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<keyword id="19976119" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Zee" source="keywords">ZEE</keyword> Entertainment Enterprises Ltd and <keyword id="19914172" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sony" source="keywords">Sony</keyword> Pictures Networks India on Tuesday said they have settled their disputes related to the failed USD 10-billion merger and have agreed to withdraw all claims against each other. The settlement stems from a mutual understanding between the companies to independently pursue future growth opportunities with a renewed purpose and focus on the evolving media and entertainment landscape, signifying the definitive conclusion of all disputes, the two companies said in a joint statement. ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd and Culver Max Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. (CMEPL) have arrived at a comprehensive non-cash settlement, amicably resolving all disputes related to the merger co-operation agreement and the composite scheme of arrangement, it said. Under the agreement, the companies have mutually agreed to withdraw all respective claims against each other, in the ongoing arbitration at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), and all related legal proceedings initiated in the National Company Law Tribunal (<keyword id="6355809" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nclt" source="Orion">NCLT</keyword>) and other forums, it added. The companies will also withdraw the respective composite schemes of Arrangement from the NCLT and inform the relevant regulatory authorities. In January this year, Sony had pulled out from the proposed USD 10-billion merger with ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd citing failure to meet certain "closing conditions" by the Indian firm. The deal collapsed after over two years of announcing it. Subsequently, the two parties went to the courts. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/apple-iphone-16-to-be-launched-on-september-9-heres-everything-we-know-so-far/articleshow/112828818.cms">Apple iPhone 16 to be launched on September 9 – here’s everything we know so far</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/a-company-with-8-employees-looking-to-raise-12-crore-ended-up-getting-applications-worth-over-4700-crore/articleshow/112824522.cms">Delhi firm with just 8 employees seeks ₹12 crore via IPO, gets ₹4,700 crore worth of investor applications!</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/telegram-comes-under-the-scanner-in-india-for-extortion-and-gambling-will-it-be-banned-in-india/articleshow/112807370.cms">Telegram comes under the scanner in India for extortion and gambling – will it be banned in India?</a>

Zee and Sony amicably settle disputes over their failed merger, withdraw claims

Animated movie "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" will not be released in the United Arab Emirates after failing to meet the local censorship guidelines. The film, produced by Columbia Pictures and <keyword id="2952874" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="sony-pictures-animation" source="Orion">Sony Pictures Animation</keyword> in association with <keyword id="539891" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="marvel-entertainment" source="Orion">Marvel Entertainment</keyword>, was scheduled to be released on June 22. The news comes after the <keyword id="6358356" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="uae" source="Orion">UAE</keyword> Media Council stated that it would not allow the distribution of any content that violated UAE's "values and principles". "The Emirates Media Council monitors and evaluates the media content circulating locally, and the council confirms that it will not allow the circulation or publication of content contrary to the values and principles of the UAE and the standards of media content in force in the country," the statement read. "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" follows the Marvel comics character <keyword id="2329206" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="miles-morales" source="Orion">Miles Morales</keyword> and is the second movie in the "Spider-Verse" trilogy. The first film titled "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" released in 2018. According to Deadline, the point of contention was a scene featuring a transgender rights poster. Last year, Disney/Pixar's animated movie "Lightyear" was banned in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, over LGBTQ content. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-pitches-for-a-rating-upgrade-with-moodys-questions-rating-methodology/articleshow/101043574.cms">India pitches for a rating upgrade with Moody's, questions rating methodology</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/more-diagnostic-tools-for-early-detection-of-alzheimers-underway-globaldata/articleshow/101042437.cms">More diagnostic tools for early detection of Alzheimer's underway: GlobalData</a>

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<ul><li><keyword id="3441386" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sony-pictures-networks-india-private-limited" source="Orion">Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited</keyword> (SPNI) and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd have entered a definitive agreement to merge ZEEL with and into SPNI and combine their linear networks, digital assets, production operations and program libraries.</li><li><keyword id="599253" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="punit-goenka" source="Orion">Punit Goenka</keyword> will lead the combined company as its Managing Director &amp; CEO. </li><li>The majority of the board of directors of the combined company will be nominated by the Sony Group and will include the current SPNI Managing Director and CEO, NP Singh.</li></ul>Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited (SPNI) and <keyword id="381258" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="zee-entertainment-enterprises-ltd-" source="Orion">Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.