Despite its potential, Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU) was plagued by questionable decisions that alienated audiences and undermined its success. The franchise aimed to carve out a unique niche by focusing on Spider-Man’s extended roster of villains and allies separate from the MCU timeline. However, its inconsistent storytelling, lack of cohesion, and disregard for viewer expectations left it struggling to find its footing.
One of the SSU’s biggest blunders was its failure to introduce recognizable Spider-Man characters early on. The initial films, such as Venom and Morbius, depicted the beloved eponymous characters but pitted them against fairly unknown foes with limited appeal. It wasn’t until Kraven the Hunter that the franchise included iconic figures like Kraven, Rhino, and Chameleon. By then, the SSU had lost much of its momentum, with audiences already disenchanted.
The inclusion of three Spider-Women (Mattie Franklin, Julia Cornwall, and Anya Corazón) in Madame Web was another major draw for comic book readers. However, they only appeared in their final superhero forms in flashforward sequences, which felt like a lazy afterthought. Their limited presence reduced them to mere plot devices, failing to justify their inclusion in the film. Audiences were left disappointed as these iconic Spider-Women were reduced to cameos, undermining the excitement surrounding their cinematic debut.
Introducing these characters earlier could have established stronger connections to Spider-Man’s lore and attracted a wider audience. Instead, the delayed introduction felt like a desperate attempt to salvage the franchise. By the time recognizable characters appeared, the SSU had failed to build a compelling foundation, leaving their inclusion feeling hollow.
The failure to introduce familiar characters early on and the mismanagement of iconic Spider-Women characters are just a few examples of the SSU’s mistakes. The franchise’s inability to balance fan service with meaningful storytelling and its inconsistent narrative left audiences feeling disappointed and disconnected from the story. As a result, the SSU’s conclusion was inevitable, serving as a cautionary tale of cinematic universe building.