With the recent announcements of The Amazing Spider-Man spin-off films from Sony Entertainment, Hollywood continues its expansive reach into the Marvel Universe.  But as the May 2^nd release date for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 approaches, Sony’s scheduled plans for future Spider-Man films have shifted.

According to Den of Geek, Matt Tolmach, producer of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, has confirmed that while The Amazing Spider-Man 3 is slated to be released May 27, 2016, the May 2018 release date for what was originally reserved for The Amazing Spider-Man 4 may now be for either Venom or Sinister Six. Both spin-off films are centered on villains within the Spider-Man canon.  The Amazing Spider-Man 4 will most likely succeed the spin-offs. This decision isn’t that surprising, considering Marc Webb – who will continue his line of directing on The Amazing Spider-Man 3 – has decided to forgo directing the fourth installment.

As we’ve said before, Drew Goddard (The Cabin in the Woods) is on board to direct Sinister Six, while Alex Kurtzman (co-writer of Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek: Into Darkness), is slated for Venom.

It is unclear how the Amazing franchise may be impacted by these spin-off films, but with Sony’s scheduling changes, one wonders if The Amazing Spider-Man 4 – or for that matter even the second and third film – may accommodate content from the spin-off films in some way.  And with the popularity of the pre-Avengers Marvel flicks (and even the pre-Avengers 2 movies like Captain America: The Winter Soldier ) and their after-credit scene teases, heed our advice and keep an eye out in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 for clues into the spin-offs.