Spoiler alert! This article contains spoilers for Kraven the Hunter.

Sony’s Spider-Man Universe has set the stage for numerous captivating Marvel storylines, many of which remain unresolved and could have significantly enriched the franchise. Kraven the Hunter marks the final official installment in the SSU, bringing closure to a universe that has faced considerable criticism. While films like Venom, Morbius, and Madame Web introduced intriguing concepts, they often fell short of fully developing these ideas, leaving audiences with dangling plot threads instead of a cohesive narrative. This has resulted in a series of squandered opportunities where established characters and story arcs have failed to reach their full potential.

The SSU began in 2018 with the release of Venom, positioned as an alternate segment of the Marvel landscape that is separate from the MCU yet still connected to Spider-Man lore. Despite some creative moments sprinkled throughout the series, it struggled to harmonize its ambitious vision with coherent storytelling, leading to many arcs either being underdeveloped or entirely abandoned. Now that Sony’s Spider-Man Universe has come to a close, it becomes increasingly evident how many stories were left unexplored, showcasing the vast potential that was never realized.

10 The High-Stakes Conflict of Knull’s Invasion of Earth

The Epic Showdown in Venom: The Last Dance

Introduced in the 2018 run of Venom penned by Donny Cates and illustrated by Ryan Stegman, Knull’s invasion of Earth was a high-stakes, apocalyptic narrative that had the potential to reshape the Marvel Universe as we know it. The SSU hinted at Knull’s impending arrival in Venom: Let There Be Carnage, paving the way for his introduction in Venom: The Last Dance. The entirety of The Last Dance served as a precursor to his invasion of Earth, yet when this pivotal moment did not materialize, it appeared that the SSU was merely teasing Knull as a future threat.

Adapting Knull could have proven to be the franchise’s crowning achievement. The storyline revolves around the Symbiotes rebelling against their creator, uniting with Earth’s heroes to thwart his dark conquest. The existing narrative framework of the SSU provided a perfect setup for this cosmic battle, which could have served as the catalyst for assembling a version of the Sinister Six. This would have brought together the various antiheroes from across the franchise to confront a powerful villain, creating a thrilling spectacle for audiences.

9 Kraven’s Ending Sets the Stage for an Intriguing Future for the Antihero

The Transformation of Kraven in Kraven the Hunter

In the concluding scenes of Kraven the Hunter, we witness the remarkable evolution of Sergei Kravinoff into the iconic Kraven the Hunter persona from the comics. The final moments feature Kraven engaging in a philosophical discussion with his brother Dmitri about his actions, sparking a thought-provoking debate surrounding Kraven’s unique brand of heroism. This discussion raises the compelling question of whether Kraven is genuinely a complex antihero with a distinct vision of justice or merely a reflection of their villainous father. The moment Kraven dons his signature lion-head jacket signifies his complete transformation into the legendary hunter depicted in the comics.

These pivotal scenes represent the most captivating aspect of Kraven the Hunter, as they delve into the intricate line separating antiheroes from villains. This narrative provokes critical questions about whether Kraven will develop into the villainous character that fans recognize from the comics or if he will remain one of the afflicted heroes within the SSU. With the franchise’s abrupt conclusion, this moment, along with various others, suggests that the most compelling narratives of the SSU were still on the horizon.

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These scenes proffer the most compelling aspect of Kraven the Hunter, exploring the line between antihero and villain. It provokes questions about whether he will become the villain seen in the comics or remain one of the SSU’s afflicted heroes. With the SSU’s abrupt ending, this, along with numerous other examples, suggest that the best the SSU had to offer was still to come.

8 The Intriguing Alliance: Morbius Teams Up with Vulture

The Potential of Morbius

The post-credits scene of Morbius featured Adrian Toomes, also known as the Vulture, approaching Dr. Michael Morbius with a cryptic proposal: “I think we should team up.” This pivotal moment was intended to lay the groundwork for a potential Sinister Six film, uniting a roster of Spider-Man’s most notorious villains. Unfortunately, the SSU never revisited this storyline, marking it as one of the franchise’s most glaring missed opportunities.

The idea of Morbius and Vulture forming an alliance was particularly intriguing, suggesting the possibility of a more extensive shared universe, much like the MCU. However, this concept was never referenced in subsequent films, leaving audiences in suspense regarding Sony’s plans. A Sinister Six movie could have been the SSU’s answer to Marvel’s Avengers, bringing together its disparate characters under a unified objective. Instead, the SSU’s attempts at a shared universe remained superficial, lacking meaningful connections among its films.

7 The Dynamic Connection: Dr. Teddy Paine Bonds with Agony

The Unfolding Story in Venom: The Last Dance

Venom: The Last Dance introduced Dr. Teddy Paine, a scientist whose groundbreaking work with the Symbiotes ultimately led her to bond with one during the film’s climactic final battle. Paine’s connection with Agony, a well-known Symbiote from the comics, hinted at an exciting new chapter in the SSU. This debut of Agony suggested that a more expansive Symbiote narrative was on the horizon, which could have been perfectly suited for an adaptation of Knull’s invasion of Earth.