</keyword> (ZEEL) today announced that they have signed definitive agreements to merge ZEEL with and into SPNI and combine their linear networks, digital assets, production operations and program libraries. The agreements follow the conclusion of an exclusive negotiation period during which ZEEL and SPNI conducted mutual due diligence. After closing, the new combined company will be publicly listed in India. The closing of the transaction is subject to certain customary closing conditions, including regulatory, shareholder, and third-party approvals. Under the terms of the definitive agreements, SPNI will have cash balance of USD $1.5 Bn (assuming an INR:USD exchange rate of 75:1) at closing, including through infusion by the current shareholders of SPNI and the promoters (founders) of ZEEL, to enable the combined company to drive sharper content creation across platforms, strengthen its footprint in the rapidly evolving digital ecosystem, bid for media rights in the fast-growing sports landscape and pursue other growth opportunities. SPNI is an indirect subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. (SPE). Under the transactions contemplated by a non-compete agreement, SPE, through a subsidiary, will pay a non-compete fee to certain promoters (founders) of ZEEL, which will be used by such promoters (founders) to infuse primary equity capital into SPNI, entitling the promoters (founders) of ZEEL to acquire shares of SPNI, which would eventually equal approximately 2.11% of the shares of the combined company on a post-closing basis. After the closing, SPE will indirectly hold a majority 50.86% of the combined company, the promoters (founders) of ZEEL will hold 3.99%, and the other ZEEL shareholders will hold a 45.15% stake. Punit Goenka will lead the combined company as its Managing Director &amp; CEO. The majority of the board of directors of the combined company will be nominated by the Sony Group and will include the current SPNI Managing Director and CEO, NP Singh. On closing, Singh will assume a broader executive position at SPE as Chairman, <keyword id="833633" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sony-pictures-india" source="Orion">Sony Pictures India</keyword> (a division of SPE) reporting to Mr. <keyword id="212528" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ravi-ahuja" source="Orion">Ravi Ahuja</keyword>, SPE’s Chairman of Global Television Studios and SPE Corporate Development. The combination of ZEEL and SPNI is expected to achieve business synergies and given their relative strengths in scripted, factual and sports programming, respective distribution footprints across India and iconic entertainment brands, the combined company should be well-positioned to meet the growing consumer demand for premium content across entertainment touchpoints and platforms. The seamless blend of rich expertise in content creation, deep consumer insights and success across entertainment genres is expected to drive the combined company’s ability to accrue higher shareholder value. Under the stewardship of the Sony Group, a global leader in consumer technologies, gaming and entertainment, the combined company is expected to be able to better compete with the world’s largest streaming players. As part of the definitive agreements, the promoters (founders) of ZEEL have agreed to limit the equity that they may own in the combined company to 20% of its outstanding shares. This construct does not provide the promoters (founders) of ZEEL any pre-emptive or other rights to acquire equity of the combined company from the Sony Group, the combined company or any other party. Any shares purchased by the promoters (founders) of ZEEL, must be in compliance with all applicable laws including any pricing guidelines. Commenting on this development, Punit Goenka, MD &amp; CEO, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. said, “It is a significant milestone for all of us, as two leading media &amp; entertainment companies join hands to drive the next era of entertainment filled with immense opportunities. The combined company will create a comprehensive entertainment business, enabling us to serve our consumers with wider content choices across platforms. I am immensely grateful to the teams at ZEEL, SPE and SPNI for their efforts, that swiftly led us to this point within the stipulated timelines. This <keyword id="42411" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="merger" source="Orion">merger</keyword> presents a significant opportunity to jointly take the businesses to the next level and drive substantial growth in the global arena. I look forward to working with the guidance of the esteemed members of the combined company’s board to unlock the potential of this merger, and I wish <keyword id="1436102" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="n-p-singh" source="Orion">N.P. Singh</keyword> all the best in his new role at SPE. His contribution to the Indian media &amp; entertainment industry has been invaluable. I am most certain that our collective wisdom, rich experience and expertise will lead to a more value accretive and exciting company for our shareholders and employees, and a more engaging one for our customers and partners.” “Today marks an important step in our efforts to bring together some of the strongest leadership teams, content creators, and film libraries in the media business to create extraordinary entertainment and value for Indian consumers,” said Ravi Ahuja, SPE’s Chairman of Global Television Studios and SPE Corporate Development. “I want to thank Punit and his team at ZEEL and the small army of people at SPE and SPNI who have worked so hard to get us to this point. I especially want to thank NP Singh, who presented us with the idea to explore this merger well over a year ago. N.P. has done extraordinary work building SPNI to what it is today, and we look forward to continuing our work with him in his new role after closing.” MD &amp; CEO, SPNI, N.P. Singh, added, “This merger will create a company that’s best in class and will redefine the contours of the media and entertainment industry. As a representative of SPE on the Board of the new merged company, it will be my endeavour to provide strategic guidance and support to the company’s operating team in achieving our vision. I am also excited at the opportunity of being appointed, Chairman, Sony Pictures India, to oversee SPE’s investments and craft a wider footprint for Sony in India.” SPE was advised on this transaction by Morgan Stanley, KPMG Corporate Finance, and Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas &amp; Co. ZEEL was advised by KPMG, JP Morgan, Trilegal and Boston Consulting Group.

