In a significant shift, Sony is officially ending its attempts to create a shared cinematic universe akin to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The studio’s latest film, Kraven the Hunter, is rumored to be the final chapter in its series of Spider-Man spin-offs, although this claim is currently being contested by Variety. These films feature iconic villain characters that somewhat connect to various iterations of Spider-Man, but notably do not include any of the live-action portrayals we’ve already seen. Unfortunately, Kraven the Hunter is projected to experience a disappointing box office performance, attributed to abysmal critical reviews and a strong negative reaction from audiences on its opening day.

In accordance with data from the polling service CinemaScore, viewers of Kraven the Hunter are unlikely to recommend the film to others, as indicated by its dismal reception. The film received a lackluster C grade from audiences, which is notably lower than the C+ ratings achieved by its predecessors in the Spider-Man spin-off series, Morbius and Madame Web. These films are often regarded as the low points of the superhero genre, attracting negative reviews and giving rise to a plethora of unflattering memes across social media platforms. Only the recent Joker: Folie à Deux and the 2015 iteration of Fantastic Four have garnered worse CinemaScores within the comic book film landscape.

Featuring Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the lead role, Kraven the Hunter currently ranks as the second-lowest rated entry in Sony’s franchise, according to the popular review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. It shares a meager 15% approval rating with Morbius, while Madame Web holds an even more dismal 11% score. Among the six films within this franchise, only the three Venom films can be deemed successful, yet none have achieved a “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, those films collectively amassed over $1.8 billion in global box office revenue. Conversely, Morbius and Madame Web together have only generated approximately $270 million worldwide, highlighting a stark contrast in financial success.

The Decline of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe: A Journey into Obscurity

On a more positive note, Sony has been prudent in managing the production costs of these films. Similar to the budget for Venom: The Last Dance, Kraven the Hunter was produced with an estimated budget of around $120 million, which is significantly lower than the expenditures that most studios typically allocate for major superhero blockbusters today. The film is directed by the acclaimed Oscar-nominated filmmaker J.C. Chandor, known primarily for his work on the intense drama-thrillers Margin Call and A Most Violent Year. The cast also includes notable actors such as Ariana DeBose, Christopher Abbott, Fred Hechinger, Russell Crowe, and Alessandro Nivola, and the film is currently showing in theaters across the country.

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Experience the Action in Kraven the Hunter

Dive into the thrilling origin story of Sergei Kravinoff, famously known as Kraven the Hunter, as he grapples with his complex relationship with his father, Nikolai. This intense journey of vengeance leads Kraven to become a legendary figure in the hunting world, renowned for his unparalleled brutality and fearlessness.

Director

J.C. Chandor

Cast

Aaron Taylor-Johnson , Russell Crowe , Fred Hechinger , Ariana DeBose , Christopher Abbott , Alessandro Nivola , Levi Miller , Chi Lewis-Parry , Billy Barratt , Jessica Zhou , Michael Shaeffer , Dritan Kastrati , Greg Kolpakchi , Elander Moore , Filiz Fairweather , Duran Fulton Brown , Alex Skarbek , Rachel Handshaw , Preslav Shipkaliev , Murat Seven , Robert Ryan

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