Olivia Wilde’s Spider-Woman Film Reportedly Shelved by Sony

Whispers of a Spider-Woman film helmed by Olivia Wilde have been swirling for some time, but it appears the project has now been quietly dropped. According to the latest word from Daniel Richtman, the much-discussed collaboration between Wilde and Marvel has been shelved, with Sony opting to steer its Spider-Man universe in a new direction. Wilde herself remained tight-lipped about the whole affair during a 2022 interview, saying only,

“That, I can’t say a word about. Yeah, no — I can’t say anything about it. I have to bury myself in the couch now. I will say that I think the Marvel approach of allowing newer filmmakers to come into the fold and have access to those tools of the Marvel universe is incredibly exciting.”

Shifting Tides for Sony and Marvel

With Sony’s recent run of Spider-Man spin-offs, including Madame Web and Kraven the Hunter, coming to a close, the studio seems to be rethinking its approach. The integration of Sony’s Spider-Man and X-Men properties into the Marvel Cinematic Universe has prompted a shake-up, and Wilde’s Spider-Woman appears to be a casualty of this new strategy. The character herself, long a fan favourite, was rumoured to be either Jessica Drew or Julia Carpenter, though Jessica’s trademark sarcasm was said to be a better fit for the lead role.

For those less familiar, Spider-Woman — real name Jessica Miriam Drew — first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #32 back in 1977. Created by Archie Goodwin and Sal Buscema, she’s a genetically enhanced human whose powers include superhuman strength, agility, wall-crawling, venom blasts, pheromone manipulation, and heightened senses. Over the years, she’s been affiliated with the Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D., and even Hydra, not to mention a stint with the Skrulls during Secret Invasion. She’s also popped up in several animated series, from her own 1979 show to Ultimate Spider-Man and Marvel Rising.

Behind the Scenes: Wilde’s Recent Turbulence

Wilde’s involvement in the project came hot on the heels of her work on Don’t Worry Darling, a film that generated as much buzz for its off-screen drama as for its on-screen content. Rows with cast members, notably Florence Pugh and the sacking of Shia LeBeouf, made headlines. Wilde later explained,

“His process was not conducive to the ethos that I demand in my productions”

— a pointed remark that did little to quell the speculation.

Her personal life also found itself under the microscope, particularly after she was spotted with Harry Styles not long after her split from Jason Sudeikis. Addressing the furore, Wilde told Vogue,

“It’s obviously really tempting to correct a false narrative. But I think what you realise is that when you’re really happy, it doesn’t matter what strangers think about you. All that matters to you is what’s real, and what you love, and who you love.”

What’s Next for Wilde and Spider-Woman?

Since Don’t Worry Darling, Wilde has kept a relatively low profile in terms of directing, only recently wrapping up work on The Invite in May 2025. With the combination of personal upheaval and the shifting priorities at Marvel and Sony, it’s perhaps not all that surprising that her Spider-Woman project has been left on the cutting room floor. Whether the character will resurface in another guise remains to be seen, but for now, fans will have to wait and see what the next phase of the Spider-Man universe brings.