‘Morbius’ Negative Reception Represents the Good, Bad, and Ugly of Sony’s Time with Spider-Man
Recent early reviews of Sony’s newest film in their most recent Spider-Verse seem to be a microcosm of their time owning the iconic character as Morbius could represent the good, bad, and ugly of Sony’s run with Spider-Man.
In 2016, the MCU debuted the fruits of their miraculous new collaboration with Sony Pictures; a deal that would bring Spider-Man into the lauded interconnecting film franchise, with Marvel Studios completely reimagining the character into one of the greatest versions we’ve ever seen on the big screen.
Marvel
Following two entries into the Amazing Spider-Man franchise, it was clear that the MCU was able to breathe new life into this version of Peter Parker; crafting a story that focused on the hero’s youth, brilliance, and determination to help people.
Even though Marvel was able to construct an entire Peter Parker that was interwoven into the very DNA of the MCU, they didnt own the character, as Sony was just as determined to build their very own film universe of characters connected to the Spider-Man mythos.
Photo: Sony Pictures
With Venom and the subsequent Venom: Let There be Carnage operating as the first of those entries, it was clear that Sony- for better or worse- was committed to building around the character of Spider-Man by first focusing on his iconic villains.
With Morbius, the long-delayed exploration into the sympathetic villain, finally debuting to rather negative reception, it is abundantly clear that the film is a microcosm of the good, bad, and ugly of Sony’s time owning the Spider-Man character.
Source: Sony Pictures ‘Morbius’
Spider-Man’s first debut on the big screen in the Sam Raimi-led film originated the character with Tobey Maguire, as the first two entries into that franchise were some of the best comic book adaptations to that point, setting the character up for a phenomenal series.
Yet, with the third installment essentially bankrupting the franchise from moving forward with that version of the character, The Amazing Spider-Man was the Andrew Garfield-starring, Mark Webb-led, reboot that focused on a younger, more down to earth, version of the character.
Andrew Garfield (top) and Tobey Maguire (bottom), both as Spider-Man. Photo: Sony
Although the first film had its issues, the second was a poorly received amalgamation of bad ideas and horrid storytelling; which was then led to Marvel’s desire to save the character, while benefitting the MCU by bringing its most popular character home.
Tom Hollands Peter Parker, led by the brilliance of Jon Watts, crafted perhaps the greatest Spider-MAn of all time, and with Spider-Man: No Way Home becoming the record-breaking success that transcended the COVID-19 trauma relayed onto the Box Office, reignited cinemas with a film for the ages.
Source: Marvel Studios
Yet, With Morbius, it seems as though the character is back in the hands of the very hit or miss Sony; with Venom being decently received, Venom: Let There be Carnage being poorly received, and Morbius finding early reviews that view it as a colossal failure from Sony
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a massive success for the brand, but it is free to be the expressive masterpiece that it is because of the medium, and the masterminds that are Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.
Photo: Sony Pictures
Kraven the Hunter and Madame Web are next on the slate of Sony’s Film universe of Spider-Man characters, but it seems as though history has taught us that we are in store for the good, bad, or ugly, of Sony’s Spider-Man.
