Sony Missed An Obvious Chance At Its Own Marvel Kingdom

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Summary

  • Sony missed the chance to launch a live-action Miles Morales franchise before the MCU, missing out on a game-changing opportunity.
  • The success of animated Miles Morales films shows the audience’s appetite for a new Spider-Man narrative that Sony has failed to tap into.
  • If it still has designs on it, Sony must prioritize quality storytelling, talent, and create a cohesive vision to fully commit to making Miles Morales the centerpiece of their Spider-Man universe.

As a lifelong comic book enthusiast and someone who has seen the rise and fall of various superhero franchises, I can’t help but feel a sense of profound disappointment when reflecting on Sony’s missed opportunity with Miles Morales.

For quite some time, Sony has held a significant position in the world of superhero films, owning the movie rights to one of Marvel‘s dearest characters – Spider-Man. However, Sony has granted other studios the chance to depict the adventures of Peter Parker, while they themselves have concentrated on villains and other heroes within the Spider-Man universe. This strategy, however, received criticism as it found difficulty in building a cinematic universe as connected and powerful as that of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I find it quite ironic that Sony had all the essential elements for its very own Marvel universe right at their fingertips, yet they didn’t seize an exceptional opportunity – kickstarting a live-action Miles Morales franchise before Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) took off. This overlooked chance not only cost them a potentially transformative franchise, but also underscores their inability to fully harness the potential of their own properties.

The Spider-Man Dilemma: Side Characters Over Centerpieces

Sony has mainly concentrated on developing Spider-Man’s universe by creating films centered around side characters such as Venom and Morbius from its rogues gallery and supporting cast. The Venom series, although financially successful, received mediocre to poor critical reviews, while Morbius became infamous for all the wrong reasons.

As a fan, I’ve noticed that while the Venom trilogy managed to rake in impressive box office numbers, it didn’t exactly win over the critics, earning at best a lukewarm reception. Regrettably, Morbius has found itself as an unwanted internet sensation, for reasons far from amusing.

Sony’s frequent use of side characters highlights a significant issue: they haven’t established a main character to serve as the foundation for their cinematic world. Due to a licensing agreement with Marvel Studios, Peter Parker (Spider-Man) was integral to the MCU, leaving Sony in a tricky situation. The studio’s hesitation to fully embrace Miles Morales as the lead character is noticeable and seems like a missed opportunity. Instead of creating a fresh Spider-Man story that resonates with audiences globally, Sony has been focusing on introducing characters who don’t have the same appeal or development.

It’s surprising that instead of challenging Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and Tom Holland as Spider-Man, Sony appears to have chosen not to deviate from their current path, leading one to wonder if they were perhaps lacking in creative imagination.

The Animated Success of Miles Morales

“The most puzzling part of Sony’s mistake lies in the tremendous success of their Miles Morales animated films, particularly Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, winning an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. The follow-up film, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, further cemented Miles Morales’ popularity as a beloved character, portraying him as a young hero with a unique spin on the Spider-Man story that resonates with audiences.

These animated films showcased Miles Morales’ immense talent and confirmed that audiences are open to a non-Peter Parker Spider-Man. The animated series provided Sony with an opportunity for innovative visuals and storytelling, yet it also underscored the potential for further exploration in live-action adaptations. With his multicultural heritage, captivating origin, and unique interpretation of the Spider-Man character, Miles presents a perfect fit for modern moviegoers. Failing to capitalize on this momentum with a live-action counterpart meant missing an opportunity for Sony to establish its own Marvel universe centered around a hero capable of competing with the MCU’s Spider-Man.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but ponder what a difference it would make if Sony had introduced the live-action Miles Morales franchise before Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This move would have set Sony apart from Marvel Studios, offering a unique take on the Spider-Man saga. The tale of Miles Morales is not just a different spin on Peter Parker’s story but also echoes with contemporary viewers in ways that could have revolutionized the superhero genre.

It turned out to be advantageous for Sony, as Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) was developing a multiverse narrative with movies like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”. This timely introduction allowed audiences to become more receptive to various Spider-Man characters. During this period, Sony could seize the momentum generated by the growing fascination with multiverse tales and create a unique niche for itself within the superhero genre by releasing a live-action Miles Morales movie.

Additionally, creating a live-action version of Miles Morales would have given Sony a headlining character to construct their universe upon. Unlike supporting characters like Venom and Morbius, Miles possesses charm, complexity, and storytelling potential that could span multiple films. His inclusion would have tied together Sony’s Spider-Man universe, offering a central figure who could engage with other characters while moving the overall narrative forward.

A Race To The Finish?

Although it’s disappointing that Sony squandered an opportunity, they still have time to rectify their mistake. There’s been a lot of chatter about a live-action Miles Morales project, and Sony has already shown success with animation, which bodes well for future projects. However, the chance is gradually slipping away as the Marvel Cinematic Universe broadens its multiverse and increases its diverse hero roster. If they were to discuss their own version of Miles Morales at this point, it would be the end of Sony’s opportunity.

To ensure Sony thrives in their Spider-Man universe, they must introduce Miles Morales as the main character before Marvel Cinematic Universe does, but it’s not just about being first – they need to wholeheartedly dedicate Miles to the core of their Spider-Man world. This necessitates a strong focus on compelling narratives, securing top creative minds, and crafting a unified vision that transcends standalone productions.

It seems clear that Sony currently lacks the feasibility to establish its own Marvel universe at this time, as the project should have commenced much earlier. Moreover, Sony has squandered public trust in their ability to handle a Marvel property effectively. Releasing a Miles Morales Spider-Man film would be only one piece of the puzzle, and even if they managed to do so, it might not be enough to regain that lost trust.

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2024-12-23 02:04