Sony's foray into creating a shared universe of films based on Marvel characters has reportedly stalled, with no new projects currently in active development. Sony Pictures chairman and CEO Tom Rothman confirmed that the company has no plans to expand this corner of Marvel moviemaking at this time, citing a lack of audience satisfaction with recent entries.
While the Venom trilogy starring Tom Hardy achieved some box office success, films such as Madame Web (2024) and Kraven the Hunter (2024) have struggled to resonate with audiences, leading Sony to reconsider its strategy. "Right now, we don’t know," Rothman stated in an interview with Variety when asked about future installments. He clarified that the company never explicitly aimed to create a "Sony-Marvel Universe" but rather sought to produce standalone films based on other characters. "At the moment, there are none in active development."
Rothman elaborated that the audience "wasn't satisfied enough" with the live-action movies that comprised what many observers dubbed the "Sony-verse." This roster included Venom (2018), Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Morbius, Madame Web, Venom: The Last Dance, and Kraven the Hunter. Despite earlier intentions to integrate Spider-Man himself into these villain-centric offshoots, such a crossover never materialized.
Kraven the Hunter, released in late 2024, was positioned as a final attempt to gain traction but ultimately underperformed. Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, the film debuted as the lowest-grossing entry in Sony's Marvel film series, receiving largely unimpressed reviews. This performance, coupled with the reception of other spinoffs, suggests Sony is re-evaluating its approach to these characters.
Rothman acknowledged the audience's reaction, stating, "The audience is the boss, and they didn’t respond. It’s as simple as that." He did note that an animated Venom movie is still planned.
Meanwhile, the primary Spider-Man cinematic universe continues to thrive, with Spider-Man: Brand New Day recently breaking box office records. Rothman used this success to comment on the ongoing conversations among moviegoers about theatrical experiences.