Line #56 Film/SonysSpiderManUniverse


1	[[quoteright:280:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/venom_48.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:280:Venom, the ''de facto'' face of the franchise so far.]]
3
4	Sony's Spider-Man Universe (SSU for short; also referred to as Sony's Marvel Universe and the SMU, or Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters - SPUMC) is the official name for the SharedUniverse of live-action Creator/MarvelComics-based movies made by Creator/SonyPictures[=/=]Creator/ColumbiaPictures. The films are based off of superheroes, anti-heroes, anti-villains, villains and supporting characters from the ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' franchise -- more precisely, all the Marvel characters that Sony has the rights to, which indeed amounts to the extended ''Spider-Man'' universe -- and are interconnected to each other.
5
6	The main character of the setting is, [[NonIndicativeName despite the name]], ''not'' ComicBook/SpiderMan, since this franchise is effectively an ExpandedUniverse that largely focuses on characters associated with the Wall-Crawler. Instead, the face of this franchise is ComicBook/{{Venom}}, who appeared for the first time on film since ''Film/SpiderMan3'', finally receiving a standalone film after years of DevelopmentHell. The setting is a SpiritualSuccessor to the ''[[Film/TheAmazingSpiderManSeries Amazing Spider-Man]]'' film series, which also tried to launch a SharedUniverse off of ''Spider-Man'' properties, but ultimately fell short due to ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderMan2'' relatively underpeforming and a series of issues happening with Sony Pictures in 2014-2015 that led to the shuttering of the setting. These movies take advantage of Sony's existing hold on the ''Spider-Man'' IP while the company loans their lead character (and much of his supporting cast) to Creator/MarvelStudios, much like how they were able to make ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse'' without any involvement from Marvel Studios.
7
8	Although it was initially believed that Creator/TomHolland's Spider-Man would not be appearing in these movies, Sony revealed that he would be introduced into the setting in August 2019, when the company temporarily announced an end to the Marvel Studios partnership that resulted in the [[Film/SpiderManHomecoming previous]] [[Film/SpiderManFarFromHome two]] ''Spider-Man'' films. The following month, after Sony and Marvel Studios renegotiated the deal to continue sharing the ''Spider-Man'' IP, Marvel Studios president Creator/KevinFeige confirmed that the character of Spider-Man will appear in both this universe and in the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse. With that in mind, Spider-Man is expected to play a supporting role in these films as opposed to being a lead character, due to his ongoing MCU series.
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10	The SSU has an unusual relationship with the MCU, which it was [[FollowTheLeader inspired by]]. While Sony initially stated that the films would be unrelated -- but somehow adjacent -- to the MCU, {{Continuity Nod}}s featured in ''Morbius'' have indicated that these movies are tied to the MCU iteration of the ''Spider-Man'' IP. As such, Sony's Marvel movies can reference events related to the wall-crawler's MCU standalones, but they are not expected to reference other aspects of the MCU or feature characters outside the ones introduced in those ''Spider-Man'' movies. Likewise, it's expected -- though not confirmed -- that the MCU could treat Sony's movies as BroadStrokes with relation to the MCU's overall story arc, but it remains to be seen how Marvel Studios will approach the characters that Sony introduces. Meanwhile, Creator/KevinFeige has indicated that Sony's spin-off plans aren't necessarily indicative of the MCU's future, indicating a degree of separation between the two franchises. [[https://www.comicbookmovie.com/spider-man/morbius/morbius-sony-issues-statement-after-tyrese-gibson-claims-the-movie-is-set-in-the-mcu-and-delayed-again-a185676#gs.3i5kyf Ultimately, Sony had to confirm that the two franchises remain officially separate as of 2021.]] ''Venom: Let There Be Carnage'' provides some clarity, but to say anything else would be a spoiler.
