Immigration attorneys predict that the H-1B registrations this year (FY 2027) will be around 200K.

Immigration lawyers predict that the total number of H-1B cap registrations for FY 2027 will further drop to around 200k as many companies stayed away from registering for H-1B petitions because of the $100,000 fee. The wage-based selection process, which is being implemented for the first time this year, will impact the selection but not the number of registrations so much, immigration attorneys Rahul Reddy and Emily Neumann predicted in their weekly visa update, pegging the number to be around 200k to 250k.In the last three years, the number of total registrations fell sharply: 780, 884 in 2024; 479, 943 in 2025; 358,737 in 2026. The USCIS has not disclosed the exact number of registrations it received.

H-1B lottery update: When are the results expected?

The registration window was open from March 4 to March 19 for employers to submit electronic registrations for candidates whom they want to hire on H-1B visas. This was not the petition; this was just the registration for the candidates. If these candidates are not in the US, then the employer would have to shell out a $100,000 fee if they are selected. If these candidates are already in the US, on OPT, then the fee would not be applicable. The results are expected by March 31. There is no public list but the employers are informed directly by USCIS. The petition filing window is from April 1 to June 30, and the earlier employment for the approved H-1Bs will start on October 1, in the new fiscal year. In the lottery, USCIS will select 65,000 eligible applicants, and so the number of total registrations gives applicants an idea of how much chance they have to get selected.

Who has to pay $100,000 fee?

The employer has to pay $100,00 fee if a petition filed for an H-1B candidate involves consular notification, port of entry notification or pre-flight inspection — meaning if the individual is outside the US. the fee does not apply when a visa applicant files to move from one type of visa to another, such as from an F-1 visa for non-US students to H-1B status.

For years, the relationship between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures has felt like a balancing act—one that fans have watched closely as both companies navigated the future of Spider-Man on the big screen. While Marvel built its interconnected universe, Sony took a different path, carving out its own corner of the Spider-Man mythos with projects that didn’t rely on the MCU’s larger narrative.

That approach led to a wave of standalone films, spin-offs, and animated ventures that allowed Sony to experiment in ways Marvel often couldn’t. Some of those bets paid off. Others… not so much.

Now, after years of building one of its most successful franchises, Sony has quietly confirmed that a major chapter is coming to an end—and it’s a decision that signals a bigger shift in strategy moving forward.

When Experimentation Didn’t Pay Off

Sony’s independent Spider-Man universe has had its fair share of struggles. While the idea of expanding the world beyond Peter Parker sounded promising on paper, execution hasn’t always landed the way the studio hoped.

Films like Kraven the Hunter (2024) and Madame Web (2024) were meant to deepen the universe and introduce new characters to audiences. Instead, they became examples of how difficult it is to build momentum without a central anchor like Spider-Man himself.

Critics and audiences alike questioned the direction of these projects. The tone felt inconsistent. The storytelling lacked cohesion. And perhaps most importantly, fans struggled to connect with characters who were introduced without the emotional foundation that makes Spider-Man stories resonate in the first place.

As those films underperformed, it became clear that Sony needed to lean into what was actually working.

The One Corner That Truly Delivered

Despite the mixed results of its live-action efforts, Sony found undeniable success in two key areas. The first was the Venom series, starting with Venom (2018) and continuing with Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021). Those films embraced a more chaotic, character-driven tone and connected with audiences in a way other projects couldn’t.

But even those successes didn’t quite reach the level Sony achieved in animation.

That’s where Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) changed everything.

The film didn’t just succeed—it redefined what superhero animation could look like. Its bold visual style, emotional storytelling, and introduction of Miles Morales created something that felt fresh in a genre that was starting to feel familiar.

Then came Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023), which expanded that world even further. It took bigger risks, introduced more characters, and pushed the narrative into deeper, more personal territory. Fans didn’t just enjoy it—they invested in it.

For a while, it looked like this animated universe might be Sony’s strongest long-term play.

The Cancellation of a Defining Franchise

That’s what makes this latest update so significant.

Sony has now confirmed that the Spider-Verse saga, as fans know it, is coming to a close. While anticipation continues to build for Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (2027), the studio has made it clear that this film will serve as the conclusion to a specific era.

During a conversation on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast with Josh Horowitz, producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller confirmed that the upcoming third installment will wrap up the core trilogy centered on Miles Morales.

They emphasized that Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (2027) is designed to bring this story to a definitive close. In their words, it marks the end of the “Miles Morales trilogy,” signaling that the narrative arc fans have followed since 2018 is reaching its final chapter.

That confirmation effectively cancels the continuation of the main Spider-Verse storyline beyond this trilogy—a surprising move considering how successful and beloved the series has been.

A Future That Looks Very Different

Even though this particular story is ending, Sony isn’t stepping away from the Spider-Verse entirely. Instead, the studio appears to be shifting its focus from continuation to expansion.

New projects are already in development, including a Spider-Noir series starring Nicolas Cage as a version of Ben Reilly. That project is set to debut on Amazon Prime Video on May 27, 2026, giving fans a completely different take on the Multiverse.

Beyond that, Sony is exploring spinoff films centered on characters who broke out during the Spider-Verse run. Spider-Gwen and Spider-Punk are both expected to headline their own stories, reflecting how strongly audiences connected with them in the previous films.

This approach allows Sony to keep the universe alive without relying on a single central storyline. It also opens the door for new creative directions, tones, and audiences.

And while Miles Morales may no longer lead the charge, that doesn’t mean he disappears entirely. The Multiverse concept allows different versions of Miles to appear in future projects, depending on how Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (2027) concludes.

There’s also the lingering dynamic between Miles and Gwen. Their relationship has been a core emotional thread throughout the trilogy, and it’s easy to imagine that continuing in future spin-offs—especially if timelines overlap or intersect.

The Bigger Spider-Man Picture

Of course, the Spider-Verse isn’t the only Spider-Man story Sony is working on right now.

The studio is continuing its partnership with Marvel Studios for the next chapter of the live-action saga, with Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) set to hit theaters this July. That film will once again feature Tom Holland as Peter Parker, keeping the MCU-connected version of the character front and center.

This dual approach—animated spin-offs alongside MCU collaborations—gives Sony flexibility. It allows them to explore different storytelling styles while still maintaining a connection to one of the most popular superhero franchises in the world.

And with projects like Spider-Noir expanding into streaming, it’s clear Sony isn’t scaling back. It’s simply evolving.

Closing One Door, Opening Several Others

On the surface, it might feel like Sony is canceling one of its most successful franchises just as it reached its peak. But when you look closer, the decision feels more like a pivot than a shutdown.

The Spider-Verse trilogy told a complete story. It introduced a new Spider-Man to the world, redefined animation in the superhero genre, and built a passionate fanbase along the way. Ending that story on its own terms gives it a sense of finality that many franchises never achieve.

At the same time, Sony is setting itself up for a future that’s less dependent on a single narrative and more open to experimentation.

For fans, that creates a mix of emotions. There’s excitement about what’s coming next, but also a sense of nostalgia knowing that this particular journey is nearing its end.

When Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (2027) finally arrives, it won’t just be another sequel. It will mark the conclusion of one of the most influential superhero trilogies of its generation—and the beginning of something entirely new.

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