The pairing of Paine and Agony promised to create an exciting dynamic, exploring how human ambition and tragedy could influence a Symbiote’s power and bond with its host. This setup also hinted at a broader exploration of the Symbiote mythology, expanding the franchise’s lineup with more benevolent monsters. However, with the SSU’s abrupt conclusion, this storyline was left unresolved, depriving audiences of what could have been a gripping continuation of the Symbiote saga.

6 The Unresolved Threads: The Remnants of the Venom Symbiote

The Multiverse and Spider-Man: No Way Home

The multiverse fragments of the Venom Symbiote represent yet another narrative thread that the SSU left unresolved. Following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, a piece of the Venom Symbiote remained within the MCU, while Venom: The Last Dance revealed that Strickland had captured a fragment from a Mexican bar. These lingering remnants hinted at a future where the Symbiote’s influence could spread across multiple timelines, potentially intertwining with various characters within the broader Marvel multiverse.

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The potential of Venom’s remnants playing a larger role in the Marvel multiverse was rich with possibilities. The SSU could have delved into new hosts or even crossed over with the MCU timeline to introduce beloved characters like Miles Morales or Gwen Stacy. Instead, these fragments became narrative loose ends, serving as a frustrating reminder of what could have been. The untapped potential of Venom’s multiversal influence remains one of the greatest missed opportunities of the SSU.

5 The Spider-Women: A New Generation of Heroes Ready to Swing Into Action

The Future of Spider-Women in Madame Web

Madame Web introduced three spider-powered heroes: Julia Carpenter, Mattie Franklin, and Anya Corazon. The film featured only glimpses of their future exploits through flash-forwards, teasing their eventual transformation into fully realized Spider-Women while working under the guidance of Madame Web. However, these scenes served more as setup than payoff, as the movie primarily focused on their origin stories with only brief glimpses of their fully formed heroics.

The brief appearances of the Spider-Women hinted at dynamic future adventures that could have anchored a series of spin-offs, further expanding the SSU’s roster of heroes. Each character’s unique powers and personalities had the potential to resonate with audiences. Additionally, Madame Web’s role as a mentor and strategist suggested the existence of a larger network of spider-heroes working together behind the scenes. Tragically, the SSU’s premature end means that audiences will likely never witness these characters reach their full potential, wasting a golden opportunity to spotlight Marvel’s female spider-heroes.

4 The Mysterious Shadowy Boss of Rex Strickland

The Enigmatic Presence in Venom: The Last Dance

Venom: The Last Dance introduced Rex Strickland, a morally ambiguous military figure carrying out the orders of a mysterious superior. This shadowy figure—presumably a high-ranking governmental official—was implied to have a vested interest in the Symbiotes, potentially setting the stage for a larger conspiracy within the SSU. This subplot hinted at the existence of a clandestine organization similar to S.H.I.E.L.D. or Norman Osborn’s Oscorp, with plans to weaponize the Symbiotes in the future.

Strickland’s storyline emerged as one of the most intriguing elements of Venom: The Last Dance, providing a grounded counterpoint to the franchise’s larger-than-life characters. However, the film concluded without revealing the identity or motives of Strickland’s superior, leaving this mystery unresolved. This missed opportunity robbed the SSU of a compelling antagonist and a chance to explore the intersection of government, science, and alien biology.

3 The Teased Arrival of Eddie Brock’s Son Dylan: A Key Player in Knull’s Invasion

The Potential Legacy in Venom: The Last Dance

In Venom: The Last Dance, Eddie Brock’s interactions with a young boy subtly hinted at the arrival of Dylan Brock, a pivotal character from the comics. In the source material, Dylan is Eddie’s son and emerges as a key figure in the fight against Knull. The film’s subtle nods to Eddie’s potential as a father, including Venom’s heartfelt remarks about Eddie being a good father, seemed to allude to this storyline that could have added depth to the overarching narrative.

Dylan’s introduction could have seamlessly tied into the SSU’s broader narrative, particularly if the franchise had pursued Knull’s invasion of Earth. His unique bond with the Symbiotes and his potential role as a host would have significantly enriched Eddie’s character and expanded the SSU’s mythology. This presented a perfect opportunity to continue the story after Tom Hardy’s Venom trilogy concluded. Unfortunately, the SSU ended before Dylan’s story could be realized.

2 The Compelling Descent of Chameleon into Villainy

The Transformation of Dmitri Smerdyakov in Kraven the Hunter

Kraven the Hunter featured Dmitri Smerdyakov, also known as the Chameleon, as a central figure in Sergei’s journey. The film’s climax revealed Dmitri’s transformation into the iconic white-headed metamorph, setting up a potential conflict between the brothers. This twist positioned the Chameleon as a future antagonist, with the potential to challenge Kraven both personally and professionally. The movie even concludes with the two sizing each other up, alluding to a future confrontation that could have captivated audiences.

The Chameleon’s descent into villainy could have provided a compelling narrative arc for the SSU, exploring themes of family loyalty and betrayal. Dmitri’s mastery of disguise and deception made him a formidable foe, capable of destabilizing Kraven’s antiheroic path. However, the SSU’s abrupt conclusion left this storyline unresolved, squandering