Activision webs up Spider-Man movie rights through 2017

By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpot
Posted Nov 29, 2005 1:20 pm PT

Publisher retains exclusive rights to games based on the archarachnid's cinematic exploits.

While director Sam Raimi's Spider-Man series of movies is only scheduled through 2007's Spider-Man 3, it's a safe assumption that Sony Pictures will extend the property beyond that. How safe? Activision today announced that it has secured the rights to make games based on subsequent Spider-Man sequels or new TV shows through 2017. The company made games based on the first two films, and was already the rights holder for games based on Spider-Man 3.

Activision adds the long-term Spidey film rights to its mix of mighty Marvel properties. Earlier this month, word arrived that Activision secured the licenses to create games based on the X-Men and Spider-Man comics, also through 2017. The most recent Spider-Man game, the multiplatform Ultimate Spider-Man, was based on the comic books rather than the films.

"Given their performance and long-term commitment to the franchise, as well as their creative excellence, Activision is the ideal partner for movie-based Spider-Man games, a business that complements our recent extension of their interactive license for 'classic' Spider-Man," said Tim Rothwell, worldwide president of Marvel Entertainment's consumer media group.

Activision has made superhero games a regular fixture in its product lineup. In addition to games featuring Spider-Man and the X-Men, the company has created games based on the Fantastic Four and Iron Man properties in recent years.

16 Comments

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lilweightlifter
Posted Nov 30, 2005 3:55 pm GMT

I think that they will eventually get the games right with all the experience they will have down the road.
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NeoJedi
Posted Nov 30, 2005 12:26 pm GMT

Man... if there's a Spidey film every 3-4 years, that means 3-4 other bad, bad games... hmmm...
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Terminator14
Posted Nov 30, 2005 7:36 am GMT

Well it looks like comics books alone, and games and shows could get much mroe interesting with the decade.
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stealthatbase
Posted Nov 29, 2005 5:50 pm GMT

its not like Valve was going to grab the license, through that would have been cool!
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dmn_link
Posted Nov 29, 2005 4:38 pm GMT

NOOOOOOOO! Why you ACTIVISION!!!? WHYYYYYY !!!! ?
More bad spider man for 12 years !!!
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lostinwallmart8
Posted Nov 29, 2005 3:58 pm GMT

i hope there is at lest one good one by then
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bdub20791
Posted Nov 29, 2005 3:32 pm GMT

ughhhhhh...
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r9tgokunks
Posted Nov 29, 2005 3:18 pm GMT

I hope it goes on for later .
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cappimofo
Posted Nov 29, 2005 2:54 pm GMT

So this means that we will have bad spiderman games till at least 2017, right?
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shaddix55
Posted Nov 29, 2005 2:50 pm GMT

How do you know Activision is best with the series? No other company has been able to obtain a license to make the games. I personally think Spider-Man 1 was a waste of my money, and Spider-Man 2..Well, it was fun. Ultimate Spider-Man packed a punch but I still think it is overrated. EA is not that bad of a gaming company. I love the EA Sports games and I like their regular games, too.
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pdogg2777
Posted Nov 29, 2005 2:41 pm GMT

Spiderman 2 is still one of my favorite games to play on a regular bases. I love the game and I'm glad to hear Activision keeps the licenses. They seem to be able to work the best with Spidey and yea, it'll be great I'm sure.
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vicelibertydre
Posted Nov 29, 2005 2:13 pm GMT

Who cares? Spider-man 1 and 2 are overrated. I have no doubt that Spider-man 3-8 will be overrated as well. Then they'll extend it and we'll have to suffer trough Spider-man 9-20. Oh wait, we are talking about games here. Never mind.
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radiationkid
Posted Nov 29, 2005 2:00 pm GMT

thank god EA didn't get the license.....
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wtroutman
Posted Nov 29, 2005 1:45 pm GMT

Spiderman's first comic was in 1962, whats another 12 years.
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umbrae
Posted Nov 29, 2005 1:41 pm GMT

They made Spider-man games over 12 years ago, so probably...
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bored88
Posted Nov 29, 2005 1:37 pm GMT

Are they really still going to be making spider-man games twelve years from now?
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