Marc Webb‘s is well into production on The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and Sony must like what they are seeing because they have announced release dates for The Amazing Spider Man 3 and The Amazing Spider-Man 4. This also shows the amount of confidence the studio has in this highly anticipated sequel. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 opens in theaters May 2, 2014, which will be followed by The Amazing Spider-Man 3 opening on June 10, 2016, and The Amazing Spider-Man 4 opening on May 4, 2018.

Announcing these release dates only adds to the rumor that the studio wants to create a Spider-Man Cinematic Universe, and that each film will build up to the Sinister Six. We’ve already seen some photos of Jamie Foxx as Electro, and Paul Giamatti as the Rhino. Then there is the rumor that Colm Feore could be the Vulture. The sequel also has Chris Cooper playing Norman Osborne, who could end up being the Green Goblin. Finally there’s Dane Dehaan who plays Harry Osborne, who could also end up following in his father’s footsteps.

Here’s what Jeff Blake, Chairman, Worldwide Marketing and Distribution for Sony Pictures, had to say about the announcement:

So it makes sense that we see The Amazing Spider-Man 4 in the announcement, if the Sinister Six are to be featured as rumored. Having more films will ease the pressure of having too many villains in one film for the sake of making the Sinister Six. Looking at it, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 has the potential to have four villains in one film, and I don’t think fans want to be inundated with that amount of villainy.

[Source: Sony Pictures]