Sony Pictures has been facing criticism after two of its recent Spider-Man spin-off films, "Madame Web" and "Kraven the Hunter," experienced disappointing box office returns. Tony Vinciquerra, the CEO of Sony Pictures, has defended these films against what he calls unjust media scrutiny, claiming it played a significant role in their underperformance.
According to Vinciquerra, both films suffered from negative reviews which did not reflect the true quality of the movies. "Madame Web," featuring Dakota Johnson as a paramedic with psychic powers, released earlier this year, has garnered only 11% on Rotten Tomatoes. It managed to gross $100 million worldwide but struggled against its hefty $100 million budget. Vinciquerra lamented to the Los Angeles Times, "Madame Web underperformed... because the press just crucified it." He insists, "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... and the critics just destroyed them. They also did it with 'Venom,' but the audience loved 'Venom' and made it a massive hit."
The following release, "Kraven the Hunter," premiered on December 13, 2023, receiving even harsher criticism with only 16% on Rotten Tomatoes. Its opening weekend saw it rake in just $11 million, marking it as the lowest box office debut for any Sony Marvel movie. Vinciquerra openly acknowledged the failing of "Kraven" as well, stating, "I still don’t understand, because the film is not bad. It’s probably the worst launch we had..." With the film's total earnings currently sitting at only $43 million globally against its $110 million budget, industry experts are questioning the viability of future Spider-Man character spin-offs.
Emma Roberts, who appeared as Spider-Man's mother, also spoke about the film's reception. She noted the influence of "internet culture" on public perceptions, saying, "I personally really loved Madame Web. I really enjoyed the movie. I thought everyone in it was great. If it wasn’t for internet culture and everything being made to a joke, I think the reception would’ve been different." This statement echoes sentiments from many who believe the online discourse has negatively affected audiences' willingness to engage with these films.
Vinciquerra's comments signal broader concerns within the industry about how media coverage can heavily influence box office performance and audience sentiment. The Spider-Man universe's current predicament has left him contemplating potential changes. He stated, "I do think we need to rethink it, just because 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 acknowledgment has sparked conversations about the viability of continuing to explore characters from the Spider-Man franchise.
Beyond personal reflections, Vinciquerra’s remarks highlight the industry-wide struggles as major studios battle to attract viewers back to theaters. Competition exists not only from other studios but also against the growing popularity of streaming services, which have shifted audience expectations for entertainment consumption. Box office revenue for North American theaters has been reported to have decreased by 11.5% compared to last year, presenting significant challenges for studios like Sony.
With Vinciquerra set to step down from his role soon, questions remain about the future of Sony Pictures' approach to cinematic projects within the Spider-Man universe. While the studio is still actively collaborating with Disney’s Marvel Studios on another installment of Spider-Man starring Tom Holland, the fate of solo villain films remains uncertain. "Madame Web" and "Kraven the Hunter" serve as cautionary tales for future projects, prompting Vinciquerra to contemplate strategies necessary to secure more favorable outcomes.
Overall, the reception of these two films has initiated discussions across the industry about how media narratives affect film performances and how future projects might navigate the precarious balance between creative integrity and audience expectations. For now, Sony Pictures is at a crossroads, and only time will reveal how it will proceed with its storied franchise.
