Sony Pictures had high hopes for 2024, but those aspirations took a hit with the box office performances of "Madame Web" and "Kraven the Hunter." Both films have faced harsh criticism, leading to significant financial disappointments. Tony Vinciquerra, the CEO of Sony Pictures, recently spoke to The Los Angeles Times about these failures, placing much of the blame squarely on the critics.
Vinciquerra expressed his disbelief over the negative reception of Kraven the Hunter, which he described as "not a bad film." Despite its potential, the film had the lowest debut ever for any Sony Marvel movie, raking in just $11 million upon release. He noted, "I still don’t understand, because the film is not a bad film," referring to the $43 million it later garnered globally.
Similarly, Madame Web opened to disappointing numbers, earning only $43 million domestically and $100 million internationally. This performance paled compared to Morbius, another entry from the Spider-Man universe, which managed to gross $167 million worldwide. Vinciquerra criticized the press for "crucifying" Madame Web, stating, "It was not a bad film, and it did great on Netflix. For some reason, the press decided they didn’t want us making these films out of Kraven and Madame Web, and the critics just destroyed them.”
Vinciquerra's defense of these films highlights his belief the media narratives around them significantly impacted their box office success. He compared the situation to Venom: The Last Dance, which also received poor reviews yet performed well at the box office thanks to audience support. "They also did it with Venom, but the audience loved Venom and made Venom a massive hit. These are not terrible films. They were just destroyed by the critics," he said.
While it is evident Madame Web and Kraven the Hunter did not resonate with critics, audience responses have also been mixed. The Rotten Tomatoes score for Madame Web plummeted to 12% among critics, contrasting with a more favorable 57% audience score. Meanwhile, Kraven the Hunter managed to attain only 17% from critics but received 74% from audiences, indicating some level of viewer appreciation.
Despite Vinciquerra's claims, the reviews from outlets such as Collider were harsh. They labeled Madame Web as "exceptionally exhausting," criticizing its "dull visual palette and simplistic dialogue." The lead actress, Dakota Johnson, even hinted at reconsidering her future involvement with superhero films due to this backlash.
With these films’ lackluster performance, concerns are arising within Sony about the future of its Spider-Man-related productions. Vinciquerra warned, "It’s snake-bitten. If we put another one out, it’s going to get destroyed, no matter how good or bad it is." This sentiment reflects the studio's precarious position as it navigates the cinematic waters of the superhero genre.
The latest installments have led Sony to reconsider its approach. Vinciquerra noted the dismissive reactions have caused them to ponder whether to continue with ancillary characters within the Spider-Man universe, voicing concerns about the sustainability of these projects. "It’s snake bite. If we release another movie, it’ll get destroyed, no matter how good or bad it is," he reiterated.
Despite the recent setbacks, there is still hope for the future of Sony’s Spider-Man franchise. The studio continues to move forward with the planned fourth installment featuring Tom Holland, set for release in July 2026. Vinciquerra assured fans and stakeholders alike, "Fortunately for Marvel fans, this bad luck hasn’t touched Tom Holland’s Spider-Man franchise. "
So, what does this mean for the future of Sony's superhero outings? With Vinciquerra's impending departure from the company slated for January 2025, questions loom over how leadership changes will affect the studio's strategic direction. He leaves with the legacy of having initiated various Spider-Man projects, but with the unknown potential for forthcoming films casting shadows over the success of previous ventures.
Whether the future films will escape the shadow of critics remains to be seen. While Vinciquerra lashed out at perceived injustices from the press, it’s clear the audience reception is equally important. Beyond the numbers, Madame Web and Kraven the Hunter will be remembered as pivotal moments for Sony's attempts to cement their presence within the superhero film genre.
