Despite ‘Madame Web,’ SSU Persists: Sony and Amazon Forge Ahead with Universe Expansion

Following the lukewarm reception of “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” (2014), Sony Pictures shelved their plans for spin-off films featuring Spider-Man villains. However, in February 2015, Sony struck a deal with Marvel Studios to incorporate Spider-Man into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
This collaboration resulted in the release of “Spider-Man: Homecoming” (2017), “Spider-Man: Far From Home” (2019), and “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021). Concurrently, Sony independently produced “Venom” (2018) and its sequel “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” (2021), as well as “Morbius” (2022), which included ties to the MCU via mid-credits scenes.
Furthermore, Sony’s animated feature “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (2023) is intricately tied to the Sony Spider-Man Universe (SSU). The majority of SSU films faced criticism, notably “Venom,” “Morbius,” and “Madame Web” (2024), although “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” garnered mixed reviews. Despite grossing $1.6 billion worldwide, “Morbius” and “Madame Web” fell short commercially.
Despite the underperformance of “Madame Web,” many anticipated the demise of the SSU. However, recent reports from Deadline suggest otherwise. This week, it was announced that a series featuring Spider-Man Noir, with Nicholas Cage in the lead role, has been greenlit and is officially in development. Conversely, “Silk: Spider Society” has been canceled.
Additionally, we have two more SSU films slated for release this year: ‘Kraven the Hunter’ and ‘Venom: The Last Dance.’ This indicates that the SSU is poised for further expansion in the coming years. What are your thoughts on this? Share your opinions in the comments section below!