Sony Pictures has reportedly pulled the plug on further Spider-Man spinoff films following a string of underperforming releases in its Sony Spider-Man Universe (SSU). The decision comes after titles like Morbius, Madame Web, and the recent Venom: The Last Dance failed to deliver strong box office results. With the imminent release of Kraven: The Hunter, Sony appears to be reassessing its strategy to salvage the Spider-Man franchise.
The Fall of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe
Sony’s attempt to craft a villain-centric cinematic universe without Spider-Man has faced severe setbacks. While the Venom trilogy initially showed promise, with the first film grossing $856 million, subsequent installments saw diminishing returns, with Venom: The Last Dance earning only $472.8 million globally. Titles like Morbius and Madame Web performed even worse, grossing a mere $167 million and $100 million, respectively.
The trend reflects growing audience fatigue with lackluster scripts and repetitive plotlines. Critics and fans alike pointed out that many SSU films lacked depth, relying heavily on CGI action sequences and generic storytelling.
Kraven: The Hunter’s Struggles
Sony’s latest release, Kraven: The Hunter, hasn’t been spared. Despite efforts to spark interest, including releasing the first nine minutes of the film online, early reviews have been scathing, with Kraven earning a dismal 14% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film has been criticized for its lack of originality and over-reliance on predictable tropes, such as exaggerated action scenes and superficial character development.
What’s Next for Sony and Spider-Man?
With the SSU faltering, Sony appears to be shifting its focus back to projects that directly involve Spider-Man. Upcoming ventures like Spider-Man 4 and the continuation of the Into the Spider-Verse franchise are expected to rejuvenate audience interest. Sony may also revisit its approach to standalone films, opting for stories with stronger connections to Spider-Man himself.