This Spider-Man Can Fix Sony’s Disastrous Marvel Universe (& It’s Not Miles Morales)

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With Kraven the Hunter disappointing Spider-Man and Marvel fans alike at the box office this past weekend, audiences have seemingly come to the conclusion that Sony simply can’t make a good Spider-Man villain spinoff film. After six disappointing tries and several more broken cinematic promises that will remain unfulfilled, there are rumors that Sony is giving up on the concept as a whole. Rumors also suggest Sony will sell the live-action film rights to Spider-Man back to Marvel Studios and Disney, or maybe Sony will refocus their efforts only on the Miles Morales animated adventures in the Spider-Verse and the upcoming Nic Cage-led Spider-Man Noir series. Either way, even though fans seem to be mixed on what those possibilities could be, it’s not looking good for Sony’s Spider-Man future. However, another rumor suggested that Sony always had the option to include Spider-Man in their films, specifically Tom Holland’s MCU Spider-Man, since the first film, and they simply chose not to. While this decision has baffled fans, it might actually be the key to how Sony can save their live-action Spider-Man universe.

One fan-favorite character from the comics has not seen much cinematic love in quite some time. And while cinematic portrayals do not justify a character’s importance, Ben Reilly might be the character Sony needs to save their Spider-Man universe. Ben Reilly is a great option, as his personality and story can be different from Peter Parker’s, while not being too wildly off-brand that fans can’t identify with it. Creating and premiering a new version of Spider-Man, one that fans recognize from the comics or his short appearance in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse played by Andy Samberg, could help stabilize Sony’s current Spider-Man villain cinematic universe in a way that gives audiences a sense of direction and story. Not only that, but if Sony can beat Disney to the punch at creating new live-action versions of Spider-Man, such as the fan-favorite Scarlet Spider, it might just save their plans as they know it.

Ben Reilly Could Be the Perfect Replacement for Peter Parker

Ben Reilly Could Be the Fresh New Hero That Sony Needs

Ben Reilly, also known as the Scarlet Spider, shares many core traits with Peter Parker’s Spider-Man, such as a deep sense of responsibility, a knack for science and a sharp wit. However, Ben’s comic book origins and stories offer a unique narrative canvas due to his clone origins and the identity crisis that comes with being a genetic copy of Peter. With that said, it’s probably best if Sony stays away from those ideas just because the last thing Ben Reilly needs is to be compared literally to Peter Parker. If Ben Reilly were to arrive in cinemas in some grand cinematic experience, Sony should go in a completely different direction from what’s been seen before. Make Ben Reilly his own, awesome character who has the same powers and similar looks as Spider-Man, but defines himself as his character with his own sense of morality. It could include new characters and stories to boot. Unlike Peter, who is rooted in his established relationships and responsibilities, Ben’s looser ties to Spider-Man’s classic lore lets creators take bigger risks with his character, making him a compelling wildcard in the Spider-Man mythos.

For Sony’s Spider-Man villain universe, Ben Reilly’s Scarlet Spider could be a much-needed refresh that would set their stories apart from the MCU’s Spider-Man films while retaining a connection to the Spider-Man brand. Where Peter Parker is often burdened by his established rogues like Green Goblin and Doc Ock, Ben Reilly could bring a fresh perspective to characters like Morbius, Kraven the Hunter, and other underused villains that Sony has taken a second look at. Ben’s more introspective and tortured persona aligns naturally with the darker tones of these characters’ own struggles, creating opportunities for the potential Sinister Six film that Sony seems to desperately want to see happen.

Ben Reilly could be the perfect match to go up against Venom. Now that the Venom trilogy has concluded and Tom Hardy seems to be finished with the character, it might be cool to see the Venom storyline adapted more accurately in a new cinematic adventure, this time with an actual Spider-Man to ground the character in reality. Audiences could see how Venom and the Scarlet Spider work together in a different way than audiences have seen the two characters work before, like in Spider-Man 3 and in the recent Spider-Man 2 PlayStation game.