Sony and Zee Entertainment sign definitive agreements to merge, Punit Goenka to lead combined company as MD & CEO

<ul><li><keyword id="3186877" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sony-pictures-networks-india" source="Orion">Sony Pictures Networks India</keyword> (SPNI) and <keyword id="174248" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="zee-entertainment-enterprises-ltd" source="Orion">Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd</keyword>. (ZEEL) have entered into an exclusive, non-binding Term Sheet to combine both companies’ linear networks, digital assets, production operations and program libraries. </li><li>The combined company would be a publicly listed company in India and be better positioned to lead the consumer transition from traditional pay TV into the digital future.</li></ul>Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) have entered into an exclusive, non-binding Term Sheet to combine both companies’ linear networks, digital assets, production operations and program libraries. The non-binding Term Sheet provides an exclusive negotiation period of 90 days during which ZEEL and SPNI will conduct mutual diligence and negotiate definitive, binding agreements. The combined company would be a publicly listed company in India and be better positioned to lead the consumer transition from traditional pay TV into the digital future. The <keyword id="42411" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="merger" source="Orion">merger</keyword> of ZEEL and SPNI would bring together two leading Indian media network businesses, benefitting consumers throughout India across content genres, from film to sports. The combined company is expected to benefit all stakeholders given strong synergies between ZEEL and SPNI. Under the terms of the non-binding Term Sheet, Sony Pictures Entertainment, the parent company of SPNI, would invest growth capital so that SPNI has a cash balance of approximately USD $1.575 billion at closing for use to enhance the combined company’s digital platforms across technology and content, ability to bid for broadcasting rights in the fast-growing sports landscape and pursue other growth opportunities. Sony Pictures Entertainment would hold a majority stake in the combined company. Current ZEEL Managing Director &amp; CEO <keyword id="599253" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="punit-goenka" source="Orion">Punit Goenka</keyword> is to lead the combined company. The combined company’s board of directors would include directors nominated by <keyword id="1192557" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sony-group" source="Orion">Sony Group</keyword> and result in Sony Group having the right to nominate the majority of the board members. It is anticipated that a final transaction would be subject to completion of customary due diligence, negotiation, and execution of definitive binding agreements, and required corporate, regulatory and third-party approvals, including ZEEL shareholder vote.

