{"id":703535,"date":"2026-05-30T10:24:26","date_gmt":"2026-05-30T10:24:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/703535\/"},"modified":"2026-05-30T10:24:26","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T10:24:26","slug":"sonys-new-spider-man-spinoff-makes-morbius-and-madame-web-even-worse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/703535\/","title":{"rendered":"Sony’s New Spider-Man Spinoff Makes Morbius And Madame Web Even Worse"},"content":{"rendered":"

Outside the MCU, Sony’s Spider-Man Universe has been one of the most frustrating franchises in modern superhero filmmaking. Although the Spider-Man mythos is full of exciting Spider-variants, supporting characters, and a massive rogues’ gallery of villains to work with, the studio’s live-action execution has almost always been lacking and unable to live up to the potential. That said, Sony has finally managed to make a successful live-action spin-off in 2026 with Spider-Noir<\/a>, though it honestly makes me even more frustrated with past projects like Morbius and Madame Web.<\/p>\n

While the Venom trilogy found some solid commercial success and was relatively popular despite its flaws, Sony’s broader live-action Spider-Man spin-off efforts have largely been major flops and duds. Films like Morbius and Madame Web became punchlines almost immediately, while Kraven the Hunter<\/a> struggled to get audiences on board with the idea that Sony’s Spider-Man universe had a viable future.<\/p>\n

It should also be noted that these failures have much less to do with those particular characters and more to do with an incredibly lackluster execution on Sony’s part, seemingly confirming again and again a major disconnect regarding what makes a superhero movie successful in the first place. It’s what makes Prime Video’s Spider-Noir such a pleasant surprise<\/a>. Sony has finally delivered a live-action Spider-Man spin-off that critics and fans can largely agree is genuinely good, which makes one wonder why it took so dang long in the first place.<\/p>\n

Finally, Sony Has Made A Good Live-Action Spider-Man Spin-Off<\/p>\n

\"spider-noir<\/p>\n

Right off the bat, it’s quite evident that the reason Spider-Noir succeeds is that it fully commits, in every sense of the word.<\/p>\n

The new Marvel series completely embraces its identity as a noir detective story set in a stylized version of 1930s New York. From the cinematography to the dialogue and atmosphere, everything feels deliberately crafted around that vision, offered in both “authentic black-and-white” and “true-hue color.” While both versions of Spider-Noir work<\/a>, the black-and-white absolutely elevates the show into something genuinely unique within the overall superhero genre.<\/p>\n

After voicing Spider-Noir in Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s animated Spider-Verse films, Nicolas Cage truly was the only choice to bring the character to life. Likewise, he was allowed to give the performance only Nic Cage could give, resulting in one of the most dynamic and wonderfully eccentric Spider heroes we’ve ever seen in live-action.<\/p>\n

Cage’s Ben Reilly<\/a> possesses the perfect blend of cynicism and snark, incredibly captivating with every episode as a private investigator struggling to suppress his more spider-like instincts and decision to retire as “The Spider” after losing the love of his life (only to ultimately take on the responsibility once more).<\/p>\n

Just as important, there’s no franchise set-up or even connections to past projects. Case in point, Cage’s live-action Spider-Noir isn’t even the same as his animated version from the Spider-Verse films. Instead, the only priority was to tell a singular, compelling story with a Spider hero front and center. While there’s nothing inherently bad about interconnectivity when it’s done well, Sony never proved itself to…do it well. It may seem obvious that telling a good story first should be the focus, and yet it’s definitely something that had long eluded Sony until this year.<\/p>\n

Why Did It Take So Long To Get Something Like Spider-Noir?<\/p>\n

\"Nicolas
\n Nicolas Cage suited up as Spider-Noir<\/p>\n

Spider-Noir is definitive proof that live-action Spider-Man spin-offs can work without the mainline Peter Parker taking center stage, and that audiences are willing to follow lesser-known characters…so long as the creative vision is strong enough. It actually is possible, and it can be done.<\/p>\n

