The 'Spider-Man Leaves the MCU' meme emerged in August 2019 following a breakdown in negotiations between Sony Pictures and Disney over the future of the Spider-Man film franchise. The news sparked a massive wave of internet outrage and humor, as fans used images of Tom Holland's Spider-Man to depict him being forcibly removed from his superhero friends. The meme typically symbolizes a messy 'divorce' between two entities, with Spider-Man caught in the middle. While the deal was eventually saved, the template remains a staple for expressing corporate greed, custody battles, or any situation where a fan-favorite is snatched away.