10 Great Marvel Stories Sony's Spider-Man Universe Movies Wasted

Spoiler alert! This article contains spoilers for Kraven the Hunter.

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Sony’s Spider-Man Universe set up some great Marvel stories that could have elevated the franchise that will never be resolved. Kraven the Hunter stands as the last official entry in the SSU, closing the critically panned universe of Spider-Man-related characters. Though films like Venom, Morbius, and Madame Web introduced compelling ideas, they rarely followed through on them, leaving tantalizing threads unresolved in the hopes of establishing a long-running franchise. Instead, audiences are left with a string of established narratives that were completely squandered.

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The SSU launched in 2018 with Venom and was marketed as an alternate corner of the Marvel landscape, independent of the MCU movies yet still tied to Spider-Man lore. Despite occasional moments of creativity, the series struggled to balance its ambitious plans with coherent storytelling, leaving many arcs underdeveloped or abandoned entirely. Now that Sony’s Spider-Man Universe has ended, It’s clear how many unexplored narratives were being seeded throughout the franchise.

10 Knull’s Invasion Of Earth

Venom: The Last Dance

Introduced in Marvel Comics’ Venom (2018) run by Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman, Knull’s invasion of Earth was a high-stakes, apocalyptic storyline that reshaped the Marvel Universe. The SSU hinted at Knull’s arrival in Venom: Let There Be Carnage before introducing him in Venom: The Last Dance. The whole of The Last Dance teased his invasion of Earth. When that didn’t occur, it seemed the SSU was establishing him as a future threat.

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Adapting Knull could have been the franchise’s crowning achievement. The storyline involves the Symbiotes rebelling against their creator and rallying alongside Earth’s heroes to stop his dark conquest. The SSU’s existing narrative foundation provided the perfect setup for this cosmic battle. It could have been precisely the catalyst to form a version of the Sinister Six, bringing together the numerous antiheroes across the franchise to face the villain.

9 Kraven’s Ending Set Up A Fascinating Future For The Antihero Just As Sony’s Spider-Man Universe Finished

Kraven: The Hunter

Kraven the Hunter ended on a high note, finally transforming Sergei Kravinoff into his powerful Kraven the Hunter persona from Marvel Comics. In the final scenes, Kraven discusses his actions with his brother Dmitri, posing an intriguing debate regarding Kraven’s brand of heroism. It pondered whether Kraven really was a complex antihero with his own vision of justice or simply an imitation of their villainous father. Kraven then dons his iconic lion-head jacket, marking his full evolution into the hunter seen in the comics.

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These scenes proffer the most compelling aspect of Kraven the Hunter, exploring the line between antihero and villain. It provokes questions about whether he will become the villain seen in the comics or remain one of the SSU’s afflicted heroes. With the SSU’s abrupt ending, this, along with numerous other examples, suggest that the best the SSU had to offer was still to come.

8 Morbius Teams Up With Vulture

Morbius

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The post-credits scene of Morbius featured Adrian Toomes, aka the Vulture, approaching Dr. Michael Morbius with a cryptic proposal: “I think we should team up.” This moment seemed to lay the groundwork for a Sinister Six film, uniting Spider-Man’s most infamous villains. Unfortunately, the SSU never pursued this storyline again, making it the franchise’s most glaring missed opportunity.

The idea of Morbius and Vulture forming an alliance was intriguing, as it hinted at a larger shared universe akin to the MCU. However, this idea was never referenced in subsequent films, leaving audiences to wonder what plans Sony had in store. A Sinister Six movie could have been the SSU’s answer to Marvel’s Avengers, uniting its disparate characters under a common goal. Instead, the SSU’s shared universe concept remained superficial, with no meaningful connections between its films.

7 Dr. Teddy Paine Bonds With Agony

Venom: The Last Dance

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Venom: The Last Dance introduced Dr. Teddy Paine, a scientist whose work with the Symbiotes led her to ultimately bond with a Symbiote during the movie’s climactic final battle. Paine bonds with Agony, a well-known Symbiote from the comics, setting up a thrilling new potential chapter in the SSU. Agony’s debut suggested a more expansive Symbiote narrative would follow – which would have been ideal for an adaptation of Knull’s invasion of Earth.

