Get ready for a thrilling journey into the world of Sony's unmade masterpiece, Silver & Black: The Team-up That Never Was. With Black Cat back in the spotlight, we're delving into the intriguing plot that could have been, and trust me, it's a wild ride!
In the late 2010s, Sony Pictures seemed determined to bring us a unique collaboration between Silver Sable and Black Cat, paving the way for an all-female superhero team. But here's where it gets controversial... even after greenlighting projects like Morbius and Madame Web, Sony ultimately decided to scrap this ambitious venture, leaving fans wondering what might have been.
Silver & Black's Leaked Plot: A Tale of Two Heroes
The movie was primarily focused on Silver Sable, a bounty hunter working for the U.S. Department of Justice, who was hot on the trail of Felicia Hardy, aka Black Cat. In a twist of fate, Black Cat had undergone an experimental surgery at the hands of Dr. Mendel Stromm, gaining enhanced abilities that could boost her already impressive skill set. It's unclear if she became the unlucky Domino, but it seems her strength and speed were amplified.
Silver Sable's Personal Vendetta
Black Cat escaped from Stromm, utilizing her newfound powers, and fled to South America. Meanwhile, Silver Sable had her own reasons for wanting to capture Felicia. You see, Stromm, using his alias Gaunt, was responsible for the death of Sable's father, Ernst Sablinova, and the torture of many Symkarians, the people of Sable's fictional homeland. Sable planned to use Hardy as bait to lure Gaunt out and exact her revenge.
The Wild Pack: A Mercenary Reunion
For fans of Silver Sable's comic book adventures, the Wild Pack needs no introduction. This group of skilled mercenaries has a rich history in the comics, initially formed by Sable's father. In Silver & Black, Dominic Fortune took center stage, having worked with both Ernst and Sable before joining the U.S. Department of Justice. Under the guidance of Agent Mark Sim, it seemed we were getting a revamped version of this iconic team. The inclusion of Sim is particularly intriguing, as his comic book counterpart, Haechi, a NuHuman, first appeared in New Warriors in 2014.
Ties to Spider-Man's Universe
When Silver & Black was in the works, there were likely no plans to intertwine it with Spider-Man's story in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, the leaked plot reveals that Sable and Fortune, potentially joined by a team resembling the Wild Pack, were on a mission to track down Black Cat and take down Gaunt. To achieve this, Sable reached out to her contact in the Tri-Border region of South America, Dimitri Smerdyakov, better known as Chameleon, a classic Spider-Man villain. Would this Chameleon be the same one we met in Spider-Man: Far From Home or Kraven the Hunter? Sony's plans for this character remain a mystery.
The Chameleon: An Unexpected Ally?
This take on Chameleon was reportedly a man on the run from his past, with a reputation in the Tri-Border area as a well-informed source. Surprisingly, he wasn't meant to be a full-fledged villain but rather a mercenary ally to Silver Sable. Chameleon's role in Silver & Black was limited, but he was set to assist Sable in finding Felicia, showcasing his mastery of disguise. Some fans might argue he deserved more screen time, but it seems this movie was intended as an introduction or a fan service cameo.
Scorpion and Tarantula: Familiar Faces
As the story unfolded, more recognizable characters from Spider-Man's world were set to make an appearance. Gaunt, after Felicia ruined his plans, intended to add her to his gang of surgically enhanced villains. Mac Gargan (Scorpion) and Anton Rodriguez (Tarantula) were tasked with chasing her down in South America. Both villains were enhanced, with Gargan donning a full exoskeleton suit and Rodriguez sporting a boot with razor-sharp upgrades. It seems they were more like generic henchmen, so expecting an exact comic book replica might have been optimistic.
Tombstone: A Familiar Foe
Black Cat's criminal past meant that Gaunt wasn't the only one after her. Lonnie Lincoln, better known as Tombstone, had a bone to pick with Felicia. He intended to put an end to her, but his role seemed limited to a cameo. Was it worth including him? Well, it appears Sony might have been setting up another classic character for a bigger role later on.
An Action-Packed Finale
With Silver Sable and Black Cat being pursued by Scorpion and Tarantula, they joined forces for an action-packed final act, including a thrilling train set piece. Tarantula was eventually taken out, but Scorpion managed to capture Felicia and deliver her to Gaunt, taking great pleasure in torturing her after being defeated by the two leads. Teaming up with Fortune, Sable infiltrated Gaunt's lab and finally exacted her revenge, saving her newfound ally. This is where the story takes an unexpected twist.
A Female Superhero Squad
Silver & Black reportedly ended with the titular characters assembling an all-female team of heroes, consisting of Spider-Woman, Jackpot, Stunner, and Dusk. Described as a "female version of the Dirty Dozen," this team was a tease for both solo projects and a potential future Avengers-style movie. Casting these characters for a cameo and then developing their stories would have been a massive undertaking, but it's hard not to imagine the potential of such a scene.
Norman Osborn: The Rumored Role
Early on, there were talks of Norman Osborn appearing in Silver & Black. While fans crave another clash between Osborn and Spider-Man, Marvel Studios seems focused on using villains not featured in previous movies (except for Spider-Man: No Way Home). In an early draft, Osborn funded Stromm's work, with Charles Standish serving as his messenger. The future Green Goblin would have made a silent appearance. However, once Marvel Studios showed interest in the character, both Osborn and Standish were reportedly removed, likely to prioritize Willem Dafoe's return as the Variant in the hugely successful threequel.
And this is the part most people miss... Sony's decision to scrap Silver & Black left us with a unique opportunity to explore new directions for these characters. What do you think? Should Sony revisit this project, or is it better left as a what-if scenario? Let's discuss in the comments!
