Sony’s attempt to build a Spider-Man-centric universe outside of Marvel Studios has been a long and complicated journey. From the initial success of Venom to the more recent flops of Morbius, Madame Web, and Craven the Hunter, Sony has tried to carve its own path in the superhero genre. Yet, the studio’s efforts have met with mixed results. Some films have made a profit, while others have failed to live up to expectations, leading many to question whether the Spider-Man spin-offs are a sustainable investment.

The issue has also brought to light a crucial question: Why has Sony chosen not to use the most iconic character in its universe—Spider-Man himself—in these spin-off movies? In this article, we explore the behind-the-scenes decisions at Sony, how these decisions have affected the development of their Spider-Man Universe, and what the future might hold for the franchise.

Sony’s Strategic Decisions: To Use or Not Use Spider-Man

For years, Sony has held the rights to Spider-Man, the beloved Marvel character that has become one of the most iconic superheroes in cinema. However, despite holding these rights, Sony made an unconventional choice by opting not to feature Spider-Man in their Spider-Man Universe films. This decision, especially when they had the opportunity to use Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, has puzzled fans and industry insiders alike.

According to recent reports, Sony was fully aware that they had the rights to use Spider-Man in their spin-off films. However, they chose not to do so for reasons that are still a bit unclear. Early on, there was speculation that the studio was attempting to avoid confusion by keeping their universe separate from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Sony likely feared that including Spider-Man in these films would complicate things for audiences, especially after the success of Spider-Man: No Way Home in the MCU.

In their view, introducing Spider-Man into these standalone films could lead to market confusion. For example, how would audiences react to Tom Holland’s Spider-Man appearing in a film that wasn’t part of the MCU, after the events of No Way Home and the multiverse shifts? Sony likely feared that introducing Spider-Man without the proper narrative context would dilute his brand and create further complications in an already crowded superhero market.

Additionally, Sony’s decision to keep Spider-Man out of these films might have been motivated by a desire to maintain the character’s exclusivity to the MCU, where he was seen as a key part of Marvel Studios’ ongoing storylines. By not overexposing the character in a different context, Sony likely hoped to protect Spider-Man’s brand and avoid alienating MCU fans.

The “Venom Effect” and Its Consequences

The success of Venom in 2018 was a turning point for Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. The film, which featured no Spider-Man at all, was a gamble that paid off. Despite the lack of the titular hero, Venom grossed over $850 million worldwide, proving that Sony could successfully make Spider-Man-adjacent films without using Spider-Man himself. This success led to the greenlighting of sequels and other spin-offs, including Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Venom: The Last Dance, as well as films like Morbius, Madame Web, and Craven the Hunter.

However, this success led to what some insiders refer to as the “Venom Effect,” where Sony’s early victory with the character made them overconfident. The studio began to believe that they could create a whole universe of superhero films without the need for Spider-Man. The belief was that, since Venom worked, any other Spider-Man-related character could also carry their own film.

Unfortunately, the results have been mixed at best. While Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Venom: The Last Dance earned a profit, they did not reach the heights of the first Venom film. On the other hand, films like Morbius, Craven the Hunter, and Madame Web were critical and commercial failures. These films lacked the central appeal of Spider-Man, and their stories failed to resonate with audiences, which led to disappointing box office returns.

Sony’s overconfidence in its ability to spin off characters from Spider-Man without the wall-crawler himself ultimately backfired. The studio’s attempt to create a connected universe of characters, without the crucial anchor of Spider-Man, left the films feeling aimless and disconnected.

Box Office Failures and Mixed Success

Despite the financial success of the Venom films, Sony’s attempts to build a larger Spider-Man Universe have suffered from mixed results at the box office. Films like Morbius and Craven the Hunter have failed to live up to expectations, while Venom 2 and Venom 3 experienced diminishing returns.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage, for instance, earned $502 million globally, which was a significant drop from the first Venom, which grossed $856 million. Although Venom 3 still made a profit, its global box office take of $473 million was far lower than expected, especially compared to the $856 million generated by the first film. These numbers indicate that while there is still demand for Spider-Man-related films, the market is not as receptive to these spin-offs without Spider-Man in them.