The pairing of Paine and Agony promised an exciting dynamic, exploring how human ambition and tragedy could influence a Symbiote’s power and bond with its host. This setup also hinted at a broader exploration of Symbiote mythology, expanding the franchise’s Symbiote line-up with more benevolent monsters. However, with the SSU’s abrupt conclusion, this storyline was left dangling, depriving audiences of what could have been a gripping continuation of the Symbiote saga.

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6 The Remnants Of The Venom Symbiote

Spider-Man: No Way Home

The multiverse fragments of the Venom Symbiote were another thread the SSU left unresolved. Following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, a piece of Venom remained in the MCU, while Venom: The Last Dance revealed that Strickland had captured a fragment from a Mexican bar. These lingering remnants hinted at a future where the Symbiote’s influence could spread across multiple timelines.

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The idea of Venom’s remnants playing a larger role in the Marvel multiverse was rich with potential. For instance, the SSU could have explored new hosts or even crossed over with the MCU timeline to introduce characters like Miles Morales or Gwen Stacy. Instead, these fragments became narrative loose ends, a frustrating reminder of what could have been. The untapped potential of Venom’s multiversal reach remains one of the SSU’s greatest missed opportunities.

5 The Spider-Women Swing Into Action

Madame Web

Madame Web introduced three spider-powered heroes: Julia Carpenter, Mattie Franklin, and Anya Corazon. The film featured only glimpses of their future exploits through flash-forwards, teasing their eventual transformation into fully realized Spider-Women while working under the guidance of Madame Web. However, these scenes served more as setup than payoff, as the movie primarily focused on their origin stories with only brief glimpses of their fully formed heroics.

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The Spider-Women’s brief appearances teased dynamic future adventures. Their diverse powers and personalities could have anchored a series of spin-offs, expanding the SSU’s roster of heroes. Additionally, Madame Web’s role as a mentor and strategist hinted at a larger network of spider-heroes working behind the scenes. Sadly, the SSU’s premature end means audiences will likely never see these characters reach their full potential, wasting a golden opportunity to spotlight Marvel’s female spider-heroes.

4 Rex Strickland’s Shadowy Boss

Venom: The Last Dance

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Venom: The Last Dance introduced Rex Strickland, a morally ambiguous military figure working under the orders of a mysterious superior. This shadowy figure – presumably a high-ranking governmental official – was implied to have a vested interest in the Symbiotes, potentially setting up a larger conspiracy within the SSU. This subplot hinted at a clandestine organization akin to S.H.I.E.L.D. or Norman Osborne’s Oscorp, with plans to weaponize the Symbiotes at some point in the future.

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Strickland’s storyline was one of the most intriguing elements of Venom: The Last Dance, offering a grounded counterpoint to the franchise’s larger-than-life characters. However, the film ends without revealing the identity or motives of Strickland’s boss, leaving this mystery unresolved. This missed opportunity robbed the SSU of a compelling antagonist and a chance to explore the intersection of government, science, and alien biology.

3 Eddie Brock’s Son Dylan Was Teased And Would Have Fit With Knull’s Invasion

Venom: The Last Dance

In Venom: The Last Dance, Eddie Brock’s interactions with a young boy hinted at the arrival of Dylan Brock, a pivotal character from the comics. In the source material, Dylan is Eddie’s son and becomes a key figure in the fight against Knull. The film’s subtle nods to Eddie’s potential as a father, including Venom’s touching remarks about Eddie being a good father, seemed to allude to this storyline.

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Dylan’s introduction could have seamlessly tied into the SSU’s broader narrative, particularly if the franchise had pursued Knull’s invasion of Earth. His unique bond with the Symbiotes and his role as a host would have added depth to Eddie’s character and expanded the SSU’s mythology. Providing the perfect opportunity to continue the story after Tom Hardy’s Venom trilogy concluded. Unfortunately, the SSU ended before Dylan’s story could be actualized.

