Sony’s Spider-Man Universe introduced some classic Marvel characters but completely squandered some iconic allies and adversaries. Sony’s Spider-Man Universe has offered its own take on the world of Spider-Man and its adjacent characters, aiming to build a cinematic universe populated by iconic villains, anti-heroes, and supporting characters. Despite some standout moments, the SSU has been riddled with missed opportunities, especially in how it handles some of its most compelling characters.
Sony’s Spider-Man Universe has come to an end. Kraven the Hunter was the final installment in the SSU, bringing the titular Spider-Man villain to life. He joins the ranks of Madame Web, Morbius, and Venom, who each led their own eponymous adventures in the franchise. However, numerous other beloved Spider-Man characters have appeared throughout the franchise, several of whom were completely wasted. Many of these were hotly anticipated, yet many were squandered through lackluster characterizations or unfulfilled narratives.
10
Morbius Wasted A Great Gothic Villain
Morbius
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Morbius, The Living Vampire, has long been one of Marvel Comics’ most tragic figures, blending gothic horror with science fiction. The film adaptation had the potential to explore Michael Morbius’ transformation into a vampire, delving into his internal struggle between his monstrous urges and his desire to do good. Unfortunately, Sony’s Morbius turned out to be an underwhelming, formulaic affair.
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Instead of leaning into the gothic atmosphere and psychological horror that defines the character, the movie settled for a generic superhero origin story riddled with flat dialogue and unremarkable action sequences. While Jared Leto embodied the appearance of Morbius, the script offered little depth, leaving audiences with a forgettable protagonist. The lack of a compelling antagonist also hurt the story, as Milo felt more cartoonish than menacing. Ultimately, Morbius failed to capitalize on its titular character’s rich history and unique horror elements.
9
Carnage Was Way Too Goofy
Venom: Let There Be Carnage
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Cletus Kasady, aka Carnage, is one of Spider-Man’s most terrifying foes, representing pure chaos and bloodlust. When Venom: Let There Be Carnage announced Woody Harrelson in the role, it seemed the movie would deliver a dark and chilling portrayal of this psychotic villain. However, the movie’s tonal inconsistencies and penchant for slapstick humor undermined Carnage’s menace.
Instead of being a chilling serial killer bonded with an alien symbiote, Harrelson’s Carnage was overly campy and lacked the gravitas needed to make him a formidable threat. The film’s rushed pacing didn’t help either, as Carnage’s backstory and motivations were only briefly touched upon. By the time the climactic battle arrived, Carnage felt more like an afterthought than a central figure. This squandered one of Spider-Man’s most iconic villains and left audiences craving a darker, more intense portrayal.
8
Calypso Was Reduced To A Plot Device
Kraven the Hunter
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In the comics, Calypso is a powerful voodoo priestess and one of Kraven the Hunter’s most fascinating allies and adversaries. She’s a character brimming with mysticism, danger, and complexity. However, her depiction in Kraven the Hunter left much to be desired. Instead of exploring her dark magic and deep connection to Kraven, the film relegated Calypso to a mere plot device, existing solely to advance Kraven’s character arc.
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This reduction of Calypso to a supporting role robbed the character of her agency and potential as a standalone antagonist. Her dynamic with Kraven, which could have added layers to the story, was underdeveloped. It was very disappointing, as the film missed the opportunity to explore Calypso’s full range of powers and her ability to manipulate and control those around her. A more faithful portrayal could have elevated the movie’s mysticism and emotional depth.
7
Chameleon Was Introduced Far Too Late
Kraven The Hunter
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One of Spider-Man’s oldest foes, Dmitri Smerdyakov, aka Chameleon, is a master of disguise and deception. As such, it was immensely exciting when it was revealed that Chameleon would appear in Kraven the Hunter. However, the execution was extremely underwhelming. The character has little agency until late in the movie and doesn’t assume his iconic comic book form until the final scenes.
