3 Ways the MCU Demonstrated the Longevity of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe

Sony’s Spider-Man Universe may be nearing its conclusion sooner than anticipated, yet this doesn’t imply that its array of Marvel characters will also fade into obscurity. With Sony holding the cinematic rights to Spider-Man, Marvel Studios cannot feature the iconic web-slinger, his allies, or adversaries in any live action media without securing an agreement with Sony. This legal framework has allowed Sony to build an expansive franchise focusing on the characters from Spider-Man’s universe. However, following the successful collaboration between Marvel and Sony, which brought Spider-Man into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Sony’s films have shifted focus to explore Spidey’s rogues, while audiences have enjoyed Tom Holland’s portrayal of Peter Parker alongside the Avengers.

Despite these efforts, only the Venom trilogy has garnered favorable box office performance. In sharp contrast, films like Morbius, Madame Web, and Kraven the Hunter have been met with increasingly negative reviews and disappointing box office results. Although Sony announced upcoming projects, such as El Muerto, Hypno Hustler, and Silk, the studio appears to be recalibrating its focus away from the initial vision of the Spider-Man Universe, redirecting attention towards other Marvel narratives, including Spider-Noir, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, and the anticipated Spider-Man 4. Consequently, the future of characters from Sony’s Spider-Man Universe remains uncertain, yet there are several pathways through which they could be reintegrated into the MCU.

The MCU Can Revive SSU Characters Before the Multiverse Saga Concludes

Avengers: Secret Wars: A Gateway for SSU Characters

As Sony’s Spider-Man Universe faces pivotal challenges, the concluding chapter of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga is gaining momentum. Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars are poised to deliver climactic showdowns that encompass nearly all Marvel properties throughout cinematic history. With Phase 6’s Avengers films likely featuring characters such as the X-Men from Fox and alternate Spider-Men portrayed by Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, there lies a substantial opportunity for characters from Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, like Venom and Morbius, to make a comeback and cross paths with MCU heroes.

Evidence of this multiversal connection has already revealed itself. In the post-credits scene of Morbius, Jared Leto’s Michael Morbius encounters Michael Keaton’s Adrian Toomes (the Vulture), who finds himself inexplicably transported from the MCU’s Earth-616 due to the repercussions of Spider-Man and Doctor Strange’s spell in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Additionally, Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock briefly appears in the MCU during the same film. Likewise, Avengers: Secret Wars could facilitate a seamless introduction of Venom, Morbius, and Kraven into Earth-616, whether for an extended stay or as participants in MCU’s take on Battleworld.

The SSU Characters: A Potential Return Through Incursion in Spider-Man 4

Spider-Man 4: A Multiversal Connection

Multiversal Spidey villains in Spider-Man No Way Home's ending incursion rift

The resolution to Sony’s Spider-Man Universe may lie hidden within the climactic sequences of Spider-Man: No Way Home. During the film’s climactic battle, Doctor Strange contends with protecting Earth-616 as an incursion threatens reality. This rupture in the multiverse unveils several characters linked to Spider-Man, such as Kraven the Hunter, Rhino, Scorpion, and Mysterio. Given that Spider-Man 4 might adopt a multiversal theme, a similar incursion could easily transition these characters into the MCU.

Notably, the cameos of Kraven and Rhino during the incursion hint at their future roles, with both villains set to face off in the upcoming Kraven the Hunter. Another shadow glimpsed in the rift appears to be Madame Web, whose film was released post-No Way Home. This suggests that Spider-Man 4 could effectively capitalize on these elements and introduce a substantial incursion event, thus establishing a legitimate narrative avenue for bringing these figures into the MCU and explaining Vulture’s reappearance in his original timeline.

Marvel and Sony’s MCU Spider-Man Films: A Chance for a Soft Reboot

Phase 7: The Potential to Revamp Spider-Man’s World

If Marvel and Sony choose not to integrate the characters from Sony’s Spider-Man Universe into the upcoming MCU phases, the next saga may simply introduce fresh versions of these beloved characters. Realigning Spider-Man’s villains within the MCU would, however, necessitate Sony relinquishing or at least renegotiating the cinematic rights they currently hold. Initially, this scenario seemed improbable in early 2024, but following the underwhelming performances of Madame Web and Kraven the Hunter, it may now be a possibility worth considering. Obviously, continued releases from the SSU could lead to only diminishing financial returns for Sony.

Historically in the comics, narratives similar to Secret Wars saw characters like Miles Morales transition from one universe to another permanently. Consequently, should Sony recognizes the inevitability of moving past its current iterations of the Spider-Man Universe, Phase 7 may serve as an ideal opportunity to fully integrate these characters back into the MCU. This could be akin to comic adaptations, wherein a reimagined multiverse allows Sony’s legacy characters—including Venom, Kraven, Morbius, Rhino, Carnage, and Chameleon—to coexist as iconic adversaries along with heroes like Madame Web and Spider-Woman.

Why Sony’s Spider-Man Characters Deserve Another Opportunity in the MCU

The Characters’ Potential Misrepresented by Film Failures

Characters like Jared Leto’s Morbius, Dakota Johnson’s Madame Web, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Kraven the Hunter, along with their respective adversaries, have not been embraced by audiences in the same way as many MCU figures. Notably, Morbius’ turbulent release cycle led to the character unintentionally becoming associated with memes rather than substantial storytelling. Similarly, Madame Web’s promotional materials have sparked ridicule rather than anticipation. However, the original comic book iterations of these characters offer rich narratives that could translate effectively to the big screen, whether in standalone films or as supporting figures across multiple MCU projects.

Notably, the actors involved in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, including Tom Hardy, Jared Leto, and Dakota Johnson, have proven themselves through outstanding performances in a range of genres beyond superhero films. Thus, the blame for the franchise’s setbacks should not lie with them. Additionally, the characters from Sony’s Spider-Man Universe rank among the most recognizable Marvel villains, even outstripping some of the latest MCU antagonists in popularity. If the MCU has successfully revitalized lesser-known villains—like Iron Monger and He Who Remains—there’s no reason the same cannot be done for characters from the SSU.

As Sony reassesses its connection to the Spider-Man spinoffs, there’s a possibility that Tom Holland’s Spider-Man may eventually confront a well-rounded version of the Sinister Six within the MCU.

Throughout the Multiverse Saga, the MCU has demonstrated an impressive ability to reshape the public perception of various characters, often with minimal yet impactful appearances. For instance, Anson Mount’s Black Bolt made a memorable comeback in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, effectively redefining the character in contrast to his earlier portrayal. Moreover, Jamie Foxx’s Electro received significant depth in Spider-Man: No Way Home, contrasting his previous appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. A well-written script could similarly redeem Sony’s Spider-Man Universe characters and transform their legacies.

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