Sony chief hails Spider-Man debut as proof movies still thrive

Tom Rothman, chairman of Sony Pictures, celebrated the unprecedented box-office performance of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” which pulled in $360 million domestically and $932 million worldwide, marking the biggest opening in U.S. history and the second-largest globally. He described the achievement as a sign that movies and theaters remain central to popular culture, even as streaming and pandemic-era challenges persist.

Rothman noted that while Tom Holland’s continuation as Spider-Man is not yet confirmed, the studio hopes to keep the character alive. He also said Sony has no active projects for other Marvel-related characters, though the success fuels optimism for a four-part Beatles series. The interview touched on the abandoned “Cliff Booth” sequel, which moved to Netflix after Quentin Tarantino withdrew and David Fincher, a Netflix exclusive, took over. Finally, Rothman announced plans to restore the historic Cinerama Dome to modern standards, reaffirming Sony’s commitment to the theatrical experience.