Sony’s latest attempt at spinning off a secondary Spider-Man character into its own movie franchise, “Kraven the Hunter,” has proven to be a box office disappointment, further solidifying the studio’s struggles in adapting Marvel characters. The film’s poor performance marks the third failure in Sony’s efforts to create standalone movies featuring secondary Spider-Man characters.
The problems began when studios try to work together, siloing off stars and creating constraints that limit their creative freedom. In the case of Sony, its deal with Disney meant that Tom Holland’s Peter Parker was only allowed to appear in MCU projects, leaving the studio without flexibility to use him in non-MCU films.
This led to a string of poorly received movies, including “Morbius” and “Kraven,” which were plagued by poor writing, meh direction, and continuity issues. Insiders at Sony acknowledge that these films are creative and critical duds, even if they did manage to turn a profit.
So, what’s the solution? According to industry expert Jeff Wielandt, Sony should focus on creating standalone movies centered around superhero teams like Wild Pack and Slingers, rather than relying on spin-offs of individual villains. By tying these projects together through Spider-Gwen, a character who has already gained popularity in the comics and animation universe, Sony may be able to create a cohesive shared universe that resonates with fans.
Additionally, hiring a lore master to oversee the creative process and ensuring better writing and planning could make all the difference. As one insider puts it, “You can’t just stick to the comics and what fans want; you need to bring them together.” By listening to fan feedback and creating a more cohesive narrative, Sony may be able to revitalize its Spider-Man franchise and prove that secondary characters can shine in their own right.
In short, Sony’s struggles with its Spider-Man movies stem from poor planning, writing issues, and creative constraints. By taking a step back, re-evaluating its strategy, and focusing on creating cohesive stories around popular characters, the studio may be able to turn things around and create a more successful franchise.
Source: https://variety.com/2024/film/news/kraven-sony-marvel-movies-not-dead-1236249221