Sony Pictures Networks India and Zee Entertainment announce merger

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Warning: There are minor spoilers ahead for "<keyword id="12560624" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="uncharted" source="Orion">Uncharted</keyword>."</li><li>Sony's video game adaptation takes the blueprint of the franchise and veers it in its own direction. </li></ul>In 2020, I played through the four main "<a href="https://insider.com/category/uncharted">Uncharted</a>" video games at a breakneck pace of about six weeks. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyJ7sRru7LM">Naughty Dog's best-selling series</a> makes you the Indiana Jones of your own global treasure hunts as you shoot, solve puzzles, scale mountains, trains, and even churches on your way to glory and gold.Hungry for more, I remembered Sony was developing a film adaptation for over a decade, and I was initially thrilled, albeit, apprehensive. (Video <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2018/02/20/three-reasons-video-game-movies-always-seem-to-be-terrible/">game film adaptations can be hit or miss</a> even if their <a href="https://www.wired.com/2020/05/geeks-guide-videogame-movies/">track record's been better of late</a>). In my mind, there was only one person who could play the film's protagonist, Nathan Drake, a history buff, gun-wielding thief in his 30s: Nathan Fillion. I <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/nathan-fillion-uncharted-tom-holland-fans-twitter-upset-1541479">wasn't alone in that fan-casting</a>. Fillion seemed into the idea, making a very enjoyable <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5CZQpqF_74">14-minute fan film released in 2018</a>.So when I learned <keyword id="11932133" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="tom-holland" source="Orion">Tom Holland</keyword> was cast in the role, someone who I more or less consider my little brother, as opposed to the stud I grew to love in the video game franchise, I feared Sony got it wrong.Tom Holland, 25, didn't look old enough to play the Drake I fell in love with night after night in front of a TV screen during the pandemic. <div type="image" title="Nathan Drake video game vs Tom Holland in Uncharted movie" height="600" width="1200" msid="89691099" hostid="261"></div>Funny enough, Holland isn't the main problem with the film. He's not a perfect Nate, but if it wasn't for Holland's effortless likability, "Uncharted" would drag in its nearly two-hour runtime."Uncharted" isn't a terrible <keyword id="11897475" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="movie" source="Orion">movie</keyword> — it's enjoyable enough with a few sprawling action sequences — but the wannabe "National Treasure" is a generic action movie that never captures the full excitement of playing through the franchise. It certainly doesn't try to redefine either the video game or action genre.Instead, "Uncharted" capitalizes on the popular property to lure in a newer, younger audience who may have never played the games, originally released from 2007 to 2016.<h2>"Uncharted" plucks some of the franchise's greatest moments to remind fans they're watching a film based on the game</h2><div type="image" title="Uncharted movie vs game" height="1140" width="1200" msid="89691102" hostid="261"></div>The movie, a prequel to the entire game franchise, rewinds the clock back to when Nate (Holland) first met his longtime friend, mentor, and partner-in-crime, Victor Sullivan aka Sully (Mark Wahlberg). Though taking some influences from 2016's "Uncharted 4: A Thief's End," the film doesn't directly follow a storyline from any of the games. Instead, it invents a new fortune for Nate and Sully to track down: Ferdinand Magellan's lost ships and treasure. In the game, Nate searches for Henry Avery's lost ship.Die-hard fans of the franchise may take issue with "Uncharted" as it cherry-picks recognizable moments and levels from the franchise while not being about any of those games at all. <div type="image" title="Uncharted movie vs video game" height="1152" width="1193" msid="89691104" hostid="261"></div>The film uses specific imagery and characters from various games in the movie as if to remind fans they are indeed watching an "Uncharted" movie.The film's opening cargo plane sequence is borrowed from "Uncharted 3." An auction heist resembles the one in "Uncharted 4." A church scene brings to mind a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA5No0A_-M8">puzzle from the first game</a>, and a scene from the trailers with Magellan's ships resemble a moment of discovery in the 2016 game as well.