So why did it take so many years to get to something like Spider-Noir?<\/p>\n

Part of the problem seems to lie with a reluctance on Sony’s part to fully embrace any of these characters, as it has with Spider-Noir. After all, Morbius tried way too hard<\/a> to elevate Michael Morbius’ character to something he’d never been on the page. Madame Web clearly had no idea what kind of story it wanted to tell. While Kraven the Hunter took some steps in the right direction, it still struggled to identify whether Kraven was a villain, antihero, or outright hero.<\/p>\n

Friendly Neighborhood Assessment \u00b7 MCU Era
\n Tom Holland’s
Spider-Man Trivia<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfe0Homecoming2017<\/p>\n

\u2708\ufe0fFar From Home2019<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf0cNo Way Home2021<\/p>\n

\ud83d\ude08VillainsSinister\u2026<\/p>\n

\ud83e\udd16MCUAvengers<\/p>\n

THWIP! LET’S GO \u2192<\/p>\n

01<\/p>\n

Before getting his own solo film, Tom Holland\u2019s Peter Parker made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut by being recruited by Tony Stark to help in a massive superhero conflict. In which MCU film did Holland first appear as Spider-Man?<\/p>\n

\n AAvengers: Age of Ultron
\n BCaptain America: Civil War
\n CSpider-Man: Homecoming
\n DAvengers: Infinity War\n <\/p>\n

\u2713 Correct! Tom Holland first appeared as Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War (2016), where Tony Stark visits Peter in Queens and recruits him for the airport battle against Team Cap. His quippy, starstruck portrayal instantly won over audiences.<\/p>\n

\u2717 Web miss! The answer is Captain America: Civil War. Holland debuted in the 2016 film before Homecoming (2017). He was recruited by Tony Stark for the iconic airport fight scene, stealing Captain America\u2019s shield with his webs in one of the film\u2019s most memorable moments.<\/p>\n

NEXT \u2192<\/p>\n

02<\/p>\n

In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter faces a blue-collar salvage contractor who turned to arms dealing after being shut out of the Chitauri cleanup by Damage Control. Using an alien-tech wingsuit, he becomes one of Spider-Man\u2019s most grounded villains. Who is he?<\/p>\n

\n AThe Vulture (Adrian Toomes)
\n BThe Shocker (Herman Schultz)
\n CThe Scorpion (Mac Gargan)
\n DThe Tinkerer (Phineas Mason)\n <\/p>\n

\u2713 Correct! Adrian Toomes, played brilliantly by Michael Keaton, is the Vulture \u2014 a working-class father who builds a criminal empire selling alien-derived weapons. The twist that he\u2019s the father of Peter\u2019s date Liz is one of the MCU\u2019s best surprises.<\/p>\n

\u2717 Web miss! The answer is The Vulture (Adrian Toomes). The Shocker and Tinkerer are his henchmen in the film, and Scorpion (Mac Gargan) only briefly appears. Toomes is the main antagonist who personally confronts Peter in the unforgettable car ride scene.<\/p>\n

NEXT \u2192<\/p>\n

03<\/p>\n

Tony Stark built Peter a high-tech suit loaded with features Peter didn\u2019t even know about, including an AI assistant that helps him in combat, provides tactical analysis, and even gives dating advice. What name does Peter give this AI?<\/p>\n

\n AFriday
\n BEdith
\n CKaren
\n DJocasta\n <\/p>\n

\u2713 Correct! Peter names his suit\u2019s AI \u201cKaren,\u201d voiced by Jennifer Connelly. She assists him with web shooter modes, reconnaissance, and even his love life. Friday is Tony Stark\u2019s AI, and E.D.I.T.H. is the Stark satellite system that appears in Far From Home.<\/p>\n

