Sony’s approach to its Spider-Man universe has sparked much discussion, especially when it comes to the decision to focus more on the villains rather than Spider-Man himself, specifically Tom Holland‘s version of the character. Reports indicate that this choice was driven by the studio’s analysis of audience preferences and market potential, but the results have been mixed.
Shift to Villains
Sony’s spin-off projects from the Spider-Man universe, such as the Venom films and others like Madame Web and Kraven the Hunter, initially excluded major Spider-Man heroes like Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy, and Mary Jane. The decision to focus on the villains instead of these beloved characters stemmed from a belief within Sony that the audience was more interested in these darker figures.
Despite Sony’s agreement with Disney, which would have allowed the inclusion of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man in these spin-offs, the studio reportedly did not think the fanbase was keen on seeing the hero in non-MCU productions. As GamesRadar+ outlined, the direction was not dictated by restrictions but by a desire to capitalize on the success of Venom, the first film of which introduced the antihero character, without the need for Spider-Man’s direct involvement.
The Villain-Focused Strategy
The strategy became clear after the success of the first Venom film, which was able to thrive without Spider-Man’s presence. Following this, Sony continued to build its universe around villainous characters. While the second Venom installment did include a brief post-credit cameo of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, heroes were otherwise absent from the storylines.
Despite this, the move was not without its critics. Jeff Block, an Exhibitor Relations analyst, told Variety that Sony’s decision to omit Spider-Man from these films might have been a “fatal flaw.” Block pointed out that after the initial success of Venom, Sony seemed overly optimistic, believing it could replicate this formula with every villainous character, which did not work as well in later projects.
Mixed Results for Sony
The reception of some of Sony’s later projects has proven Block’s concerns. Kraven the Hunter, one of the studio’s most recent releases, struggled at the box office and received poor reviews, with low ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. This led some critics to suggest that the lack of Spider-Man’s involvement left these films with a crucial missing element. The absence of the iconic hero created a void that was not easily filled by lesser-known villains.
On the other hand, there has been some success for Sony in its animated Spider-Verse series, which has embraced multiple versions of Peter Parker and other characters like Gwen Stacy. Unlike the live-action villain-centric films, this series has resonated more deeply with fans, perhaps showing that the demand for Spider-Man heroes is still strong.
The Bigger Picture
While Sony’s attempts to carve out a unique universe of Spider-Man villains have had mixed results, the studio has also shown a clear understanding of the fanbase through its animated Spider-Verse films. The success of these projects, with their focus on different iterations of Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy, suggests that there is still an appetite for Spider-Man’s iconic heroes, not just the villains.
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