Madame Web and Kraven were ‘not terrible films’ blasted by vengeful critics, says Sony boss
No one wants to end a seven and a half year stint at a major Hollywood studio with an all-timer guy… but unfortunately Sony Pictures Kraven the Hunter just a few weeks before CEO Tony Vinciquerra’s last day. The director spoke candidly about the flop in an illuminating exit interview with the LA times prior to his departure on January 2.
When asked about the rousing failure of the Spider-Man-adjacent Kravenwhich has yet to cross the $20 million mark in the US in its first two weeks, Vinciquerra admits that the long-delayed superhero movie was “probably the worst launch” Sony had during his tenure. But he stands up for Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s vehicle, calling it “not a bad movie.”
The interviewer hits a bit of a nerve by saying the words: “Mrs. Webout loud. Vinciquerra also calls the first of 2024’s three Spider-Man-adjacent Sony films “not a bad movie.” Mrs. Web played well on Netflix, according to Vinciquerra (a claim borne out by the film’s continued placement in the Netflix top 10 for a few weeks over the summer), but eventually the press just “crucified it.” Critics also had their knives out Poisonsays the CEO, but in the case of that trilogy starter, “the audience loved it.” Poison.”
Vinciquerra has reason to take victory laps after leading Sony Pictures since 2017: as the column notes, he has been instrumental in expanding the company’s anime footprint and has, by all accounts, backed the commitment of the studio for theatrical distribution and support for filmmakers. Sony also acquired the Alamo Drafthouse theater chain last summer and sees potential as a springboard for exclusive Crunchyroll films. But more words than expected are spent defending the Sony Spider-likes, and condemning critics for hating them Mrs. Web.
Critics didn’t care for this year’s Spidey-less list, that’s true. On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes: Mrs. Web stands with a positive 11%, Venom: The Last Dance with 41%, and Kraven comes to 15%. Rotten Tomatoes’ newly added “Popcorn Meter” – a rating issued by verified #fans of #movies – tells a slightly different story: Mrs. Web got a thumbs up from 55% of fans, The last dance earned 81%, and Kraven gets a big boost with 73%.
Why would critics want to dismiss Sony’s Spider-Man villain films? Vinciquerra has no theories, but he acknowledges that the studio is about to “rethink” its Marvel strategy. Not because the movies are bad, but because, as Vinciquerra puts it, if the studio released another one, the press would destroy it for being a Sony Spider-Man movie.
“For some reason the press decided they didn’t want us to make these films Kraven And Mrs. Web,” says Vinciquerra. “These aren’t terrible movies. They were just destroyed by the critics in the press for some reason.”
During Vinciquerra’s tenure, a number of films were released that actually involved Spider-Man, including No way home (93% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes) and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse (95% critics score). But from the studio’s perspective, the press really didn’t want it Kraven movie, specifically. Maybe the non-Popcornmeter fans didn’t either; Shortly after the film bombed at the box office, the Marvel Studios subreddit begged Sony to sell the rights to the characters in hopes of a better future.
Sony’s COO Ravi Ahuja will step into the role of CEO on January 2. It’s unclear what direction Sony will take with its IP, but for now it’s full steam ahead. Spider Man 4. But let’s be clear about something: I speak on behalf of all members of the entertainment press when I say that I personally had a great time at Mrs. Web and fully encourage its development and production Mrs. Web 2. Her web connects them all.