<h2>Holland and Wahlberg are the best things about the movie in a cast that you otherwise have little reason to care for</h2><div type="image" title="Mark Wahlberg and Tom Holland in Uncharted" height="1500" width="2001" msid="89691105" hostid="261"></div>"Uncharted's" toughest sell is accepting that Holland, who just played a high schooler <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spider-man-no-way-home-1-billion-global-box-offices-2021-12">two months ago in a worldwide phenomenon</a>, is now <a href="https://i.insider.com/619642618e9bfa0019878153">playing a 25-year-old bartender</a> who gets caught up in a treasure hunt.Holland feels a bit too awkward and young to be as smooth as video game Nate. Since it's a prequel, I can be a bit forgiving that Holland's interpretation of the character is an unpolished Drake. Thankfully, Holland's so darn charming that you almost forget about that. Here, it's like he's playing an extension of his Spider-Man character.Wahlberg is the Happy Hogan to his Peter Parker. The stars' chemistry is the best thing about the film. You could easily watch the two bicker back and forth as they try and discern clues to lead them to Magellan's gold.Thank goodness for that because this isn't a film where you'll be invested in any of the other characters. So much of the film's marketing push is wisely centered around Holland — the "Spider-Man" actor did just star in the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spider-man-no-way-home-biggest-movie-us-box-office-2021-12">highest-grossing movie since 2019</a> — that you're likely unaware Antonio Banderas is the film's antagonist.<div type="image" title="Antonio Banderas Uncharted" height="5304" width="7952" msid="89691106" hostid="261"></div>That's a good thing because his star power is wasted here as he plays a rather one-dimensional, ruthless treasure hunter.Despite Tati Gabrielle ("Chilling Adventures of Sabrina") really trying as one of Sully's old flames, Jo, and Sophia Ali knocking Holland around, both of the film's actresses have been diminished to unnecessary love interests for the two leading men.Gabrielle's Jo, particularly, comes off as a vengeful ex. Both characters seem to be vague interpretations of Nadine and Chloe from the game franchise.<div type="image" title="Tati Gabrielle in &quot;Uncharted.&quot;" height="3855" width="5782" msid="89691107" hostid="261"></div>The most intriguing thing the film does is pose the question: Can thieves trust each other long enough to work together? When the film leans into that aspect it's at its most enjoyable as Sully, Nate, and the women double-cross one another with a few shocking reveals.<h2>It's not clear who this movie was made for because it's not the fans who love the games</h2>Naughty Dog claims that <a href="https://screenrant.com/uncharted-4-37-million-players-annivversary-stats/">37 million people</a> have played the latest "Uncharted" game, an experience akin to playing through an immersive movie. But nothing in the film beats the chills I experienced from a major twist in the first game. Instead, there's a moment that's so silly in the movie's third act — it gives off "Pirates of the Caribbean" vibes — that you can't help but wonder how many people working on this production ever picked up a PlayStation controller.Some of the franchise's most important aspects feel like afterthoughts or footnotes in the film. <div type="image" title="Tom Holland in Uncharted" height="3715" width="5572" msid="89691108" hostid="261"></div>This Drake can't hit moving targets with a gun, which is critical to the entire game's success. The beloved ring that Drake wears around his neck, becoming a symbol of the franchise, is shoved in your face too briefly to carry the same emotional weight as it does throughout the series. Elena, a main protagonist and Nate's eventual wife in the franchise, isn't even hinted at here.There is one nice nod to fans late in the film when Nolan North, the voice behind video game Drake, makes a brief appearance, but that feels like obvious fan service.If you're not making a video game adaptation true to its source material for the people who played the game, then who is this movie for? Personally, since the games take hours to play, I think each installment in the "Uncharted" series would have made a nice season of TV. That's what Sony's doing with one of Naughty Dog's other hits, "The Last of Us," <a href="https://www.ign.com/articles/the-last-of-us-hbo-series-wont-premiere-until-2023">on HBO</a>.<div type="image" title="Mark Wahlberg and Tom Holland in &quot;Uncharted.&quot;" height="597" width="1000" msid="89691110" hostid="261"></div>But it feels like Sony's more interested in using its "Spider-Man" actor to cash in on the casual Holland fan who may not even know what "Uncharted" is. (There is a brief, shirtless Holland in this film, which may be enough to get the Holland stans to theaters).And maybe that's enough for the studio. Likely confident in how the movie will perform, the film's ending sets up a potential sequel.If you like Holland and aren't looking for a straight adaptation, you'll enjoy this. Otherwise, stick to the games. Or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5CZQpqF_74">check out Fillion's fan film</a>."Uncharted" is in theaters Friday.<h2>C+</h2>