11
12	Sony, looking to make the most of their library of ''Spider-Man'' character to use in spin-offs, are invested in making use of the 900-ish characters that they have the license to use (from familiar characters and deep-cuts) in order to bring characters that Marvel may otherwise ignore to the big screen. However, they have postponed development on certain projects in favor of cooperating with Marvel Studios. One example of this was a planned ''Mysterio'' standalone, which was ultimately shelved in favor of having the character appear in ''Film/SpiderManFarFromHome''.
13	----
14	!!Films
15	%%NOTE: Only add movies that are officially moving forward with creatives attached and/or release dates. Sony has a number of projects that have started development, but have otherwise been dormant, and may not be made at all.
16	!!!'''Released'''
17	[[index]]
18	* '''''Film/{{Venom\|2018}}''''' (October 5, 2018): The [[SuperheroOrigin origin story]] of Venom, the Lethal Protector. Down-on-his-luck reporter Eddie Brock comes into contact with a ParasiticHorror from another world, drawing him into a conflict with an unscrupulous MegaCorp and another alien parasite that makes his seem like a cuddly teddy bear.
19	* '''''Film/VenomLetThereBeCarnage''''' (October 1, 2021): Eddie Brock's relationship with the Venom symbiote has become strained, leading to a bitter falling out between the two. When a new AxCrazy symbiote and its equally insane accomplice comes to town, Eddie and Venom will have to remember how much they need each other to prevent San Francisco from becoming a bloodbath.
20	* '''''Film/{{Morbius\|2022}}''''' (April 1, 2022): Michael Morbius, a medical prodigy, suffers from a rare and incurable blood disease and has long sought to save others from sharing his fate. At the brink of desperation, he searches for a cure that goes beyond the realm of traditional science. One that proves successful beyond his wildest imagination.
21	* '''''Film/{{Madame Web\|2024}}''''' (February 14, 2024): [[TwentyMinutesIntoThePast In 2003]], paramedic Cassandra "Cassie" Webb finds herself with psychic abilities that let her see the future after a near death experience. This ability brings her into conflict with Ezekiel Sims, a mysterious figure with a connection to her past, as he seeks to murder three young women with heroic destinies.
22	[[/index]]
23
24	!!!'''Upcoming'''
25	[[index]]
26	* '''''[[Film/KravenTheHunter2024 Kraven the Hunter]]''''' (December 13, 2024): Abandoned by his father after a failed attempt at hunting a lion, Sergei Kravinoff's blood mixed with that of a lion which gifted him incredible abilities. Years later he has become the fearsome Kraven, now seeking revenge against his father. The first film in the SSU to be R-rated.
27	[[/index]]
28
29	!!!'''In Production'''
30	* ''Venom: The Last Dance'' (October 25, 2024) [[note]]To be written and directed by Kelly Marcel. Reportedly will be Hardy's "[[GrandFinale last dance]]" as the character.[[/note]]
31
32	!!!'''In Development'''
33	* ''El Muerto'' (TBD) [[note]]To be directed by Jonás Cuarón, with Music/BadBunny playing the titular character.[[/note]]
34	* ''Spider-Woman'' (TBD) [[note]]To be directed by Creator/OliviaWilde; said to be based on the Jessica Drew iteration of the character. Wilde has indicated that Kevin Feige may have some level of involvement with the film.[[/note]]
35	* Untitled ''Hypno-Hustler'' movie (TBD) [[note]]To be written by Myles Murphy, with Creator/DonaldGlover playing the titular character.[[/note]]
36	* ''The Sinister Six'' (TBD) [[note]]Amy Pascal confirmed the project is "alive" in December 2018[[/note]]
37	* Untiled ''Miles Morales'' movie (TBD) [[note]]Amy Pascal confirmed the project was in development in May 2023[[/note]]
38
39	!!Comics
40	* ''Venom'' (September 14, 2018): A digital tie-in comic for ''Film/Venom2018'' that reveals details about Venom's backstory and adapts scenes from the film.