By waiting until the very end to fully embrace Chameleon’s potential, the film squandered a chance to integrate his unique abilities into the story. Instead of using his shapeshifting skills to create tension and intrigue throughout the plot, Chameleon was little more than an afterthought. This decision undermined his impact and begs the question of why Sony didn’t do more with one of Spider-Man’s most cunning adversaries. A better approach would have made Chameleon integral to the plot, showcasing his duplicity and psychological warfare.
6
All 3 Spider-Women Were Squandered
Madame Web
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Madame Web introduced audiences to three Spider-Women: Julia Carpenter, Anya Corazon, and Mattie Franklin. Each of these characters has a rich comic book history and the potential to become major players in the SSU. Unfortunately, the film failed to give any of them the spotlight they deserved. Instead of developing their individual stories and powers, Madame Web reduced them to secondary characters in a convoluted plot.
Their interactions lacked depth, and their abilities were only briefly depicted in flashforwards, leaving audiences with little reason to care about them. This wasted the opportunity to expand Sony’s Spider-Man Universe with strong, compelling female heroes who could stand alongside Spider-Man. Each Spider-Woman’s distinct personality and powers should have been explored more deeply, giving the SSU a richer and more diverse array of protagonists around which to build future narratives.
5
Rhino Only Fully Transformed Once
Kraven The Hunter
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In Kraven the Hunter, Aleksei Sytsevich, aka Rhino, is portrayed as a man who transforms into a monstrous rhino-human hybrid following an experimental procedure, requiring medication to keep his rhino-form at bay. While this unique take on the character had potential, the film severely underutilized him. Rhino’s fully transformed state only appears during the final battle, leaving little room for the character to make a lasting impression.
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This limited screen time wasted the opportunity to explore Rhino’s struggles with his transformation and the consequences of his actions. Instead, he was reduced to a brute-force antagonist with no meaningful development. This lack of nuance completely wasted one of Spidey’s most iconic foes, and the missed chance to depict Rhino as a tragic and formidable foe. A narrative exploring his humanity and internal conflict could have made Rhino one of the SSU’s standout villains.
4
The Jackal Was Reduced To An Easter Egg
Kraven The Hunter
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Miles Warren, aka The Jackal, is one of Spider-Man’s most sinister villains, known for his experiments with cloning and his obsession with Gwen Stacy. However, in the SSU, The Jackal has been relegated to little more than an Easter egg. In Kraven the Hunter, he’s mentioned by his real name as the scientist responsible for giving Rhino his powers. Later, Chameleon visits him to gain his own metamorph powers, but The Jackal himself never appears on the screen.
This treatment of the character is a huge missed opportunity. The Jackal’s expertise in genetic manipulation and his morally ambiguous nature could have added depth and complexity to the SSU. Instead, Sony chose to merely reference him, leaving many disappointed and wondering if he’ll ever get the proper on-screen adaptation he deserves. The Jackal could have been a key figure in the SSU’s exploration of science and ethics.
3
The SSU Actually Cut A JK Simmons Cameo
Morbius
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J. Jonah Jameson, the fiery editor of the Daily Bugle, is one of Spider-Man’s most iconic supporting characters. Consequently, it was thrilling to hear that JK Simmons, who brilliantly portrayed Jameson in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy and the MCU’s Spider-Man: Far From Home, filmed a cameo for Morbius. However, this cameo was ultimately cut from the final film. The decision to exclude Simmons’ Jameson robbed the movie of a chance to further connect the SSU to the larger Spider-Man mythos.
His appearance could have added a layer of authenticity and excitement to Morbius, grounding the story in the broader Spider-Man universe. Cutting such a beloved character’s cameo was a baffling decision, as Simmons is one of few actors to have transcended the franchise and been a constant presence throughout. Including Jameson would have been a perfect nod to Spider-Man’s enduring legacy and a treat for longtime audiences.
2
Knull Was Barely Visible
Venom: The Last Dance
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Knull, the god of the symbiotes, is a cosmic-level villain with immense power and a rich backstory. His introduction in the SSU set up several dynamic narratives, particularly his invasion of Earth. While Venom: Let There Be Carnage introduced him and set up the idea of an invasion story, Knull himself was barely visible, reduced to a fleeting, shadowy glimpses rather than a fully realized presence.
