With The Amazing Spider-Man 2 currently in production in New York, it should come as no surprise that the Spidey reboot was planned to be a trilogy.  But Sony Pictures Entertainment has just announced a fourth film in the series, setting a course for the franchise to extend over the next five years.  The next two films in the story of Peter Parker will be released on June 10, 2016, and on May 4, 2018, respectively.

With the recent comic book news dominating the entertainment world – the $125 million box office debut of Man of Steel, the questions regarding the future of the Iron Man franchise, and the casting updates for Guardians of the Galaxy – it is very easy to push Spider-Man to the back burner.  In fact, audience response to last year’s film itself was very lukewarm.  The question must be asked as to why Sony is investing so much into this franchise.

That being said, the second installment is shaping up to be more promising than its predecessor.  Directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay by Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, and Jeff Pinkner, The Amzaing Spider-Man 2 will once again feature Andrew Garfield in the titular role.  But he is joined by new villains including Electro (Jamie Foxx), the Rhino (Paul Giammati), and Chris Cooper as the Green Goblin.  Also, Emma Stone returns as Gwen Stacy, with Shailene Woodley joining the cast as Mary Jane Watson.

With Spidey 2 set to hit theaters on May 2, 2014, the announcement of sequels 3 and 4 follows word from Disney last week that the studio secured dates for two as-yet-untitled Marvel movies. One will open May 6, 2016; the other is set for release May 5, 2017.