Sony Pictures has reportedly canceled its planned Spider-Man villain universe, according to ComicBookMovie.com. The decision could mark a major shift for the future of the Spider-Man franchise, particularly within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
The canceled projects include spin-off films centered on characters like Knull, who was recently introduced in Venom: The Last Dance. Other characters such as Morbius, Madame Web, and Kraven the Hunter were also part of Sony’s broader villain-focused universe, which received mixed to negative reviews from both critics and fans.
While the Venom films performed best among Sony’s spin-offs, their critical reception remained lukewarm. The first Venom film scored 31% on Rotten Tomatoes, Venom: Let There Be Carnage improved to 58%, and Venom: The Last Dance ended with 40%. In contrast, the MCU’s Spider-Man trilogy starring Tom Holland has been widely praised, earning scores above 90% on Rotten Tomatoes for all three films.
The reported end of Sony’s villain universe may have a positive impact on the MCU. Sony’s previous plans limited which characters Marvel Studios could use in their Spider-Man films. With those restrictions potentially lifted, the MCU may now have access to a broader range of iconic Spider-Man villains, including Venom and Kraven the Hunter.
This development could also allow Marvel Studios to expand on storylines that were previously off-limits. One such opportunity is the post-credits scene from Spider-Man: No Way Home, which teased the introduction of the Venom symbiote into the MCU. With the villain universe reportedly shelved, Marvel could now tell its own version of the Venom story—one that is more connected to Peter Parker’s emotional journey.
Some fans also believe Marvel might revisit concepts originally intended for Sony’s Madame Web film, such as exploring Peter Parker’s destiny and the idea of fate in the multiverse. This could offer deeper storytelling opportunities in future Spider-Man films, potentially linking back to Marvel’s broader themes introduced in shows like Loki.
While Sony has not officially confirmed the cancellation, the reported decision signals a possible end to its independent Spider-Man universe and a new chapter for Spider-Man within the MCU.
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