Sony Pictures CEO Tony Vinciquerra seems puzzled as to why films from their live-action Spider-Verse, such as Kraven the Hunter and Madame Web, have tanked at the box office. He attributes the lack of interest to negative press rather than the films' content, claiming that they are not bad movies. The reality remains that the audience prefers stories that feature Spider-Man himself, which these villain-centric films lack. Despite Kraven's considerable budget, its release has reportedly resulted in a dismal worldwide gross of almost $46. Sony's previous attempts with Spider-Man villains have also underperformed, leading to questions about the viability of their current strategy focused on characters who don’t resonate with audiences.

Why did Sony's Spider-Man villain movies fail at the box office?

Sony's Spider-Man villain movies failed primarily because they lack the titular character, Spider-Man, making them less appealing to fans. The films, such as Kraven the Hunter and Madame Web, have been criticized for their weak narratives and unengaging characters that do not hold audience interest.

Spider-Man has been a cornerstone of comic book lore, and his rogues' gallery, while iconic, often requires his presence to elevate the storyline. Venom stands as a unique case, having evolved into an anti-hero with a strong fan base, but other characters like Morbius and Kraven struggle to capture viewer engagement without Spider-Man. Sony's focus on building a Spider-Verse without Spider-Man is a significant misstep in their cinematic strategy.