Don’t expect sequels to Madame Web, Kraven the Hunter or Morbius anytime soon. But that doesn’t mean Sony is done with its live-action Spider-Man universe.
Tom Rothman, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, has confirmed that the studio intends to relaunch the franchise with a “fresh reboot” following a run of underwhelming theatrical performances.
Appearing on The Town podcast, Rothman was asked directly whether the broader Spider-Man universe — separate from the animated Spider-Verse — was effectively finished. “No,” he said. When pressed on whether the studio would revisit those characters, he replied, “Yes.” And when the interviewer clarified, “But it’ll be a fresh reboot?” Rothman responded, “Yes.” Asked if it would involve “new people", he added, “Yes, yes.”
The decision follows a rocky stretch for Sony’s live-action Marvel spin-offs. While Venom was a commercial success, earning $856 million worldwide, subsequent titles struggled. Morbius closed its run at $162 million globally, Madame Web managed around $100 million, and Kraven the Hunter fared even worse with roughly $60 million against a reported budget exceeding $100 million.
Rothman suggested that stepping back may ultimately benefit the brand. “Scarcity has value … you've got to make the audience miss you,” he remarked, hinting at a strategic pause before reintroducing the characters in a new form.
Rothman also weighed in on his relationship with Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige, offering high praise: “They’re two people about whom I would say this—and maybe more if I think about it—but never bet against Jim Cameron and never bet against Kevin Feige.”