\u2717 Web miss! The answer is Karen. Friday is Tony Stark\u2019s personal AI, E.D.I.T.H. is the Stark defense satellite Peter inherits in Far From Home, and Jocasta is an AI from the comics. Karen, voiced by Jennifer Connelly, is Peter\u2019s suit assistant throughout Homecoming.<\/p>\n

NEXT \u2192<\/p>\n

04<\/p>\n

In Spider-Man: Far From Home, Peter encounters a seemingly heroic figure who claims to be from an alternate Earth, battling elemental creatures across Europe. In reality, he\u2019s a disgruntled former Stark Industries employee using advanced holographic drones. What is his real name?<\/p>\n

\n AWilliam Ginter Riva
\n BAldrich Killian
\n CJustin Hammer
\n DQuentin Beck\n <\/p>\n

\u2713 Correct! Quentin Beck, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, is Mysterio \u2014 a master of illusion who uses Stark Industries\u2019 B.A.R.F. holographic technology and weaponized drones to fabricate the Elementals and pose as a hero. His final act of revenge shapes the entire third film.<\/p>\n

\u2717 Web miss! The answer is Quentin Beck. William Ginter Riva is one of Beck\u2019s team members, Aldrich Killian is the villain of Iron Man 3, and Justin Hammer is from Iron Man 2. Beck is Mysterio, the illusionist who manipulated Peter\u2019s trust across Europe.<\/p>\n

NEXT \u2192<\/p>\n

05<\/p>\n

In one of the MCU\u2019s most shocking mid-credits scenes, J. Jonah Jameson broadcasts doctored footage from Mysterio\u2019s final moments that completely upends Peter Parker\u2019s life. What does this broadcast reveal to the entire world?<\/p>\n

\n AThat Spider-Man killed Mysterio in cold blood
\n BThat Spider-Man is Peter Parker
\n CThat Spider-Man is a Skrull impersonator
\n DThat Spider-Man commanded the drone attack on London\n <\/p>\n

\u2713 Correct! Mysterio\u2019s doctored footage, broadcast by J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons reprising his iconic role), exposes Spider-Man\u2019s identity as Peter Parker to the entire world. This revelation drives the entire plot of No Way Home as Peter desperately seeks to undo the damage.<\/p>\n

\u2717 Web miss! The answer is that Spider-Man is Peter Parker. While the footage also frames Spider-Man for the London drone attack, the earth-shattering reveal is Peter\u2019s unmasked identity being broadcast globally by The Daily Bugle\u2019s J. Jonah Jameson.<\/p>\n

NEXT \u2192<\/p>\n

06<\/p>\n

With his identity exposed and his loved ones under threat, Peter seeks help from a powerful sorcerer to cast a spell that would make the world forget he is Spider-Man. Peter\u2019s constant modifications to the spell cause it to fracture the multiverse. Which sorcerer casts this spell?<\/p>\n

\n AWong
\n BWanda Maximoff
\n CDoctor Strange
\n DKarl Mordo\n <\/p>\n

\u2713 Correct! Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) casts the memory-wiping spell at Peter\u2019s request, but Peter keeps asking for exceptions \u2014 for MJ, Ned, May, and Happy to still remember him. These constant changes corrupt the spell and tear open the multiverse, pulling in villains from other Spider-Man universes.<\/p>\n

\u2717 Web miss! The answer is Doctor Strange. While Wong is the Sorcerer Supreme and actually warns Strange against it, it is Stephen Strange who agrees to cast the spell. Wanda\u2019s multiverse interference occurs in Multiverse of Madness, not here.<\/p>\n

NEXT \u2192<\/p>\n

07<\/p>\n

Throughout all three films, Peter\u2019s loyal best friend serves as his \u201cguy in the chair,\u201d helping with tech support and keeping his secret. In No Way Home, this character even discovers he can open magical portals using a Sling Ring. Who is Peter\u2019s best friend?<\/p>\n

