Kraven the Hunter continues Sony's Spider-Man universe, and some information about the expanding franchise is vital before seeing the Marvel character's live-action debut. SSU has carved out its own niche in the world of superhero cinema, delivering films centered around some of the most iconic characters in the Spider-Man pantheon, regardless of the MCU timeline. With the SSU Kraven the Hunter With its release scheduled for December 2024, it's an excellent time to revisit the essential details of this growing cinematic universe.
SSU started in 2018 Poisona film that took one of Spider-Man's most beloved enemies and reimagined him as a complex antihero. Unlike traditional hero-focused films, Poison leaned into darker themes, highlighting Eddie Brock's flawed humanity and his difficult partnership with the symbiote. Since then, Sony has expanded the universe with Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Venom: The Last Dance, which concluded Tom Hardy's trilogy. About that, Morbius and Lady Teia offered origin stories for the namesake Spider-Man characters. Kraven the Hunter portrays the titular supervillain, a big-game hunter who frequently sets his sights on the Web-Slinger.
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SSU focuses on Spider-Man's most famous enemies in a shared universe
Sony owns the film rights to the Spider-Man franchise
Sony's strategy for the SSU revolves around Spider-Man's legendary villains, while the MCU retains Spider-Man himself. The SSU aims to be a shared universe like the MCUalthough there was little crossover beyond Easter eggs and background references. Poison kicked off the trend by reimagining Eddie Brock's relationship with the symbiote as an unusual but engaging antihero story with a fun romantic comedy inflection.
This was followed by Morbiuswhich added the living vampire to the roster, highlighting the character's morality as a sympathetic villain who often struggles with his affliction. Lady Teia portrayed the titular clairvoyant, who is typically depicted as an ally, albeit an enigmatic and sometimes useless one. Kraven the Hunter offers a gritty, action-packed look at one of Marvel's most formidable hunters. By focusing on their struggles and complexities, SSU offers audiences a more nuanced exploration of Marvel's most infamous bad guys.
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The SSU portrays these villains' origin stories
Venom, Morbius, Madame Web and Kraven the Hunter
One of SSU's hallmarks is its commitment to crafting detailed origin stories for its titular characters. Poison explored Eddie Brock's fall from grace and their eventual symbiotic bond. Morbius delved into Dr. Michael Morbius' tragic quest to cure his rare blood disease, which led to his vampiric transformation. Kraven the Hunter promises continue this trend by diving into the story of Sergei Kravinoffincluding his upbringing and the events that turned him into Marvel's ultimate predator.
Lady Teia is notable for creating an origin story that never existed in the comics. In truth, very little has been released about Madame Web's backstory, but the film constructed an origin story that tied her to the wider world. Spider-Man universe. By focusing on the origins of these characters, Sony not only humanizes them, but also transforms them.provides a deeper understanding of your choices and moral dilemmas.
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The SSU is separate from the Spider-Verse
Sony's Spider-Verse has become a powerful franchise
Although both are produced by Sony, the SSU and the animated film Spider-Verse films are considered completely separate franchises. THE Spider-Verse films (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) celebrates the multiverse and the countless versions of Spider-Man across all dimensions, featuring colorful animation and a diverse cast of Spider-heroes. These films focus on themes of heroism, identity, and the interconnectedness of alternative realities.
Meanwhile, SSU maintains a live-action approach that highlights the darker, more nuanced aspects of Spider-Man's world. This distinction allows both universes to coexist while offering audiences two very different experiences. That said, there is a slight overlap, which could be explained through the multiverse. The most notable example is Nicholas Cage's Spider-Man Noir, which debuted in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse but received its own live-action series set at SSU.
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There is no Spider-Man at SSU, but there is a Peter Parker
Peter Parker appeared in Madame Web
One of the most peculiar aspects of SSU is the deliberate absence of Spider-Man himself. Despite Spider-Man being central to the mythos of characters like Venom and Kraven, the films have largely avoided directly referencing the hero. This absence allows SSU to focus entirely on its titular villains developing their stories without being overshadowed by the Web-Slinger. It is also partially a requirement of Sony's agreement to collaborate with Marvel Studios on Spider-Man films in the MCU.
However, there are subtle hints that there is a Peter Parker in this universe. For example, in Morbiusa graffiti depicting Spider-Man is briefly visible, suggesting the character's presence. Lady Teia is set in 2003 and includes Ben and Mary Parker – Peter Parker's parents. In fact, during the film's climax, May gives birth to Peter Parker, establishing it in the universe. However, he did not appear as an adult or a fully formed hero in the films set later.
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SSU has several Spider-Women
Madame Web introduced three spider women
While Spider-Man's presence is elusive, Sony has made significant strides in bringing the Spider-Women to SSU. Lady Teia featured several female Spidey charactersincluding Cassandra Webb, Julia Carpenter (née Cornwall), Anya Corazón and Mattie Franklin. Alongside Madame Web, this established three heroines who became known as Spider-Woman or Spider-Girl in the comics. Lady Teia served as an origin story for them as well, but only showed them in action after receiving their powers.