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<ul class="summary-list"><li>"Spider-Man: No Way Home" earned $260 million over the weekend, the second biggest domestic debut ever.</li><li>The movie is already the highest grossing movie at the US <keyword id="11957006" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="box-office" source="Orion">box office</keyword> this year.</li></ul>"Spider-Man: No Way Home," which hit theaters on Thursday, blew away expectations over the weekend, earning $260 million at the US box office.It's the second highest domestic opening ever, behind "Avengers: Endgame" ($357 million) , and ahead of "Avengers: Infinity War" ($257 million) and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" ($247 million).Heading into the weekend, Sony was projecting a $130 million debut. Some analysts projected between $150 million and $200 million.The movie also grossed $340.8 million from 60 international markets, for a worldwide total of $600 million — the third biggest global opening ever. That was without China, the world's largest theatrical market. Unlike other Marvel movies this year <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-much-money-marvel-movies-made-at-china-box-office-2021-11">that have been shut out</a> of China, "No Way Home" has been approved for release in the region, but doesn't have a release date yet."No Way Home," which was released exclusively in movie theaters, is a much-needed win for the theater industry after two years of pandemic-related upheaval.It's already the highest grossing movie of the year at the US box office.<ol><li>"Spider-Man: No Way Home" — $260 million</li><li>"Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" — $224.5 million</li><li>"Venom: Let There Be Carnage" — $212.4 million</li><li>"Black Widow" — $183.6 million (released simultaneously on Disney+ Premier Access)</li><li>"F9: The Fast Saga" — $173.0 million</li></ol>Globally, the movie is still behind three Chinese movies and two <keyword id="11895191" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="hollywood" source="Orion">Hollywood</keyword> releases this year, but is on pace to top them.<ol><li>"The Battle at Lake Changjin" — $902.5 million</li><li>"Hi, Mom" — $822.0 million</li><li>"No Time to Die" — $773.7 million</li><li>"F9: The Fast Saga" — $726.2 million</li><li>"Detective Chinatown 3" — $686.2 million</li><li>"Spider-Man: No Way Home" — $600 million</li></ol>"No Way Home's" success doesn't mean the theatrical business has fully recovered. Even the most successful movies this year have underperformed compared to pre-pandemic numbers. And adult dramas, from "The Last Duel" to "West Side Story," <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/west-side-story-wont-be-on-disney-plus-after-flopping-2021-12">have struggled</a> as older moviegoers have been slow to return to cinemas.

'Spider-Man: No Way Home' is already the biggest movie of the year at the US box office after just 4 days

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Warning: There are major spoilers ahead for "Spider-Man: No Way Home."</li><li>A big on-screen team up fans have been hoping for happens in the latest "Spider-Man" installment.</li></ul>"<a href="https://www.insider.com/category/spider-man-no-way-home">Spider-Man: No Way Home</a>," now in theaters, finally answers the question every fan has been wondering for months on end: Are Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire reprising their previous "Spider-Man" roles in the film?Despite Garfield's many <a href="https://youtu.be/vaNa34yEEWs?t=216">emphatic</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErEDTBpYRC0">and almost believable</a>, <a href="https://www.insider.com/andrew-garfield-spider-man-no-way-home-rumors-denies-involvement-2021-9">denials</a> (he should really be given an award), yes, he and Maguire make a triumphant return in the latest "Spider-Man" installment.Why would we spoil that on the film's opening night? Let's be real. If you spend any time online, their appearance in the film is probably one of the worst-kept Hollywood secrets in years. The three <a href="https://www.insider.com/tom-holland-tobey-maguire-andrew-garfield-group-chat-2021-12">sh</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/tom-holland-tobey-maguire-andrew-garfield-group-chat-2021-12">are a group text</a>, Maguire <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgNhRjo-bfA">reportedly told a fan he was returning</a>, and, over the past few weeks, there were <a href="https://thedirect.com/article/spider-man-3-no-way-home-tobey-maguire-andrew-garfield-sony-leaks-john-campea">very real leaked images online</a> that Sony tried (and failed) to scrub from existence. That's just a few <a href="https://www.insider.com/3rd-spider-man-title-tobey-maguire-andrew-garfield-theories-explained-2021-2">of the many clues</a> that led fans to figure out the reveals far in advance.That in itself is fascinating. I can't think of the last time I've gone into a blockbuster film where nearly every major twist or surprise has been revealed beforehand. It's wild and, frankly, a bit sad. The reveal of three Spider-Men sharing the screen together would've been a better surprise sans spoilers because the returns are handled so well — it doesn't feel contrived or like it was done solely to generate box-office dollars (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/nov/05/andrew-garfield-i-dont-think-i-present-as-goody-goody">which isn't how it always felt with these Spidey films</a>).For those who don't plan on seeing the film, but still want to be a part of the pop-culture conversation, here's, quickly, how the reveals come to pass. <h2>How Garfield and Maguire end up in 'No Way Home': A spell gone wrong.