\n ANed Leeds
\n BFlash Thompson
\n CHarry Osborn
\n DMiles Morales\n <\/p>\n

\u2713 Correct! Ned Leeds, played by Jacob Batalon, is Peter\u2019s best friend and self-proclaimed \u201cguy in the chair.\u201d He discovers Peter\u2019s secret identity in Homecoming, supports him across all three films, and in No Way Home he accidentally uses Doctor Strange\u2019s Sling Ring to open portals to other Spider-Men.<\/p>\n

\u2717 Web miss! The answer is Ned Leeds. Flash Thompson is Peter\u2019s rival and bully who ironically idolizes Spider-Man. Harry Osborn is Peter\u2019s friend in the Raimi and Webb films but doesn\u2019t appear in Holland\u2019s trilogy. Miles Morales is only hinted at. Ned is the irreplaceable \u201cguy in the chair.\u201d<\/p>\n

NEXT \u2192<\/p>\n

08<\/p>\n

At the emotional climax of No Way Home, Peter makes an enormous personal sacrifice to save the multiverse. Doctor Strange completes the spell, and when it takes effect, Peter is left completely alone. What does the final spell do?<\/p>\n

\n AIt sends Peter to an alternate universe where no one knows him
\n BIt erases Spider-Man from existence entirely
\n CIt removes Peter\u2019s spider powers permanently
\n DIt makes everyone in every universe forget who Peter Parker is\n <\/p>\n

\u2713 Correct! The final spell makes every person in every universe forget that Peter Parker exists. MJ, Ned, Happy, the Avengers \u2014 everyone. Peter visits MJ at the coffee shop afterward but decides not to re-introduce himself, choosing to protect them. He starts over completely alone, sewing his own suit in a small apartment.<\/p>\n

\u2717 Web miss! The answer is that everyone forgets who Peter Parker is. The spell doesn\u2019t erase Spider-Man \u2014 people still know the hero exists \u2014 but nobody remembers Peter Parker the person. This devastating sacrifice means MJ, Ned, and even Happy Hogan have no memory of him at all.<\/p>\n

REVEAL MY SCORE \u2192<\/p>\n

\n Assessment Complete
\n Your Spider-Sense Rating\n <\/p>\n

\n \/ 8\n <\/p>\n

Are you an Avenger \u2014 or just a friendly neighborhood bystander?<\/p>\n

\u21bb SWING AGAIN<\/p>\n

The Venom trilogy came closest to finding a successful formula. Tom Hardy’s commitment to the character is absolutely what carried those films despite their abundance of flaws. Eddie Brock’s dynamic with the Venom symbiote<\/a> was entertaining enough to keep audiences coming back for more (to a point). Beyond Hardy’s performance, the trilogy still never reached its full potential.<\/p>\n

Again, Spider-Noir commits on every level with a story and characters that go all in with this grittier and darker 1930s New York, completely unapologetic in its execution. In this way, Spider-Noir’s success makes past efforts like Morbius and Madame Web look even worse in hindsight. The problem was never the characters themselves, but the lack of effort and commitment in the approach.<\/p>\n

Hopefully, Sony learns the right lessons from this exciting new victory going forward, especially with the reported plans to kickstart a newer Spider-Man universe that effectively wipes the slate clean.<\/p>\n

All episodes of Spider-Noir are now streaming on MGM+ and Prime Video.<\/p>\n

\"spider-noir-poster.jpg\"<\/p>\n

Release Date<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMay 27, 2026<\/p>\n

Network<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMGM+<\/p>\n

Showrunner<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOren Uziel, Steve Lightfoot<\/p>\n

Directors<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHarry Bradbeer<\/p>\n

\"Headshot<\/p>\n

\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Lamorne Morris<\/p>\n

\n Robbie Robertson\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Outside the MCU, Sony’s Spider-Man Universe has been one of the most frustrating franchises in modern superhero filmmaking.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":703536,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[49,48,75],"class_list":["post-703535","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-entertainment","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-entertainment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/703535","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=703535"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/703535\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/703536"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=703535"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=703535"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=703535"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}