This minimal inclusion wasted the opportunity to introduce a truly epic villain who could unify the SSU’s disparate storylines. Knull’s absence left a void in the narrative and underscored the SSU’s tendency to tease exciting possibilities without following through. A more prominent introduction of Knull could have set the stage for an interconnected and thrilling symbiote saga. It could have also been the catalyst to forming a team from the SSU’s protagonists in a Sinister Six movie.
1
Spider-Man Was Consistently Teased Without Ever Getting A Meaningful Appearance
Morbius, Madame Web, Venom & Kraven The Hunter
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Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the SSU is its constant teasing of Spider-Man without delivering a meaningful appearance. He was teased through Peter Parker’s brief mention as a baby in Madame Web and Kraven’s fear of spiders. He also appeared as graffiti in Morbius and had a brief cameo in Venom: Let There Be Carnage when Venom exhibits a brief beguilement with the web-slinger.
The franchise has repeatedly dangled the possibility of Spider-Man in front of audiences without fully committing. These teases only serve to highlight the absence of the character who should be at the heart of this universe. By avoiding a proper Spider-Man appearance, the SSU undermines its own credibility and leaves audiences wondering when, or if, the wall-crawler will ever take center stage. This perpetual teasing is perhaps the most frustrating aspect of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe.
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21
8.9/10
Venom
PG-13
Sci-FiActionHorrorVenom is an action sci-fi movie that stars Tom Hardy as the titular Marvel anti-hero. When the Life Foundation begins experimenting on alien lifeforms they find on a comet that landed nearby, Investigative Journalist Eddie Brock begins to investigate them. When an infiltration goes wrong, Eddie finds that one of the aliens has bonded to him, forcing him to learn to live with his new uninvited host. Giving him superhuman powers, the two begin to work together to stop the rest of the symbiote’s invasive species.
Release Date
October 5, 2018
Runtime
112 Minutes
Cast
Woody Harrelson
, Jenny Slate
, Michelle Williams
, Scott Haze
, Tom Hardy
, Riz AhmedDirector
Ruben Fleischer
Writers
Scott Rosenberg
, Jeff PinknerStudio(s)
Columbia Pictures
, Marvel Entertainment
, Arad ProductionsDistributor(s)
Sony Pictures Releasing
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13
7.4/10
Venom: Let There Be Carnage
PG-13
Sci-FiActionAdventureVenom: Let There Be Carnage, directed by Andy Serkis, follows Eddie Brock, portrayed by Tom Hardy, as he struggles to coexist with the alien symbiote Venom. The film introduces the antagonist Cletus Kasady, a serial killer transformed into the menacing Carnage after becoming host to an alien symbiote.
Release Date
October 1, 2021
Runtime
97 minutes
Cast
Tom Hardy
, Woody Harrelson
, Michelle Williams
, Naomie Harris
, Reid Scott
, Stephen Graham
, Peggy Lu
, Sian Webber
, Michelle Greenidge
, Rob Bowen
, Laurence Spellman
, Little Simz
, Jack Bandeira
, Olumide Olorunfemi
, Scroobius Pip
, Amrou Al-Kadhi
, Beau Sargent
, Brian Copeland
, Stewart Alexander
, Sean Delaney
, Ed Kear
, Emma Lau
, Louis j Rhone
, Christopher Godwin
, Tiffanie Thomas
, Rocky Capella
, Sam Robinson
, Greg Lockett
, Sonny Ashbourne Serkis
, Otis Winston
, Vaughn Johseph
, Kristen Simoes
, Miguel Angel Arreguin
, Shaliz Afshar
, Reece Shearsmith
, Simon Connolly
, Rachel Handshaw
, Amanda FosterDirector
Andy Serkis
Writers
Tom Hardy
, Kelly Marcel
, Mark Bagley
, David Michelinie
, Tom DeFalco
, Todd McFarlaneStudio(s)
Sony
Distributor(s)
Sony
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125
8.3/10
Venom: The Last Dance
PG-13
Adventure Sci-FiActionSuperheroVenom: The Last Dance is a film directed by an undisclosed director, featuring the character Venom in a thrilling narrative. The movie explores the alien symbiote’s latest challenges and transformations as it navigates through a world full of danger and new adversaries.
