At Brazil’s Comic Con Experience this past Sunday, Sony Pictures faced an unsettling reality. ‘Kraven the Hunter‘, their latest Spider-Man spin-off, was met with rows of empty seats at its panel presentation.
This reflects a broader issue: Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU) has struggled to resonate with audiences. Despite a massive budget, ‘Kraven the Hunter‘ is released in just 3,000 theaters. Now, reports suggest it might be the end for Spider-Man spin-offs.
Sony’s Spider-Man Universe Might Be In Its Final Stage With Spin-Offs
According to TheWrap, this downward trend, coupled with lukewarm reception to earlier SSU films like Morbius, has led Sony to cancel plans for further spin-offs. Moving forward, the studio will focus on ‘Spider-Man 4’, ‘Beyond the Spider-Verse’, and ‘Spider-Man: Noir’.
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Additionally, ‘Kraven the Hunter’ might be the last of Sony’s spin-off experiments. The studio has now shifted its attention to projects where Spider-Man plays a central or direct role. ‘Spider-Man 4’, starring Tom Holland, will likely explore Peter Parker’s new beginnings following the events of ‘No Way Home’.
Whereas, ‘Beyond the Spider-Verse’ will continue the animated saga of Miles Morales. ‘Spider-Man: Noir’ promises a fresh, darker take on the hero’s mythology. This pivot may finally give fans what they’ve been waiting for more Spider-Man on screen.
Moreover, the multiverse concept offers endless opportunities to bring back beloved iterations of the character. Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and even a live-action Miles Morales could all return without interfering with any canon. The cancellation of future spin-offs suggests that Sony has learned a crucial lesson.
Why The SSU’s Spin-offs Aren’t As Exciting
Sony’s ambitious attempt to build a cinematic universe around Spider-Man’s rogue’s gallery has always been strange. Especially because Spider-Man was never a part of any of it. Peter Parker’s not being in the films has left these spin-offs feeling irrelevant, with many questioning their purpose.
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Additionally, characters like Venom and Kraven are iconic because of their relationships with Spider-Man. Venom’s entire origin is tied to Parker, and Kraven’s greatest storyline, Kraven’s Last Hunt, depends on their dynamic. Without the web-slinger, their narratives feel shallow or directionless.
Spider-Man is the heart of these stories. So, building a universe without him has only diluted the appeal of characters that thrive in his orbit. While ‘Kraven the Hunter’ may serve as the SSU’s comeback, it’s clear that audiences are ready for Sony to return to the character that started it all.
