Sony's Spider-Man Universe Problems Caused By Incomplete Scripts Before Filming

Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU) has swung between massive highs and disappointing lows. While the collaboration with Disney on the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and Lord & Miller’s Spider-Verse films have grossed a staggering $6.85 billion, the standalone SSU movies (Morbius, Madame Web, and now Kraven the Hunter) haven’t found the same web-slinging success. It's time for Sony to address their Marvel problem head-on as for now the series is now over.

Hits and Misses: The Stark Numbers

Let’s start with the financial picture. Madame Web, with an $80 million budget, eked out just $100.4 million globally. Morbius, with an $83 million production cost, only grossed $167.4 million. The outlook for Kraven the Hunter isn’t promising either as it first weekend bombed with $26 million globally. Social media sentiment before release was notably negative, with audience complaints about CGI, character arcs, and Sony’s approach to Spider-Man villains.

Sony’s Venom series is the outlier here, with Venom: Let There Be Carnage earning $473 million globally. However, it’s still a franchise in decline, with a B- Cinemascore and a 43% drop from the previous film’s opening weekend. Fan enthusiasm for these projects is waning, and Sony’s habit of pushing underdeveloped scripts through production is a core problem.

What’s Going Wrong?

A major pitfall in Sony’s approach to its Spider-Man Universe films is their tendency to start production before scripts are fully developed. This rushed process often leads to chaotic storytelling and disjointed narratives. For example, during the production of Morbius, the lack of a cohesive script meant the finale was reshot. The rushed production of Madame Web, for instance, involved cutting up to 20 to 30 essential screenplay pages before filming.

The resulting disjointed plot reflects the hurried process. Kraven the Hunter also faced delays and disruptions due to strikes, yet Deadpool & Wolverine managed to overcome similar obstacles and soar to $1.3 billion at the box office. Clearly, the issue isn’t just external—it’s about preparation and quality control.

Sony seems focused on quick profits rather than building long-term goodwill with Marvel fans. Characters like Kraven and Morbius, traditionally Spider-Man villains, feel misplaced when they’re awkwardly reimagined as standalone antiheroes. Fans want emotionally engaging stories with epic stakes, as proven by James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy.

No Spider-Man

There was a feeling within the studio that audiences would not accept Holland’s Spidey suddenly popping up in a live-action film that wasn’t a part of the MCU, especially after Spider-Man: No Way Home and the Marvel Studios projects Loki and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness established definitive boundaries to the Marvel multiverse.

Where Does Sony Go From Here?

To avoid more misfires, Sony must take a page from Disney’s playbook. They’re showing care with the next Spider-Verse installment, postponing its release to ensure quality. A similar approach should apply to all Marvel properties under their wing. If Kevin Feige can delay a Blade reboot until it’s perfected, Sony can do the same with Kraven or Madame Web sequels.

Ultimately, Sony’s Marvel films can thrive, but only if the studio prioritizes storytelling, quality, and fan expectations over rushed timelines. The SSU has to actually have Spider-Man to save the day as his lack of appearance is biggest issue for fan interest. The potential is there—it’s time for Sony to protect it.

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Source: Deadline

Photo Credit: Sony