Sony's SPUMC is running out of steam! Despite JC Chandor's hard-R rated Kraven The Hunter not hitting theaters yet, it seems Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters is preparing to wrap up. A recent report from The Wrap suggests that the Aaron Taylor-Johnson-led Kraven movie, set to release in 1,000 fewer cinemas than Venom: The Last Dance, will mark the end of Sony's efforts to create a shared universe from Spider-Man's villains.
Sony declined to comment on The Wrap's detailed report, but the picture painted is far from flattering. The studio reportedly invested $465 million in films like Madame Web, Morbius, and the anticipated Kraven The Hunter, which is projected to open with just $15 million. An insider at Sony told The Wrap, "The biggest issue with the Sony Spider-Man spinoffs is the lack of quality control. The movies just aren’t good." They added, "Sometimes that lack of quality meets a movie no one asked for, like Madame Web, which is a no-win scenario. It might be time for Sony to explore other IPs to launch new franchises."
This sobering assessment isn't entirely unjustified. Sony first hinted at a Sinister Six movie with The Amazing Spider-Man 2, but the series collapsed after poor reviews and audience reception. The SPUMC project never gained momentum, and even the introduction of Knull in Venom: The Last Dance felt like an afterthought rather than a setup for a Sinister Six movie.
So, where does Sony stand now? According to a top talent agent interviewed by The Wrap, all roads lead back to Spider-Man, even though Tom Holland remains the MCU's sole Spider-Man until at least 2026's Spider-Man 4. The agent noted, "They’ve developed what they want to develop for now, so it’s really about the next Spider-Man film."
With Spider-Noir currently in production and Beyond The Spider-Verse on the horizon, Sony still has Marvel projects in the pipeline. However, for now, it appears that SPUMC has reached its premature end. Grab the tissues.
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