</h2><div type="image" title="Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield Spider-Man" height="600" width="1200" msid="88330649" hostid="261"></div>Peter Parker (<keyword id="11932133" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="tom-holland" source="Orion">Tom Holland</keyword>) seeks out Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) at the film's start when everyone learns he's Spider-Man. Strange casts a spell to make people forget Parker's the web-slinger. Unfortunately, it doesn't go as planned. Anyone who knows Peter Parker is Spider-Man starts popping up onto their Earth. As a result, villains from every previous live-action "Spider-Man" film (Maguire and Garfield's) start appearing in their universe. Of course, that's not limited to just villains.As Peter tries and wrangles up some of the villains, Ned (Jacob Batalan) and MJ (Zendaya) wait to hear from Peter. When they don't, they start to worry. Ned is conveniently holding onto Doctor Strange's sling ring, a device that allows him to open up portals to travel to other locations.When Ned says he wishes they knew where Peter was, he accidentally opens a portal right to him. Spider-Man, in a dark alley, walks through the portal. MJ and Ned immediately realize this isn't their Spider-Man. He's wearing a different suit.The man removes his mask to show he's Garfield's version of Peter Parker from "The Amazing Spider-Man" movies.<div type="image" title="Andrew Garfield TASM" height="1186" width="2373" msid="88330650" hostid="261"></div>After Garfield's Peter proves he's a version of Spider-Man (it involves some web-crawling), Ned tries to use the sling ring again to find their Peter. This time, Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker (not dressed as Spider-Man) walks through a portal. It turns out both Spider-Men were just aimlessly wandering around the MCU universe. When Maguire and Garfield's characters first make eye contact, it leads to a fun moment where they try and disarm one another, skeptical that the other may be an imposter.The reintroduction of the two web-slingers was so well done because fans likely would've expected Garfield and Maguire's first scene on-screen to be with Holland's Spider-Man.Instead, it's with Peter's two best friends, which makes it more meaningful. If you've watched every "Spider-Man" film, it's tough to not get emotional watching the moment and seeing the two Spider-Men interact for the first time. <h2>The inclusion of the 3 Spider-Men doesn't feel like a corporate gimmick or grand cameo. It's a strength of 'NWH.'</h2><div type="image" title="Tom Holland as Peter Parker in &quot;Spider-Man: No Way Home.&quot;" height="1194" width="2880" msid="88330651" hostid="261"></div>The idea of putting every live-action Spider-Man in a <keyword id="11897475" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="movie" source="Orion">movie</keyword> is exciting, but only if it's executed right and with good intention. It's very easy to get these things wrong if it comes across as anything less than genuine. A perfect example is this year's "Space Jam" sequel. WB <a href="https://gizmodo.com/space-jam-a-new-legacys-most-wtf-cameos-from-the-new-t-1846620670">stuffed so much</a> <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/space-jam-a-new-legacy-every-intellectual-property-cameo">of its recognizable IP into the film</a>, that it felt silly.Many of the characters who appear in a basketball-game crowd weren't the original actors who played the roles.<a href="https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/how-space-jam-a-new-legacy-recreated-classic-warner-bros-characters-like-penguin-and-the-mask">According to Cinemablend</a>, a team of artists was brought in to make up nearly 300 people to look like the real deal.As a result, look-alikes of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Mr. Freeze, Danny DeVito's Penguin, the Night King, and more resembled doppelgangers dressed in "Party City" costumes instead of the genuine ensemble. It was weird, extremely noticeable, and felt like a cheap nostalgia play to toy with the audience's emotions. <div type="image" title="Space Jam 2 cameos" height="814" width="1894" msid="88330652" hostid="261"></div>"No Way Home" gets it right because Sony brought back all the same actors who played these villain and hero roles over two decades. That shows a dedication to doing right by your audience instead of simply recasting them or retconning the characters to be different versions than what people remember.Further, Maguire and Garfield don't appear on-screen for a simple cameo or a few scenes, which would have been a massive letdown. Instead, they play significant roles in the "Spider-Man" sequel.They help guide and shape Holland's Spider-Man into learning the life lessons he needs so he can move forward as a solo superhero, one who's guided by the most important Spidey principle: With great power comes great responsibility.