Image via Sony
The highly anticipated trailer for Sony’s latest film, Kraven The Hunter, has just been released, accompanied by a captivating poster. However, fans aren’t completely convinced that this movie will be worth their time. Comparisons are already being drawn to the disappointing “Morbius” film from last year, which lacked the presence of Spider-Man, a crucial element for many fans.
Although it’s undeniable that Aaron Taylor-Johnson looks the part as Kraven, the teaser doesn’t offer enough to entice audiences to prioritize it over the upcoming Spider-Verse or Tom Holland’s next Spider-Man installment. The absence of Spider-Man in these standalone villain-focused movies seems to be a major drawback in the eyes of fans.
Sony’s current strategy of releasing standalone movies that delve into the origins of Spider-Man villains is beginning to wear thin. The success of the first Venom film can be attributed to the anticipation of finally seeing an accurate portrayal of the character, as well as his established status as an anti-hero in the comics. However, the same level of enthusiasm is not shared for movies like Morbius, Kraven, El Muerto, or Madame Web. It’s clear that audiences want to see these villains in action against Spider-Man, rather than in isolated origin stories.
While the quality of Morbius certainly contributed to its underwhelming performance, even a great film like Kraven the Hunter may struggle to attract viewers to theaters when the character they truly want to see is busy with his own essential projects.
Film producers should view the success of Venom and Joker as exceptions rather than the norm. Audiences generally prefer to see villains in the context of their respective superhero’s story and not as standalone entities. Otherwise, the superhero movie genre runs the risk of becoming repetitive and losing its appeal.
So let’s reconvene in 2028 when we find ourselves mocking the trailer for Galactus with the tagline: “This summer, our world is his food.”
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