2 Chameleon’s Descent Into Villainy

Kraven the Hunter

Kraven the Hunter featured Dmitri Smerdyakov, aka the Chameleon, as a central figure in Sergei’s journey. The film’s climax revealed Dmitri’s transformation into the iconic white-headed metamorph, setting up a potential conflict between the brothers. This twist positioned the Chameleon as a future antagonist, with the potential to challenge Kraven both personally and professionally. The movie even ends with the two sizing each other up and alluding to a future confrontation.

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The Chameleon’s descent into villainy could have provided a compelling narrative arc for the SSU, exploring themes of family loyalty and betrayal. Additionally, Dmitri’s mastery of disguise and deception made him a formidable foe, capable of destabilizing Kraven’s antiheroic path. However, the SSU’s abrupt conclusion left this storyline unresolved, wasting one of Spider-Man’s most intriguing villains. Chameleon was Spider-Man’s first ever adversary, so he should have been given real time to flourish as a villain.

1 Spider-Man Was Teased And Then Only Mentioned As An Infant

Morbius, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, & Madame Web

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Spider-Man’s absence from the SSU was perhaps the most glaring omission. It was made even more galling by the franchise’s repeated teases of his appearance. Graffiti of Spider-Man appeared on a wall in Morbius, and Venom: Let There Be Carnage featured Venom’s fascination with Peter Parker during a multiverse crossover. Most notably, Madame Web referenced Peter’s birth in 2003, establishing his existence within the SSU timeline.

Despite these teases, Spider-Man never appeared in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. His absence felt especially jarring given the franchise’s reliance on his rogues’ gallery and supporting characters. A proper Spider-Man introduction could have unified the SSU’s disparate elements and provided a central figure to rally around (or against). Rumors persisted with each installment that some rendition of Spider-Man would appear – frequently suggesting Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man. Instead, the SSU ended with only fleeting references to its most iconic character.

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20 9/10 Venom PG-13 Sci-FiActionHorror

Venom is an action sci-fi movie that stars Tom Hardy as the titular Marvel anti-hero. When the Life Foundation begins experimenting on alien lifeforms they find on a comet that landed nearby, Investigative Journalist Eddie Brock begins to investigate them. When an infiltration goes wrong, Eddie finds that one of the aliens has bonded to him, forcing him to learn to live with his new uninvited host. Giving him superhuman powers, the two begin to work together to stop the rest of the symbiote’s invasive species.

Release Date October 5, 2018 Runtime 112 Minutes Cast Woody Harrelson , Jenny Slate , Michelle Williams , Scott Haze , Tom Hardy , Riz Ahmed Director Ruben Fleischer Writers Scott Rosenberg , Jeff Pinkner Studio(s) Columbia Pictures , Marvel Entertainment , Arad Productions Distributor(s) Sony Pictures Releasing Expand
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12 7.3/10 Venom: Let There Be Carnage PG-13Sci-FiActionAdventure

Venom: Let There Be Carnage, directed by Andy Serkis, follows Eddie Brock, portrayed by Tom Hardy, as he struggles to coexist with the alien symbiote Venom. The film introduces the antagonist Cletus Kasady, a serial killer transformed into the menacing Carnage after becoming host to an alien symbiote.

Release Date October 1, 2021 Runtime 97 minutes Cast Tom Hardy , Woody Harrelson , Michelle Williams , Naomie Harris , Reid Scott , Stephen Graham , Peggy Lu , Sian Webber , Michelle Greenidge , Rob Bowen , Laurence Spellman , Little Simz , Jack Bandeira , Olumide Olorunfemi , Scroobius Pip , Amrou Al-Kadhi , Beau Sargent , Brian Copeland , Stewart Alexander , Sean Delaney , Ed Kear , Emma Lau , Louis j Rhone , Christopher Godwin , Tiffanie Thomas , Rocky Capella , Sam Robinson , Greg Lockett , Sonny Ashbourne Serkis , Otis Winston , Vaughn Johseph , Kristen Simoes , Miguel Angel Arreguin , Shaliz Afshar , Reece Shearsmith , Simon Connolly , Rachel Handshaw , Amanda Foster Director Andy Serkis Writers Tom Hardy , Kelly Marcel , Mark Bagley , David Michelinie , Tom DeFalco , Todd McFarlane Studio(s) Sony Distributor(s) Sony Expand
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124 8.3/10 Venom: The Last Dance PG-13Adventure Sci-FiActionSuperhero

Venom: The Last Dance is a film directed by an undisclosed director, featuring the character Venom in a thrilling narrative. The movie explores the alien symbiote’s latest challenges and transformations as it navigates through a world full of danger and new adversaries.

