Top 10 Underutilized Characters in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe

Sony’s Spider-Man Universe: A Mixed Bag of Character Adaptations

Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU) promised an innovative cinematic landscape filled with beloved Marvel characters. While it successfully introduced several iconic villains and anti-heroes, the representation of various classic allies and adversaries often fell short. The objective to expand upon Spider-Man’s rich lore has incorrectly squandered opportunities to develop some of its most intriguing characters, leaving fans wanting more.

As the curtain falls on the SSU with the release of Kraven the Hunter, fans reflect on the journey of key figures like Venom, Morbius, and Madame Web, who each enjoyed their spotlight yet failed to fulfill the high expectations set by their comic book counterparts. Numerous fan-favorite characters made appearances, but many ended up poorly executed or sidelined, detracting from their inherent potential.

10
Morbius: A Missed Horror Icon

Morbius

Morbius, known as The Living Vampire, is one of Marvel’s most tragic characters, seamlessly blending gothic horror with elements of science fiction. The film adaptation had the potential to explore his transformation and internal struggle, showcasing the tension between his monstrous instincts and his heroic aspirations. Unfortunately, Sony’s Morbius was largely disappointing, overshadowed by conventional storytelling and uninspired action sequences.

Instead of harnessing Morbius’ gothic roots, the film presented a routine superhero origin narrative punctuated by uninspiring dialogues. While Jared Leto captured Morbius’ physicality, the screenplay lacked substance, transforming him into a forgettable figure. The villain Milo, rather than serving as a compelling antagonist, came across as overly cartoonish, ultimately relegating Morbius’ rich history and potential for horror to the background.

9
Carnage: A Comedic Misfire

Venom: Let There Be Carnage

The announcement of Woody Harrelson’s involvement as Carnage stirred excitement for a dark adaptation of this sadistic villain. However, Venom: Let There Be Carnage struggled with inconsistent tones, allowing slapstick humor to overshadow Carnage’s sinister nature. Instead of presenting a terrifying sociopath harmonizing with an alien symbiote, the film offered a comedic portrayal lacking the necessary intensity.

The hurried pace and superficial exploration of Carnage’s background left audiences wanting. By relegating him to a secondary role, the film ultimately squandered the chance to portray one of Spider-Man’s most notorious villains, which diminished expectations of a gripping and fearsome narrative.

8
Calypso: A Forgotten Ally

Kraven the Hunter

In the realms of Marvel Comics, Calypso stands out as a compelling voodoo priestess and an integral figure tied to Kraven the Hunter. However, her portrayal in Kraven the Hunter fell flat, merely serving as a vehicle for advancing Kraven’s narrative, without delving into her intriguing capabilities. This reduced characterization missed out on showcasing Calypso’s magical prowess and the depth of her relationship with Kraven.

The lack of meaningful interaction and development resulted in a lost opportunity to elevate the film’s emotional stakes and mystical elements, leaving audiences wishing for a more nuanced portrayal that highlights her significant role in the comics.

7
Chameleon: Too Little, Too Late

Kraven the Hunter

Dmitri Smerdyakov, also known as Chameleon, is recognized as one of Spider-Man’s earliest foes, embodying the essence of disguise and deception. Yet, his introduction in Kraven the Hunter was underwhelming; appearing late in the storyline and lacking agency until the final act.

By only revealing Chameleon’s full potential toward the end, the film squandered his ability to generate excitement throughout the plot. Instead of using his talents for creating intrigue, he ultimately served as an underdeveloped side character, consequently diminishing his status as a key adversary in Spider-Man’s universe.

6
Spider-Women: Disappointing Debuts

Madame Web

Introducing three Spider-Women—Julia Carpenter, Anya Corazon, and Mattie Franklin—in Madame Web created immense potential for a deeper examination of their individual backgrounds and powers. Regrettably, the film relegated them to mere supporting roles, neglecting their distinct comic book histories and character arcs.

Their interactions felt superficial, and their unique abilities were reduced to mere flashbacks. This left viewers with missed prospects to see formidable female heroes join forces with Spider-Man, limiting the diversity and richness of the narratives within the SSU.

5
Rhino: A Brief Transformation

Kraven the Hunter

Aleksei Sytsevich, aka Rhino, boasts an intriguing premise as a man transformed into a beastly hybrid through experimental procedures. However, this film adaptation underutilized his character to the point that Rhino’s full transformation occurred only during the climactic conflict.

This limited portrayal neglected to present the character’s struggles and moral complexities, ultimately relegating him to a brute antagonist devoid of deeper layers. A more thorough exploration of his internal conflicts could have transformed Rhino into one of the standout villains of the SSU.

4
The Jackal: A Missed Opportunity

Kraven the Hunter

Miles Warren, known as The Jackal, is infamous for his dark obsession with cloning and his schemes involving Gwen Stacy. Unfortunately, in the SSU, he was merely a footnote—mentioned in Kraven the Hunter but never visually introduced. This absence squandered the potential for exploring his morally complex nature and genetic manipulation expertise.

By relegating The Jackal to an Easter egg status, the film missed an opportunity to develop a character surrounded by ethical dilemmas, leaving fans disappointed and curious if a more substantial iteration will ever be realized.