41
42	!!Television
43	* ''Silk: Spider Society'' (TBD) [[note]]For Creator/MGMPlus; Lauren Moon attached to write with Angela Kang as showrunner.[[/note]]
44	* ''Noir'' (TBD) [[note]]For Creator/MGMPlus and Creator/PrimeVideo, with Oren Uziel as showrunner and Creator/NicolasCage as the title character.[[/note]]
45
46	!!Web Video
47	* ''[[https://www.facebook.com/SantanaCosplay/videos/come-eat-at-chens-market-sony-pictures-venom-akapeggylu-venom-lettherebecarnage-/596019524823090/ Chen's Market]]'': A short InUniverse video to promote the release of ''Venom: Let There Be Carnage'', with Peggy Lu reprising her role as Mrs. Chen while Tom Hardy's Venom voice can briefly be heard.
48	* ''[[https://web.archive.org/web/20201101000626/https://www.thedailybugle.net/ TheDailyBugle.Net]]'': A series of InUniverse videos featuring [=TikTok=] star Nicque Marina. Originally used to promote the MCU films ''Film/SpiderManFarFromHome'' and ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'', in 2022 it was used to promote ''Film/{{Morbius\|2022}}''.
49
50	!!Related film series
51	* ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManSpiderVerse'' (2018-present): TheStinger for ''Venom'' outright states that ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse'' takes place at the same time, but in a different universe, while [[spoiler:''WesternAnimation/SpiderManAcrossTheSpiderVerse'' features The Spot briefly intruding on the SSU through a portal and meeting Mrs. Chen]].
52	* Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse (2008-present): ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'' features both Eddie Brock and Venom in TheStinger, acting as a crossover between the two franchises.
53	* Both series also connect the SSU to further ''Spider-Man'' media:
54	** Both ''Across the Spider-Verse'' and ''No Way Home'' include characters from the ''Film/SpiderManTrilogy'' (2002-2007) and ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderManSeries'' (2012-2014).
55	** The ''Spider-Verse'' series additionally includes ''WesternAnimation/SpiderMan1967'' (1967-1970), ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManAndHisAmazingFriends'' (1981-1983), ''VideoGame/SpiderManAtari2600'' (1982), ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManUnlimited'' (1999-2001), ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'' (2008-2009), ''WesternAnimation/UltimateSpiderMan'' (2012-2017), ''VideoGame/LegoMarvelSuperHeroes'' (2013-2017), and ''VideoGame/SpiderManInsomniac'' (2018-present).
56	----
57	!!Tropes demonstrated by Sony's Spider-Man Universe include:
58	* TheSeventies: ''Madame Web'' starts in 1973.
59	* TheNineties: Both ''Let There Be Carnage'' and ''Morbius'' start in this decade, the former in 1996 showing Cletus Kasady and Frances Barrison as teenagers while the latter showed a ten year old Morbius meeting Milo in 1994.
60	* AdaptedOut: Due to Spider-Man himself being a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the SSU initially omitted connections to him. This was quite significant to ''Venom'', since Venom's comic origins are so closely tied to Spider-Man, though technically he appeared in TheStinger which showed Peter B. Parker from ''Into the Spider-Verse''. [[spoiler:Even when he does make an appearance in live-action, it's the MCU version on a screen instead of one who exists in the SSU]]. [[spoiler:Finally averted in with ''Madame Web'', which features the birth of Peter Parker]].
61	* AlternateContinuity:
62	** TheStinger of ''Venom'' reveals that this universe is alternate to ''Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse'' (and the alternate Earths introduced in the film).
63	** Zig-zagged. While it appeared to be one to the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse -- running concurrently to the MCU and being a separate canon -- ''Morbius'' indicates that they loosely share a continuity, at least where the ''Spider-Man'' portion of the mythology is concerned. [[spoiler:TheStinger for ''Venom: Let There Be Carnage'' shows that the MCU is an alternate universe to the SSU that Venom is somehow transported to. ''Spider-Man: No Way Home'' outright confirms that it's an alternate universe from the MCU.]]
