In the ever-evolving landscape of superhero movies, where studios are constantly vying for audience attention, Sony’s latest foray into the Spider-Man universe has been met with a decidedly lukewarm reception. Hot on the heels of the buzz surrounding Deadpool 3, which fans are eagerly anticipating thanks to the promise of a wild ride with Deadpool and Wolverine, comes the new trailer for Kraven the Hunter. Unfortunately, if initial reactions are anything to go by, lightning might not be striking twice for Marvel’s more mature, R-rated offerings.

Kraven the Hunter is Sony’s newest addition to its perplexing and often criticized attempt at a Spider-Man villain cinematic universe, one conspicuously devoid of Spider-Man himself. This latest venture follows in the footsteps of films like Venom and Morbius, both of which were commercial successes but critically divisive.

However, while those films managed to generate a certain level of hype—Venom largely due to Tom Hardy’s eccentric performance and Morbius through its “so bad it’s good” meme status—Kraven the Hunter seems to be struggling to capture the same level of excitement.

For those unfamiliar, Kraven the Hunter tells the story of Sergei Kravinoff, one of Spider-Man’s most iconic foes. A skilled hunter obsessed with proving his dominance over the animal kingdom and beyond, Kraven is often depicted in the comics as a complex character driven by honor and pride.

Fans of the source material have long awaited a cinematic portrayal of Kraven, hoping to see his character brought to life in all his morally ambiguous glory. However, it appears that Sony’s interpretation is already facing criticism, and not for the reasons one might expect.

One of the major talking points from the trailer is the introduction of the film’s villain, the Rhino. In the comics, the Rhino is a formidable adversary, a thug transformed into a nearly unstoppable force after being encased in a powerful, thick skin-suit.

He’s a classic example of the brute strength archetype, and while not the most nuanced villain, he’s certainly one of the most recognizable. Unfortunately, the version of Rhino presented in Kraven the Hunter has left fans scratching their heads and, in many cases, recoiling in disappointment.

In this latest iteration, Rhino appears to be some sort of animal-human hybrid, a far cry from the character’s comic book origins. The visual design has drawn comparisons to the likes of Fant4stic’s ill-fated interpretation of The Thing, or worse, to a Power Rangers villain.

Twitter, ever the barometer of fan sentiment, has been inundated with reactions that range from bemusement to outright horror. One user quipped, “Not since Ivan Oozapocalypse has a superhero movie villain looked so Power Rangers,” while another lamented, “New Rhino is so ugly Sony may need to Sonic the Hedgehog this situation.”

These comparisons to Power Rangers, a beloved yet campy franchise known for its colorful but low-budget villains, are not flattering. For a film that seems to be striving for a darker, more serious tone, such feedback is concerning.

The Rhino’s design has also sparked a wave of nostalgia for Paul Giamatti’s version of the character from The Amazing Spider-Man 2, a portrayal that was widely panned at the time but is now being reevaluated in light of this new take. “We never thought we’d see the day, but somehow Kraven‘s Rhino is so bad it’s making people nostalgic for Paul Giamatti’s version,” remarked another fan on social media.

This isn’t the first time that Sony’s Spider-Man-less Spider-Man universe has been met with skepticism. The concept of building a series of films around Spider-Man villains without the web-slinger himself has always been a contentious one. While Venom managed to carve out a niche due to its anti-hero narrative and Tom Hardy’s committed performance, other projects have struggled to justify their existence.

Morbius, for example, became an internet punchline, with the infamous “It’s Morbin’ time” meme capturing the public’s lackluster reception of the film. Now, with Kraven the Hunter, it seems Sony is once again facing an uphill battle.

Part of the issue lies in the disconnect between the tone these films are trying to achieve and the execution. Kraven the Hunter seems to be aiming for a gritty, somber atmosphere, as evidenced by its dark and brooding trailer.

Yet, the reveal of Rhino as a hulking, animalistic creature undermines this tone, instead evoking memories of the early 2000s era of superhero films—movies that often struggled to balance spectacle with substance. This has led to some fans describing Kraven the Hunter as having a “sub-MCU Marvel movie made in the 2000s” vibe, a far cry from the polished, carefully crafted narratives that have come to define the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The criticism extends beyond just the character design. There’s a growing sentiment that Sony is struggling to find its footing with these films, seemingly caught between trying to replicate the success of the MCU and establishing its own unique identity.

The result has been a series of movies that feel inconsistent in tone and quality, leading to the perception that Sony is churning out these films more out of obligation than inspiration. “OK, first Madame Web, and now this? Are we sure Sony isn’t pulling a Producers on us here and is deliberately manufacturing these films to fail?” joked one exasperated fan online, referencing the famous plot of deliberately creating a flop.

This perception isn’t helped by the fact that, despite the backlash, Sony has shown no signs of slowing down. Madame Web, another upcoming entry in the Spider-Man-less universe, has already been met with a similar level of skepticism, with many questioning the viability of these projects in the long term.

While Sony has had some financial success with these films, the critical reception has been less kind, leading to concerns about the sustainability of this cinematic universe.

So, where does this leave Kraven the Hunter? Despite the early criticisms, the film still has time to course-correct. There have been instances in the past where fan feedback has led to significant changes in a film’s final product.

The most notable recent example is the redesign of Sonic the Hedgehog after the initial trailer for his live-action debut was universally panned. Could a similar fate await Rhino in Kraven the Hunter? It’s possible, though it would require Sony to act quickly and decisively to address the concerns of fans.

However, even if the design is altered, Kraven the Hunter faces a larger challenge: convincing audiences that this movie is worth their time in a crowded market. The superhero genre is more competitive than ever, with audiences having a wealth of options to choose from.

For Kraven the Hunter to succeed, it will need to do more than just fix its villain—it will need to offer something truly unique and compelling, something that justifies its existence in a world where Spider-Man himself is conspicuously absent.

As it stands, the initial reaction to Kraven the Hunter suggests that Sony has a lot of work to do if it hopes to turn the tide. The film is set to release on December 13, 2024, leaving a few months for the studio to fine-tune its marketing strategy and potentially address the criticisms that have emerged. Whether or not they choose to take this feedback on board could very well determine the film’s fate.

In the end, Kraven the Hunter represents a critical juncture for Sony’s Spider-Man villain universe. If it fails to resonate with audiences, it could further erode confidence in the viability of these standalone villain films. On the other hand, if Sony manages to turn things around, Kraven the Hunter could become a surprise success, proving that there is still room for innovation and excitement in this corner of the superhero genre.

For now, though, the movie remains an enigma, with fans and critics alike waiting to see if Sony can pull off a last-minute save, or if Kraven the Hunter will join the ranks of films that failed to live up to their potential.