Sony’s decision to move forward with these films without Spider-Man, and in some cases, without a well-defined connection to the larger Marvel Universe, is seen as a major contributor to their underperformance. The lack of cohesive storytelling and the absence of a central, familiar character have left many viewers unenthused about these films.

Why Sony Refused to Use Spider-Man in the Sonyverse

One of the biggest questions surrounding Sony’s Spider-Man Universe is why the studio chose not to use Spider-Man, especially when they had the chance. As it turns out, the studio’s decision was motivated by a combination of factors, including the desire to protect Spider-Man’s brand and avoid market confusion.

Sony’s executives were reportedly concerned that including Spider-Man in these films could damage the character’s reputation. With Tom Holland’s Spider-Man being so heavily associated with the MCU, Sony likely feared that introducing him into a different universe could confuse audiences and reduce his impact. The studio had a vested interest in maintaining Spider-Man’s association with the MCU, where he was integrated into larger narratives that were beloved by fans.

Moreover, Marvel Studios had advised Sony against using Spider-Man in the Venom films. The reason was simple: Spider-Man was still fresh in the MCU, and introducing him into a non-MCU Spider-Man universe could have caused problems down the line. By holding off on using Spider-Man, Sony allowed Tom Holland’s character to remain a central figure in the MCU while avoiding potential complications.

The Possibility of a New Live-Action Spider-Man

In light of Sony’s struggles with its Spider-Man Universe, there has been talk about the possibility of recasting Spider-Man with a new actor. This option has been met with mixed reactions, with some fans speculating that it could help revitalize the franchise, while others worry that it could create even more confusion.

The question is: Could Sony replace Tom Holland’s Spider-Man with a new live-action actor? According to some industry insiders, it’s a possibility, although one that could come with significant risks. The thought is that Sony could cast a new actor to portray Spider-Man in their own universe, giving them a fresh start without the burden of tying the character to the MCU. This would allow Sony to pursue their own vision for Spider-Man, without worrying about the larger continuity of the MCU.

However, this approach comes with a significant challenge: fans are deeply invested in Tom Holland’s portrayal of Spider-Man. Recasting the character could alienate fans who have come to associate Holland with the role. Additionally, a new live-action Spider-Man would have to contend with the baggage of following in the footsteps of previous versions, such as Tobey Maguire’s and Andrew Garfield’s interpretations.

Moving Forward: A Potential Sony-MCU Collaboration

One potential way forward for Sony’s Spider-Man Universe could be a closer collaboration with Marvel Studios. Despite the struggles of Sony’s standalone films, there’s still a chance for the two studios to work together to create a more cohesive universe.

The idea of integrating Sony’s Spider-Man Universe into the MCU has been discussed in rumors for some time. A partnership between Sony and Marvel could allow the two studios to pool their resources and create a unified, interconnected superhero universe that benefits both parties. This collaboration could also provide a way for Sony to reintroduce Spider-Man in a live-action film, alongside MCU characters.

Such a partnership would also allow for a more consistent creative direction, something that has been lacking in Sony’s current approach. If Sony could work with Marvel Studios to establish a clearer, more cohesive narrative, it could breathe new life into the Spider-Man spin-offs and give them the creative direction they need to succeed.

Conclusion

The future of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe remains uncertain. The studio has faced challenges in building a successful interconnected universe, and its decision to exclude Spider-Man from many of its films has led to a series of box office failures. However, there is still potential for Sony to turn things around.

The studio must reconsider its approach if it hopes to succeed in the crowded superhero genre. Whether it means teaming up with Marvel Studios for a more cohesive narrative or introducing a new live-action Spider-Man, Sony has many options ahead. The key will be striking the right balance between maintaining Spider-Man’s legacy and crafting a universe that feels fresh, exciting, and connected.

Only time will tell whether Sony can course-correct its Spider-Man Universe, but one thing is certain: the world is still waiting for the next chapter in the story of Spider-Man.