Release Date
October 25, 2024
Runtime
110 Minutes
Cast
Tom Hardy
, Chiwetel Ejiofor
, Juno Temple
, Rhys Ifans
, Stephen Graham
, Peggy Lu
, Clark Backo
, Alanna Ubach
, Cristo Fernández
, Jared Abrahamson
, Hala Finley
, Dash McCloud
, Andy Serkis
, Reid Scott
, Jack Brady
, Ivo Nandi
, Jake Allyn
, Otis Winston
, Jacob Tomuri
, Brooke Carter
, Fflyn Edwards
, Elijah Cook
, Norma Butikofer
, Elizabeth Cook
, Angie Hsu
, Martin McDougallDirector
Kelly Marcel
Writers
Kelly Marcel
, Tom HardyStudio(s)
Columbia Pictures
, Marvel Entertainment
, Pascal PicturesDistributor(s)
Sony
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2.9/10
Morbius
PG-13
DramaActionAdventureHorrorMorbius stars Jared Leto as the enigmatic antihero Michael Morbius set in the Sony Pictures Marvel universe. Afflicted with a terrible illness since his youth, Michael has struggled until he met his new surrogate brother, Lucian, nicknamed Milo (Matt Smith), who shares the same disease. The two bond over the illness, and years later, Michael discovers a potential breakthrough by using a unique gene in vampire bats. When the experiment proves to be a success, it cures Michael of his ailment – however, it also turns him into a bloodthirsty vampire. While Michael aims to curtail his bloodlust, his brother, who has also taken the cure, does not share the same empathy. As a result, Michael will have to manage his powers while trying to stop his brother’s murderous rampage.
Release Date
April 1, 2022
Runtime
108 minutes
Cast
Adria Arjona
, Al Madrigal
, Jared Harris
, Matt Smith
, Jared Leto
, Tyrese GibsonDirector
Daniel Espinosa
Writers
Matt Sazama
, Burk SharplessStudio(s)
Sony
Distributor(s)
Sony
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5.8/10
Madame Web
PG-13
Action Sci-FiSuperheroAdventureMadame Web is a superhero movie based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Taking place in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, the movie revolves around a clairvoyant woman who can look into different dimensions. Dakota Johnson stars in the lead role, with Sydney Sweeney, Adam Scott, Isabela Merced, and Celeste O’Connor comprising the rest of the cast.
Release Date
February 14, 2024
Runtime
116 Minutes
Cast
Dakota Johnson
, Emma Roberts
, Adam Scott
, Isabela Merced
, Sydney SweeneyDirector
S.J. Clarkson
Writers
Burk Sharpless
, Matt Sazama
, Kerem Sanga
, Claire Parker
, S.J. ClarksonStudio(s)
Columbia Pictures
, Di Bonaventura PicturesDistributor(s)
Sony Pictures Releasing
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54
7.1/10
Kraven the Hunter
R
ActionAdventure Sci-FiKraven the Hunter explores the origin story of Sergei Kravinoff, known as Kraven, as he navigates his tumultuous relationship with his father, Nikolai. This path of vengeance sets Kraven on a journey to become a formidable hunter with a reputation for fearsome brutality.
Release Date
December 13, 2024
Runtime
127 Minutes
Cast
Aaron Taylor-Johnson
, Russell Crowe
, Fred Hechinger
, Ariana DeBose
, Christopher Abbott
, Alessandro Nivola
, Levi Miller
, Chi Lewis-Parry
, Billy Barratt
, Jessica Zhou
, Michael Shaeffer
, Dritan Kastrati
, Greg Kolpakchi
, Elander Moore
, Filiz Fairweather
, Duran Fulton Brown
, Alex Skarbek
, Rachel Handshaw
, Preslav Shipkaliev
, Murat Seven
, Robert RyanDirector
J.C. Chandor
Writers
Art Marcum
, Richard Wenk
, Matt HollowayStudio(s)
Sony
Distributor(s)
Sony
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