<div type="image" title="Tobey Maguire Spider-Man" height="953" width="1830" msid="88330653" hostid="261"></div>That's something no Avenger could have taught Peter.Every moment on-screen with the three Spider-Men is a highlight. Their inclusion leads to fun Spidey discussions, like the different ways in which their webs work and the coolest villains they've ever fought. The latter, in turn, leads Garfield's Spidey to feel lame compared to the other two and they reassure him that's not the case at all.It's a rather sweet moment of vulnerability and shows that they're not solely in "No Way Home" to prop up Holland's character.The movie offers much-needed closure for fans who felt deprived of a fourth Maguire-led "Spider-Man" film or an abrupt end to Garfield's <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2020/05/02/spider-man-sony-marvel-venom-morbius/?sh=65f8fe33202d">underperforming</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/sep/11/andrew-garfield-studio-the-amazing-spider-man-2-sequel">entries</a>. They both get rounds with their own villains. Garfield, in particular, stands out here almost more than in his two standalone Spidey films.He looks so unbelievably excited to be donning the suit again that it's a shame we'll likely never see him play the role once more because of how the film wraps up. <h2>This crossover may inspire other studios to attempt something similar. It would be a mistake if we never saw Garfield, Maguire, and Holland again together on-screen.</h2><div type="image" title="Andrew Garfield The Amazing Spider-Man" height="1192" width="2880" msid="88330654" hostid="261"></div>The bond between the three Spider-Men on-screen feels like that of three brothers. Maguire is the older, wiser, and most responsible one of the group. Garfield is the cool, adventurous brother who needs some added affection (He's lost more people than the others). Holland is the little brother who could use two solid, selfless mentors without ego (see: Iron Man, Doctor Strange) to guide him.Their interactions felt like one of those fun CW crossover events that are must-see TV every year when the heroes from various DC shows unite. (That's not a knock, but there's not much else to compare it to.) Crossovers have been popular for some time on TV and in animation. Soap operas used them to help bring in ratings during <a href="https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/sweeps-week">sweeps weeks</a> (four different times of the year where ratings services like Nielsen measure TV audiences).Other than some animated features, it's taken longer for Hollywood to warm up to something similar in live-action to attract audiences to theaters.It really took 2018's gamble, the animated "<a href="https://www.insider.com/spider-man-into-the-spider-verse-review-2018-11">Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse</a>" which allows multiple Spider-People to share the spotlight, to prove that there's an appetite for seeing these crossover adventures on the big screen as well.2019's record-setting "<a href="https://insider.com/category/avengers-endgame">Avengers: Endgame,</a>" which brought just about every one of Marvel Studios' characters together, signified that an interconnected universe had far more reach than a standalone movie. It earned <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/avengers-endgame-crosses-2-billion-worldwide-2019-5">over $2 billion worldwide</a>. The biggest mistake "No Way Home" makes is seemingly closing the door on the possibility of Holland, Garfield, and Maguire's Spider-Men reuniting again at a time where other superhero franchises are becoming more interconnected.At the film's end, Maguire and Garfield's Spideys return home to their own universes with their respective villains.WB's upcoming "The Flash" looks like it may do something similar when it reintroduces Michael Keaton's Batman in some capacity. Reports indicate that Ben Affleck's Batman may appear there as well.Disney and Marvel have an extremely <a href="https://www.insider.com/disney-plus-marvel-shows-2019-4">connected show</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/marvel-movie-release-date-schedule-2020-4">movie universe</a> that continues to expand.<div type="image" title="Batman and Supergirl in The Flash" height="600" width="1200" msid="88330655" hostid="261"></div>Because of how "No Way Home" ends, with everyone forgetting Peter Parker's existence, it's unclear what Spidey's future is in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.He could be back, but he could stay solo (something that's rather convenient for how Disney and Sony want to share Spidey moving forward).If the latter is the case, Sony has the built-in audience to continue its own live-action "Spider-Verse." It would be pretty awesome if every third Spider-Man film saw a reprisal of the three together again in the way that the Avengers all team up after their solo films.

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