With Peter Parker absent from the franchise, the SSU could easily feature a Spider-Woman to serve as a heroic counterpoint to its villainous lineup. By focusing on the Spider-Women, Sony can explore themes of legacy, mentorship and heroism from a different angle, enriching the broader Spider-Man mythos. Its inclusion also paves the way for a more diverse range of narratives and characters as the franchise evolves.
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The SSU is connected to the MCU through the Marvel multiverse
Spider-Man: No Way Home Connected The Spider-Man films
The introduction of the multiverse concept into the MCU allowed for subtle connections between the SSU and the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe. In Spider-Man: No Way HomeEddie Brock and the Venom symbiote briefly appeared in the MCU before being sent back to their universe, signaling that the SSU exists within the larger Marvel multiverse. This recognition opens the door to possible crossovers and collaborations while maintaining the independence of the SSU.
By embracing the multiverse, Sony can leverage its connection to the MCU while creating its own distinct narratives. This interaction between universes can enrich both franchises, creating opportunities for unexpected interactions and shared narratives that keep audiences intrigued. However, in addition to Tom Hardy's cameo in No way homeand the brief reference to Spider-Man Venom: Let There Be Carnage, there was little use of the multiverse by the SSU itself. However, it is established and could come into play in Kraven the Last Hunter.
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The MCU Vulture was transported to the SSU
Vulture first appeared in Spider-Man: Homecoming
One of the most significant ties between SSU and the MCU is the appearance of Adrian Toomes, aka Vulture, in Morbius. Played by Michael Keaton, the villain first appeared in the MCU Spider-Man: Homecomingbut was transported to SSU due to the multiverse-altering events of Spider-Man: No way home. Toomes' arrival sparks intrigue about his role at SSU and hints at the potential for a larger crossover narrative.
Keaton's cameo also hints at the possible formation of a villainous team, aligning with the SSU's apparent trajectory. By incorporating established MCU characters like Vulture, Sony not only enhances its own universe, but also teases fans with the possibility of deeper connections between the two cinematic worlds. However, like the multiverse, this also did not materialize, in the same way mainly serving as an Easter egg for the MCU that seems largely forgotten.
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Tom Holland's Spider-Man is rumored to appear in almost every SSU film
Tom Holland's Spider-Man originated in the MCU
Speculation about Tom Holland's Spider-Man moving to the SSU has been rampant since the beginning of the universe. Although these rumors have not yet been updatedthe possibility remains tantalizing. Holland's portrayal of Spider-Man in the MCU was a huge success, and his inclusion in the SSU would provide a direct link between the two universes. Venom: The Last Dance It was a particularly fertile narrative for these rumors, especially after part of the Venom symbiote was left behind in the MCU.
Other rumors have suggested that Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man could return as part of the SSU. While Garfield's darker, grittier Spider-Man would be ideal for SSU, it seems unlikely to happen. However, there are many rumors about some form of Spider-Man appearing in Kraven the Hunter. Spider-Man's absence from the franchise is certainly a visible stain and it's probably only a matter of time before the Web-Head comes into play.
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SSU is reportedly gearing up for a Sinister Six movie
The MCU also hinted at a Sinister Six movie
Sony's ultimate goal for SSU appears to be a Sinister Six film, bringing together its roster of villains for an epic team-up. The seeds for this project were first planned when The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was in development. Since then, it has evolved into the development of a Avengers-style team event after a series of solo films. This was directly suggested in Morbiuswith Vulture’s recruiting efforts suggesting the formation of Spidey's iconic team of enemies.
While details about the Sinister Six film remain scarce, its potential as a culmination of SSU's interconnected stories could provide a compelling payoff. If executed well, this project could cement SSU's status as a major player in the superhero genre. However, a big problem for the franchise is that its most successful character to date, Tom Hardy's Venom, has apparently retired from the franchise. Additionally, each villain is consistently recast as a tragic hero, meaning that the iconic villain troupe is desperately lacking some real villains.
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Kraven The Hunter's success will dictate the future of SSU
The SSU has a bad record
The SSU is characterized by its ups and downs, with the downs quickly becoming noticeable. Morbius and Lady Teia failed spectacularly, while the Poison the films didn't really hit their stride until the third installment. Although more films are reportedly planned, none have been confirmed beyond Kraven the Hunter. Its success or failure will decide the direction of the SSU's advancement, whether it needs to rethink its plan, or whether the Sinister Six movie will ever materialize.
As one of SSU's most anticipated projects, Kraven the HunterThe success of carries significant weight in determining the trajectory of the universe. With Aaron Taylor-Johnson leading the cast and the promise of a visceral, action-packed story, Kraven the Hunter has the potential to reinvigorate interest in SSU and set a new standard for its future efforts. A strong box office performance and positive reception could solidify SSU's viability, paving the way for more ambitious projects.
Release Dates for Sony's Upcoming Marvel Movies
Kraven the Hunter
- Release date
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December 13, 2024