Release Date October 25, 2024 Runtime 110 Minutes Cast Tom Hardy , Chiwetel Ejiofor , Juno Temple , Rhys Ifans , Stephen Graham , Peggy Lu , Clark Backo , Alanna Ubach , Cristo Fernández , Jared Abrahamson , Hala Finley , Dash McCloud , Andy Serkis , Reid Scott , Jack Brady , Ivo Nandi , Jake Allyn , Otis Winston , Jacob Tomuri , Brooke Carter , Fflyn Edwards , Elijah Cook , Norma Butikofer , Elizabeth Cook , Angie Hsu , Martin McDougall Director Kelly Marcel Writers Kelly Marcel , Tom Hardy Studio(s) Columbia Pictures , Marvel Entertainment , Pascal Pictures Distributor(s) Sony Expand
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2.9/10 Morbius PG-13DramaActionAdventureHorror

Morbius stars Jared Leto as the enigmatic antihero Michael Morbius set in the Sony Pictures Marvel universe. Afflicted with a terrible illness since his youth, Michael has struggled until he met his new surrogate brother, Lucian, nicknamed Milo (Matt Smith), who shares the same disease. The two bond over the illness, and years later, Michael discovers a potential breakthrough by using a unique gene in vampire bats. When the experiment proves to be a success, it cures Michael of his ailment – however, it also turns him into a bloodthirsty vampire. While Michael aims to curtail his bloodlust, his brother, who has also taken the cure, does not share the same empathy. As a result, Michael will have to manage his powers while trying to stop his brother’s murderous rampage.

Release Date April 1, 2022 Runtime 108 minutes Cast Adria Arjona , Al Madrigal , Jared Harris , Matt Smith , Jared Leto , Tyrese Gibson Director Daniel Espinosa Writers Matt Sazama , Burk Sharpless Studio(s) Sony Distributor(s) Sony Expand
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5.8/10 Madame Web PG-13Action Sci-FiSuperheroAdventure

Madame Web is a superhero movie based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Taking place in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, the movie revolves around a clairvoyant woman who can look into different dimensions. Dakota Johnson stars in the lead role, with Sydney Sweeney, Adam Scott, Isabela Merced, and Celeste O’Connor comprising the rest of the cast.

Release Date February 14, 2024 Runtime 116 Minutes Cast Dakota Johnson , Emma Roberts , Adam Scott , Isabela Merced , Sydney Sweeney Director S.J. Clarkson Writers Burk Sharpless , Matt Sazama , Kerem Sanga , Claire Parker , S.J. Clarkson Studio(s) Columbia Pictures , Di Bonaventura Pictures Distributor(s) Sony Pictures Releasing Expand
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48 6.9/10 Kraven the Hunter RActionAdventure Sci-Fi

Kraven the Hunter explores the origin story of Sergei Kravinoff, known as Kraven, as he navigates his tumultuous relationship with his father, Nikolai. This path of vengeance sets Kraven on a journey to become a formidable hunter with a reputation for fearsome brutality.

Release Date December 13, 2024 Runtime 127 Minutes Cast Aaron Taylor-Johnson , Russell Crowe , Fred Hechinger , Ariana DeBose , Christopher Abbott , Alessandro Nivola , Levi Miller , Chi Lewis-Parry , Billy Barratt , Jessica Zhou , Michael Shaeffer , Dritan Kastrati , Greg Kolpakchi , Elander Moore , Filiz Fairweather , Duran Fulton Brown , Alex Skarbek , Rachel Handshaw , Preslav Shipkaliev , Murat Seven , Robert Ryan Director J.C. Chandor Writers Art Marcum , Richard Wenk , Matt Holloway Studio(s) Sony Distributor(s) Sony Expand