Sony Pictures chief Tony Vinciquerra recently told the Los Angeles Times he was caught aback by the response to Marvel’s latest film releases, speaking directly about the box office return for Kraven The Hunter. That film, off to a terrible start, isn’t a bad movie, said Vinciquerra.
Kraven The Hunter, which bowed on December 13, opened to a mere $11 million—the worst opening for any Marvel film let out by Sony. The movie has grossed an estimated $18 million total domestically, while its worldwide gross stands at an estimated $43 million.
Vinciquerra characterized the opening as “probably the worst launch we’ve had” during his near eight-year tenure at the studio, but he still seems perplexed by the movie’s reception, saying, “The film is not a bad film.”
On the other hand, Vinciquerra blamed the box office performance of Madame Web because the press “just crucified” it. He did note that the movie did quite well on Netflix, indicating a difference in critical reception compared to audience reception. He did say the same happened to Venom, but it still pulled through because audiences appreciated it.
“The critics just killed them,” he lamented, while defending the films as “not bad.” He went on to say that perhaps it is time Sony rethinks its approach to the Spider-Man universe.