64	* AlternateUniverse:
65	** The end credits of ''Venom'' outright stated that ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse'' occurs at the same time "in another universe" (which itself also involves a [[TheMultiverse bunch of universes]] including the reality of ''WesternAnimation/SpiderMan1967'').
66	** ''Venom: Let There Be Carnage'' has a post-credits scene of Venom suddenly getting transported from the SSU to the MCU, confirming them to be separate universes. The ''Film/SpiderManTrilogy'' and ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderManSeries'' are also established as alternate universes to the SSU and MCU, with characters from both film series appearing in ''No Way Home''.
67	** ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManAcrossTheSpiderVerse'' named this reality as Earth-688. Given that Earth-688 already exists in the comics, the universe is instead called Earth-688B (in reference to certain implication in ''Across'' that any reality designations used in the film that already exist in the comics have the letter B added on).
68	** ''Noir'' will be set in an one based on New York City in TheThirties.
69	* ContrastingSequelMainCharacter: More like Contrasting Franchise Main Character, but Venom is this to Iron Man, the headliner of the franchise that inspired the creation of the SSU, the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Iron Man's alter ego, Tony Stark, was a wisecracking, genius inventor and billionaire who had no real superpowers and instead relied on technology and PoweredArmor to fight. Eddie Brock, by contrast, is a cynical, down-on-his-luck LoserProtagonist and failed journalist who has legit superpowers, derived from a biomass-consuming ParasiticHorror whose very nature automatically places Eddie in the anti-hero category.
70	* CrapsackWorld: A universe with no shortage of supervillains, but the closest thing shown to superheroes are bloodthirsty monsters who would prefer not to harm innocents. [[spoiler:Given that it is an AlternateUniverse to the brighter and more idealistic MCU, [[Film/SpiderManTrilogy Raimi-Verse]], [[Film/TheAmazingSpiderManSeries Webb-Verse]], and [[WesternAnimation/SpiderManIntoTheSpiderVerse Spider-Verses]], it could be considered a DarkWorld in comparison]]. This is finally averted with ''Madame Web'', which shows the origin of four traditional superheroes.
71	* DarkerAndEdgier: Is definitely more cynical than the MCU, with the exception of the Netflix shows. The heroes are mostly monstrous-looking anti-heroes kept on the side of good by refusing to kill innocent people and their fights against truly despicable villains.
72	* OddlyNamedSequel2ElectricBoogaloo: The ''Venom'' sequel is subtitled ''[[AntagonistTitle Let There Be Carnage]]''. It is a direct {{call back}} to {{the stinger}} of the first film, which had an EarlyBirdCameo of the sequel's BigBad. The third film is to be subtitled ''The Last Dance'', seemingly because it is reportedly the GrandFinale of the films and Hardy's last appearance as Venom.
73	* OurVampiresAreDifferent: There are no known supernatural vampires in this setting like there are the comics, so the scientific vampires in ''{{Film/Morbius\|2022}}'' can [[DaywalkingVampire walk in the sunlight]] and are unaffected by holy objects while still having incredible abilities and a thirst for blood.
74	* SharedUniverse: Running concurrently to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this universe is of the ''Spider-Man''-related properties owned by Sony.
75	* SuperheroHorror: The first three films took this direction, though ''Let There Be Carnage'' was more of a HorrorComedy due to the focus on Eddie's and Venom's relationship.
76	* TruerToTheText: Unlike the previous examples of the ''Film/SpiderManTrilogy'' DoingInTheWizard and simplifying backstories for realism, or even unlike major changes in the Spidey corner of the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse, it's shown thus far with ''Venom'' and ''Morbius'' that they'll be portrayed as accurately as they can be in the setting.
77	* TurnOfTheMillennium: After the TimeSkip, ''Madame Web'' takes place in 2003.
78	* VillainProtagonist: Subverted. Unlike the planned ''Amazing Spider-Man'' universe, this universe uses various other characters ranging from hero to anti-hero, including Venom being based on his "Lethal Protector" persona.

Context Film / SonysSpiderManUniverse