silver and black

SPOILER ALERT: This article includes information that may be considered SPOILERS for ‘Silver & Black’.  Turn back if you want to avoid SPOILERS!

Sony had plans to build upon its ‘Spider-Man’ franchise a few years ago, which included plans for a female-led film.  Though it was never revealed exactly which female character from the Spidey-verse was planned to be the lead, Black Cat and Silver Sable were both rumored to be possible candidates.  But after ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ fizzled, Sony put all spin-off plans on hold in order to focus on rebooting their core character.

Now that ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ has proven to be a success, Sony is reviving its former spin-off projects and revealed that their female-led film would actually star BOTH Black Cat and Silver Sable.  Gina Prince-Bythewood has signed on to direct ‘Silver & Black’ and production is expected to begin this fall.

Now it appears that the two leading heroes will have their hands full, facing off against a small army of super villains including some of Spider-Man’s most classic foes.

First up is Mendel Stromm, a.k.a. Gaunt.  This character previously appeared in Sam Rami’s ‘Spider-Man’ in which he helped develop the Green Goblin serum.  He played a similar role in the comics but in those, he went on to become a cyborg called Gaunt.

In the film, he will seemingly go through a similar evolution.  He will have a long history with Silver Sable and the people of her nation Symkaria.  In his quest to find human perfection, he performs dark experiments on the people of Symkaria.  Silver Sable is now seeking revenge on him.

As part of his quest, he devises exo-suits which lead to the next two villains…

Anton Rodriguez, The Tarantula, is a longtime Spider-Man foe.  Originally, he was simply an acrobat noted for wearing spikes on his feet.  Eventually, he evolved into the spider creature above, but it appears the film version will be a cybernetically enhanced variation on his more classic form:

Rodriguez is a member of a violent South American terrorist group, who acts as something of a right hand man to Stromm.  He uses his ladies man charm to get close to Felicia and Silver before attacking them with– yep– toe spikes.  The role is reportedly small, but is a nod to comic fans.  (Think Crossbones in ‘Captain America: Civil War’.)

Another classic Spidey villain, The Scorpion/Mac Gargan, will also in ‘Silver & Black’.  Michael Mando debuted as Gargan in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ so it’s likely he will reprise the role here, thus connecting them.

The Scorpion will be outfitted by Stromm with an exo-suit that will at least resemble the version from the comics with the long powerful tail.  He will encounter the two lead heroes and return for the film’s big final battle sequence.

It’s also believed that The Scorpion will return as a villain in the ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ sequel.

The Chameleon/Dimitri Smerdyakov was Spider-Man’s first super villain, debuting in ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ #1.  In the film, Felicia Hardy/The Black Cat, will be hiding out somewhere in South America and Silver Sable turns to Smerdyakov for information.  Though he is shown in only a few scenes, it is said that he will show off his master of disguise techniques.

Harlem gangster Lonnie Lincoln a.k.a. the super strong Tombstone shows up in pursuit of Felicia Hardy after she steals something that belongs to him and flees to South America.

On a side note, it is believed that Felicia is hiding out in Brazil, Paraguay or Argentina.

Though it is expected that ‘Silver and Black’ will go into production this fall, there is no release date.  Interestingly, Mac Gargan appeared in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ which was co-produced by Marvel and was set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s been made pretty clear that these upcoming ‘Spidey’ spin-offs will NOT.  But they are connected to ‘Homecoming’.  It’s a bit of a brain twister.

It might be worrisome that there are so many villains featured.  Too many villains have spoiled a few movies in the superhero genre… for example ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ which included The Rhino, Electro and a version of Hobgoblin.  But it sounds like Gaunt will be the main villain with the others just playing small roles.

Are you excited to see so many classic rogues getting the silver screen treatment?

Source: The Hashtag Show