With Sony Pictures Entertainment now in production in New York on The Amazing Spider-Man 2, slated for release on May 2, 2014, the studio is planting its flag on two future release dates for one of the most successful franchises in studio history, it was announced today by Jeff Blake, Chairman, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution for Sony Pictures. The next two films in the story of Peter Parker (The Amazing Spider-Man 3 and The Amazing Spider-Man 4) will be released on June 10, 2016, and on May 4, 2018, respectively.

Commenting on the announcement, Blake had this to say.

"Spider-Man is our most important, most successful, and most beloved franchise, so we're thrilled that we are in a position to lock in these prime release dates over the next five years."

The next question is: Who will be the villains of The Amazing Spider-Man 3 and The Amazing Spider-Man 4. With Electro, Rhino, and the Green Goblin appearing in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, are we seeing the ground work laid for the first on-screen appearance of the Sinister 6?

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & Jeff Pinkner, with a previous draft by James Vanderbilt, and based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach are the producers. The executive producers are E. Bennett Walsh, Stan Lee, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci.

The Amazing Spider-Man took in over $750 million at the worldwide box office last year.