Ben Reilly’s Scarlet Spider opens the door to dynamic team-ups that could expand Sony’s Spider-Man universe. With Madame Web and Spider-Woman already having arrived onscreen, Ben Reilly could join the group on heroic adventures against new and exciting villains. Together, they could form a team distinct from the MCU’s Avengers-like groups, offering Sony an ensemble dynamic rooted in character-driven storytelling. By embracing the Scarlet Spider’s unique traits and building narratives around his interactions with villains and allies, Sony could inject new life into its struggling Spider-Man villain universe, delivering stories that are emotionally rich, thematically resonant and distinctly their own.

If Scarlet Spider Succeeds, He Could Join the MCU

Sony and Disney Have Crossed Over Characters Before

With so many Marvel cinematic adventures nowadays on Disney+ and in theaters, it’s easy to forget that Sony was truly one of the studios to save the reputation of the company back in 2002 with Sam Raimi’s classic Spider-Man. From then on, audiences became lifelong fans of the character, excited to see the friendly neighborhood hero swing into action every few years in theaters. But after their second failed sequel in 2014 with The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Sony decided to make a deal with Disney to share the character and see Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This decision has paid off immensely, even with Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Men returning alongside Tom Holland in Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2022. It’s clear based on previous experiences how open both companies are when it comes to borrowing and sharing the character between cinematic universes. So, if Sony were able to create a character that Disney felt comfortable combining with their universes for some time, it could be possible to see Sony and Disney collaborate with the character again. In this case, if Sony were able to perfect their own Scarlet Spider as a hero that worked alongside the MCU story, Ben Reilly might be able to make his live-action debut in a future MCU project.

Sony has already demonstrated a willingness to collaborate with Disney and Marvel Studios, allowing Spider-Man to play a central role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The multiverse offers a perfect vehicle for Ben Reilly, the Scarlet Spider, to bridge the gap between Sony’s Spider-Man Universe and the MCU. Ben’s story in Sony’s universe could tie directly into the kind of multiversal storytelling seen in Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Introducing Ben through Sony’s villain-centric universe would establish his unique identity and darker tone, making him distinct from Tom Holland’s Peter Parker. A future crossover could then use the multiverse to explore their relationships, bringing depth to both characters while expanding the interconnected storytelling fans have come to love.

By laying the groundwork for Ben Reilly in their Spider-Man villain universe, Sony could create a hero compelling enough to warrant collaboration with Disney. Whether teaming up with Peter Parker in an MCU event film or exploring their dynamic in a shared multiverse story, the Scarlet Spider offers fresh angles on the themes of identity, purpose and legacy. These elements not only build on the success of Sony’s existing films but also allow Marvel Studios to introduce new layers to their ever-expanding cinematic universe.

Is It Too Late for the Sony Spider-Man Villain Universe?

Though the Sony Spider-Man Universe Might Be Dead, the Scarlet Spider Can Save It

Sony’s decision to exclude Tom Holland’s Spider-Man from their films has left fans puzzled, with the future of the Sony Spider-Man Universe in question. If the studio wants to revitalize its cinematic endeavors, the Scarlet Spider, Ben Reilly, could be the answer. Introducing Ben Reilly allows Sony to explore Spider-Man’s world without stepping on the toes of the MCU’s narrative, offering a creatively independent approach to expand the Spider-Man mythos. This direction could revitalize audience interest in showcasing the Scarlet Spider’s personal struggles and distinct take on heroism, while still providing action-packed confrontations with classic Spider-Man villains.

What makes Ben Reilly particularly exciting for Sony is the opportunity to delve into darker, more complex storylines. This narrative depth, paired with Sony’s ability to access Spider-Man’s iconic rogues’ gallery, opens the door for fresh takes on beloved characters and thrilling new adventures not only within Sony’s Spider-Man umbrella but also within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. By focusing on the Scarlet Spider, Sony could reinvigorate their cinematic universe with a Spider-adjacent hero who brings both familiarity and innovation, making Ben Reilly a perfect choice to carry the mantle and potentially save their struggling Spider-Man universe.

“}]] This version of Spider-Man could be the key to saving Sony’s Spider-Man villain universe.  Read More