Entertainment News
Sony’s Marvel Spinoffs Struggle as ‘Kraven the Hunter’ Disappoints
This follows a trend of underwhelming performances from previous films in the franchise.
Sony Pictures’ latest Marvel spinoff, Kraven the Hunter, encountered a disappointing reception at Brazil’s Comic Con Experience (CCXP) on Sunday.
The surprise panel for the $110 million antihero film attracted a half-empty venue, highlighting a significant decline in enthusiasm for Sony’s Marvel offerings outside of the main Spider-Man franchise.
Set to release on 3,000 screens this Friday—a notable reduction from Venom: The Last Dance—the film’s lacklustre debut raises serious concerns about the future of the franchise, which has struggled to maintain momentum following earlier successes.
Kraven the Hunter, set to debut on December 13, 2024, has already been projected to open with muted interest, with estimates suggesting it may earn between $20 million and $25 million in its opening weekend against a production budget of approximately $130 million.
This follows a trend of underwhelming performances from previous films in the franchise. For instance, Madame Web grossed only $100 million against an $80 million budget, while Venom: The Last Dance earned $472.8 million, significantly less than its predecessors.
Insiders have pointed out that a major issue plaguing these films is a lack of quality control. Reports indicate that many of the spinoffs have failed to resonate with audiences or critics alike, leading to a perception that they are poorly conceived and executed.
The critical reception for films like Morbius and Madame Web has been particularly harsh, with Madame Web receiving only an 11% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
In light of these challenges, Sony appears to be pivoting its strategy. Reports suggest that the studio is ready to pull back from its spinoff projects and refocus on developing new Spider-Man stories in collaboration with Marvel Studios. This includes plans for Spider-Man 4, featuring Tom Holland, which indicates a shift back to more traditional superhero narratives centred around the character himself rather than his rogues’ gallery.
The future of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe seems uncertain as it grapples with declining interest and financial returns. With Kraven the Hunter potentially being the last film in this series, Sony’s next steps will likely involve reevaluating its approach to superhero storytelling, possibly seeking new intellectual properties or returning to core Spider-Man narratives that have historically garnered more audience engagement.
