The conclusion of Sony's Spider-Man Universe (SSU) is marked by the release of Kraven the Hunter, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and fans are left with numerous unresolved questions about the franchise as it wraps up its six-year run. Once predicted to flourish alongside Marc Webb's The Amazing Spider-Man series, the SSU originated with Venom (2018) but quickly diverged, attempting to establish itself through stand-alone stories featuring some of Spider-Man's greatest foes, yet none of the spidey antics themselves.
The SSU kicked off with the dark and gritty character of Venom, which displayed surprising box office success by grossing $856.1 million. It seemed to set the stage for several sequels and interconnected films. Unfortunately, half of the subsequent six films were deemed both critically and commercially unsuccessful. Particularly noteworthy was the poor reception of Kraven the Hunter, putting the final nail in the coffin of the SSU. Critics pointed out severe flaws, including lackluster scripts, repetitive narratives, and insufficient visual effects. This led Sony to shift its attention toward projects featuring Spider-Man within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), leaving many plot threads dangling.
Among the pressing unresolved storylines is the future of Michael Keaton’s Vulture. Having first appeared in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Vulture later made a puzzling cameo within the SSU’s Morbius. It was suggested his presence there was due to Doctor Strange’s interdimensional spell from Spider-Man: No Way Home, yet this did little to clarify his fate following the SSU’s abrupt ending. This perplexing narrative has led to calls from fans who wish to see him revert back to the MCU or at least be referenced during Spider-Man 4.
Another major question revolves around Venom’s fate post-Venom: The Last Dance. Venom had sacrificed himself, engulfing monsters to prevent Knull from escaping, laying the groundwork for what fans assumed was the character’s final bow. Yet, was he really gone? The film's post-credits scene hinted at his survival through the appearance of a cockroach, provoking speculation about whether Venom could bond with it and continue his story.
Then, there’s the intriguing introduction of Julia Cornwall, Mattie Franklin, and Anya Corazón through the heavily criticized Madame Web. The film’s failure meant audiences saw miniscule glimpses of these Spider-Women; their origin stories remain unexplored. Having familiar histories as powerful characters tied to Spider-Man, many wonder if this could be resurrected should these characters ever transition to the MCU alongside Holland’s Spider-Man.
Martine Bancroft, portrayed by Adria Arjona, also presents questions about her potential transformation following her interaction with Morbius. Her ingestion of Morbius’ blood hinted at her becoming something more—but the SSU’s closure has made it unclear if she will ever reclaim any meaningful narrative development.
Similar disappointments arise when discussing Shriek, played by Naomie Harris, whose narrative lacked depth. With her origins untold, viewers only witness her actions as collateral for Carnage without ever exploring her tragic background accurately, leading fans to feel shortchanged once again.
What of Knull, the villain teased as the next major threat? While The Last Dance laid the foundation for his character without providing substantial payoff, rumors abound about the possibility of revamping Knull post-SSU. Questions remain about his potential escape, who would rise to confront him, and what role he could serve within another theatrical universe.
Then there’s Kraven himself. Although portrayed convincingly by Taylor-Johnson, the collapse of his film's reception leaves the future of the beloved character murky. The movie set him up as someone who could face off against Spider-Man, yet without web-slinger involvement, this narrative has ceased to exist altogether.
Throughout its run, Sony's Spider-Man Universe has been somewhat haunted by its inability to properly introduce and develop Spider-Man himself—an almost laughable oversight for something marketed as the Spider-Man Universe. With only one cameo of Spider-Man embedded through Madame Web, all viewers saw of him was the birth of Peter Parker from Emma Roberts’ character.
Reflecting on Sony's Spider-Man Universe lends many lessons, perhaps highlighting how even established superhero franchises can misfire when neglecting key characters and their stories. The franchise's intention to rely solely on antiheroes and villains without the compelling narrative strengths of Spider-Man may have contributed to its rapid decline. While the Spider-Man brand holds immense potential, SSU’s dysfunctionality remains stark, as it falters under the pressure of ineffective storytelling.
What will follow for these characters, if anything, remains to be seen. Sony's Spider-Man Universe may have concluded, but fans continue to speculate about what could have been and what lies ahead.
