In the wake of a disappointing 2024 for Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU), the fate of the franchise hangs in the balance. Since its inception with the 2018 release of ‘Venom,’ the SSU has struggled to match the acclaim and popularity of other superhero franchises, such as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, X-Men, and DC Extended Universe. The series culminated in December 2024 with the underwhelming release of ‘Kraven the Hunter.’ However, a fresh strategy could revitalize the SSU, allowing it to emerge even stronger than before.
A Reevaluation is Essential for Sony’s Spider-Man Universe
A Year Marked by Discontent: 2024
In 2024, Sony released three films within the SSU: ‘Madame Web,’ ‘Venom: The Last Dance,’ and ‘Kraven the Hunter.’ While ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ received some positive reviews, the overall response to Sony’s offerings was notably disheartening. Both ‘Madame Web’ and ‘Kraven the Hunter’ failed to resonate with audiences, prompting the announcement that the current iteration of the SSU would draw to a close following the latter’s release.
| SSU Movie | Release Date | Box Office |
|---|---|---|
| Venom | October 5, 2018 | $856.1 million |
| Venom: Let There Be Carnage | October 1, 2021 | $506.8 million |
| Morbius | April 1, 2022 | $167.5 million |
| Madame Web | February 14, 2024 | $100.5 million |
| Venom: The Last Dance | October 25, 2024 | $478 million |
| Kraven the Hunter | December 13, 2024 | $59.4 million (as of January 12) |
With dwindling box office numbers and a tarnished reputation, many fans may find it fortuitous that this chapter of the SSU is concluding. Nevertheless, Sony holds the film rights to a plethora of iconic Marvel characters. Therefore, rather than allowing these characters to remain dormant, I propose a comprehensive restructuring of the SSU. The new direction should emphatically spotlight Spider-Man, focusing less on supporting characters and adversaries.
Embracing Spider-Man Variants for a Revitalized Narrative
More Than Just Peter Parker: The Wealth of Spider-Man Characters
A significant area of criticism aimed at Sony’s Spider-Man Universe lies in its failure to introduce its own version of Spider-Man. Though ‘Madame Web’ hinted at Peter Parker’s origins, it ultimately left audiences wanting more. I strongly believe that the SSU should pivot its focus exclusively on Spider-Man, but crucially, not just Peter Parker. There is a cornucopia of Spider-People across various dimensions that deserve the spotlight in live-action adaptations.
Sony’s animated Spider-Verse franchise has already showcased some of these intriguing characters, each with unique backstories that span diverse and imaginative settings. By directing the SSU towards exploring these Spider-Man variants, Sony could unleash virtually limitless storytelling potential. Each new release could introduce a different wall-crawler, thereby significantly expanding the universe.
Anticipation Mounts for Spider-Noir’s Role in the New Direction
Nicolas Cage’s Spider-Noir Could Pave the Way for New Storylines
Nicolas Cage’s Spider-Man Noir first appeared in 2018’s ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ and made a cameo in ‘Across the Spider-Verse.’ Now confirmed to headline his own live-action series, I’m ecstatic about the potential trajectory this project could take. Not only does this series mark a new step for Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, but it also immerses viewers in an alternate 1930s reality that could redefine storytelling within the franchise.
The Spider-Noir series is anticipated to set a precedent for future adaptations of characters such as Jessica Drew’s Spider-Woman, Spider-Man 2099, Spider-Punk, and Gwen Stacy’s Spider-Woman—further enriching the universe with their unique narratives.
‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’ as a Launchpad for Future Projects
Capitalizing on Success: Developing More Spider-Man Variants
Recent years have seen tremendous success with Sony’s animated Spider-Verse films, pointing to a prosperous avenue for future projects. Although ‘Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse’ does not yet have a release date, it is expected to conclude the trilogy while encapsulating Miles Morales’ journey. This future installment could very well serve as a launchpad for new narratives centering around various Spider-People, continuing the legacy set forth by ‘Spider-Noir.’
With such a rich canon of characters at their disposal, Sony has a tremendous opportunity to reinvigorate its Spider-Man Universe and recapture the imaginations of fans everywhere.
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