Sony Pictures is planning a fresh reboot of its Spider-Man extended universe following a series of box office disappointments, according to studio chairman and CEO Tom Rothman. The executive confirmed during an appearance on The Town podcast that the studio will return to the Spider-Man extended universe with new creative teams and a completely revamped approach, though no timeline has been announced.
When podcast host Matt Belloni asked whether the larger Spider-Verse was dead, Rothman offered a definitive no. He confirmed that Sony would return to the franchise but emphasized it would be a fresh reboot with new people involved. The executive added that scarcity has value and that the studio needs to make the audience miss the franchise before returning.
Box Office Struggles Lead to Spider-Man Universe Reset
The decision to reboot the Spider-Man extended universe comes after several films underperformed critically and commercially. According to reports, 2022’s Morbius earned only $162 million globally, while 2024’s Madame Web collected approximately $100 million worldwide. The 2024 release Kraven the Hunter fared even worse, generating just $60 million globally against an estimated production budget exceeding $100 million.
However, the Venom trilogy proved to be the notable exception in Sony’s Spider-Man universe strategy. The 2018 original Venom set a high-water mark for the franchise with $856 million in global box office, demonstrating audience appetite for certain Spider-Man adjacent characters when executed successfully.
No Sequels Planned for Recent Releases
Rothman’s comments effectively confirm that Sony will not move forward with sequels to Madame Web, Kraven the Hunter, or Morbius. Instead, the studio appears committed to stepping back and reassessing its approach to Marvel properties before launching new projects. This strategy shift represents a significant change in direction for the studio’s superhero ambitions.
The executive emphasized the importance of timing in franchise management. By allowing time to pass before returning to the Spider-Man universe, Sony hopes to rebuild audience interest and anticipation for future installments.
Spider-Man: No Way Home China Ban Confirmed
Additionally, Rothman confirmed for the first time that Spider-Man: No Way Home was banned in China due to its climactic sequence at the Statue of Liberty. The China Film Administration reportedly requested that Sony cut out the iconic New York landmark, which would have been impossible given that the film’s climax takes place there.
The executive noted that the film earned $1.9 billion globally without a China release. He indicated the film would have exceeded $2 billion with Chinese distribution, given that the previous installment Far From Home generated $200 million in that market. Meanwhile, Rothman added he did not look forward to explaining to Congress why he would cut the Statue of Liberty at the request of the Chinese Communist Party.
Animated Spider-Verse Remains Separate
In contrast to the live-action universe struggles, Sony’s animated Spider-Verse films have received critical acclaim and strong box office performance. The reboot plans specifically apply to the live-action Spider-Man extended universe and do not affect the animated franchise, which continues on its own successful trajectory.
Sony has not announced specific details about when the Spider-Man extended universe reboot will begin production or which characters might appear in future films. The studio’s timeline for returning to this franchise remains uncertain as it develops its fresh approach.
