Sony's Continued Spider-Man Woes Explained
A detailed look at the development and demise of Sony's Spider-Man Universe movie, El Muerto, and the challenges it faced.
The Rise and Fall of El Muerto
Sony's Spider-Man Universe has faced ongoing challenges with its movie El Muerto, which was set to be the first Marvel movie releasing in 2024. The film's development faced numerous setbacks and ultimately missed its scheduled January 2024 release date. Here's an in-depth look at the rise and fall of El Muerto.
Custom image of Bad Bunny in Bullet Train side by side with El Muerto choking Spider-Man in the comics.
El Muerto was met with mixed reception upon its announcement, largely due to the character's obscurity and minimal presence in the Spider-Man comics. Unlike other films in Sony's Spider-Man Universe, El Muerto centered on a lesser-known Marvel character, leading to uncertainties about its potential success.
El Muerto
The film was set to feature Bad Bunny as the titular El Muerto, a Latin-American wrestler who gains superhuman powers by wearing a mask passed down through generations. His conflict with Spider-Man and the challenges he faces were poised to be the central focus of the movie's storyline.
El Muerto and son
Despite the initial excitement surrounding the announcement, El Muerto's development began to stall shortly after its confirmation, casting doubts on the project's future. The character's unpopularity and the limited information about the film added to the challenges it faced.
Gael García Bernal and Bad Bunny in Cassandro
Twitter article posted by All Things Raimi Spider-Man
The Enigmatic El Muerto
El Muerto, a failed villain-centric movie in Sony's Spider-Man Universe, faced significant obstacles from the outset. The character's obscurity and the minimal information released by Sony Pictures about the project contributed to the enigmatic nature of the film.
Eddie Brock speaking to Venom with a chicken
The announcement of El Muerto at Sony's CinemaCon panel in April 2022 sparked mixed responses, as the character's lack of popularity raised concerns about the movie's potential reception. Bad Bunny's surprise appearance to confirm his role as El Muerto added an element of intrigue to the project.
Kraven the Hunter in fur jacket
The film was intended to explore the conflict between El Muerto, a wrestler with superhuman abilities, and the iconic Marvel Web-Slinger, Spider-Man. The limited Marvel Comics appearances of the character meant that the proposed storyline was the only reasonable possibility for the film's events.
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The Troubled Journey of El Muerto
El Muerto's development faced significant challenges, leading to its eventual demise. The film's initial announcement in April 2022 was followed by the appointment of directors and writers, creating an impression of progress. However, the project soon encountered hurdles that hindered its development.
The film's standstill, confirmed by Bad Bunny's publicist in March 2023, marked a critical turning point in El Muerto's troubled journey. Sony's decision to pull the movie from its release schedule in June 2023 further solidified the challenges it faced, ultimately leading to the departure of Bad Bunny from the project.
Despite the setbacks, Bad Bunny's unique celebration of El Muerto's initial release month in January 2024 showcased the lingering impact of the film. His music video featuring a cameo from Spider-Man served as a poignant reminder of the missed opportunity and the unfulfilled potential of El Muerto.
