Will These Marvel Spinoffs Survive the Post-Kraven Era?

The Symbiote Saga: Knull's Unfulfilled Promise

In the aftermath of Venom: The Last Dance, audiences were left with tantalizing hints of a new chapter in the SSU. Two post-credit scenes offered glimpses into uncharted territory—one featuring the ominous awakening of Knull, the King in Black, and another showcasing a broken vial that hinted at a loose Symbiote. Both scenes suggested that Sony had ambitious plans for expanding the Symbiote lore. However, with the rumored end of the SSU following Kraven the Hunter, the future of these ventures remains uncertain. Fans who hoped to see Knull headline his own film may find themselves disappointed as the likelihood of such a project diminishes.

The absence of any official confirmation from Sony regarding a Knull or Symbiote-focused film adds to the speculation. While the post-credits scenes generated excitement, they also set expectations that may now be left unmet. The silence from Sony on this front suggests that the studio may have shifted its focus away from these concepts, leaving fans to wonder if the Symbiote saga will ever reach its full potential within the SSU.

The Wrestling Superhero: El Muerto's Diminished Hopes

At CinemaCon 2022, Sony unveiled plans for a film titled El Muerto, starring Bad Bunny as a luchador with superhuman abilities. The announcement was met with enthusiasm, particularly given Bad Bunny’s background in professional wrestling. His involvement seemed to guarantee the film’s production, especially when he appeared onstage during the reveal. Yet, behind the scenes, challenges began to mount. Conflicting tour schedules and script revisions posed significant obstacles to the film’s development. Despite initial optimism, the future of El Muerto now appears bleak.

The film’s prospects have been further clouded by the reported end of the SSU. Even though Sony never officially canceled El Muerto, the lack of updates and the shifting priorities of the studio suggest that the project may never come to fruition. For fans who were excited about seeing Bad Bunny bring his unique flair to the SSU, this turn of events is a disappointing reminder of how quickly plans can change in the volatile world of film production.

Hypno Hustler: A Vision Unfulfilled

Late in 2022, reports emerged that Donald Glover would both produce and star in a film called Hypno Hustler, set within the SSU. The movie was poised to explore the character’s ability to manipulate audiences using hypnosis technology embedded in his musical instruments. Glover’s involvement was particularly noteworthy, as it would have made him the first actor to portray two major live-action characters in the Spider-Man franchise. The potential for groundbreaking storytelling was immense, but little has been heard about the project since its initial announcement.

With the SSU reportedly coming to a close after Kraven the Hunter, the chances of Hypno Hustler seeing the light of day are slim. The absence of any substantial updates or progress on the film indicates that it may have been quietly shelved. For those who were looking forward to seeing Glover’s innovative take on the character, the uncertainty surrounding Hypno Hustler serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable nature of Hollywood development cycles.