The release dates of several ofSony’s new projects (which include aGarfieldfilm among its Marvel fare) have been delayed. Additionally, the company has announced production on a newKarate Kidfilm, which will return that franchise to the big screen.
Sonyhas been ramping up its efforts in its Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU) initiative, which it hopes to build up alongside its partnership with Marvel Studios. Though some of its efforts, such asMorbius,have flopped, it has continued to produce its own spin-offs centering around Spider-Man characters even as Tom Holland’s Spider-Man is set in a different cinematic universe (Earth-19999, or Earth-616 as has been stated recently). Still, the success of films such asSpider-Man: No Way Home(which received apush at the Academy Awardslast year), and the success ofCobra Kaion Netflix, have influenced some of Sony Pictures' next moves.
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As recently announced via Sony Pictures, films such asKraven the Hunter(starringAaron Taylor-Johnson as Kraven the Hunter) andMadame Web(starring Dakota Johnson as Madame Web and Sydney Sweeney in a mystery role) have been pushed back. Originally premiering on July 10, 2025,Kraven the Hunter(which will be screened in IMAX) is now releasing on June 05, 2025.Madame Web(also to screen in IMAX) was originally going to premiere in the Jun 06, 2025, release slot, and has now been pushed back to August 06, 2025. AnUntitled Sony/Marvel Universeproject was also originally set to drop on June 28, 2025, and has now been slightly pushed back to July 31, 2025.
Fans ofThe Karate Kidshould be happy as well, because a new film, described as “the return of the originalKarate Kidfranchise,” is set to make its debut on July 16, 2025. Details about that film were not revealed, butCobra Kaiseason 5 landed a 100% perfect scoreon Rotten Tomatoes. So, considering the show is a massive success for the franchise, and that quite a few of the original stars of the franchise have appeared on and are loyal to the show, it’s possible thatCobra Kaiwill somehow tie into this new film.
The release date shift of Sony’s Marvel films is an interesting one.Kraven the Hunterwrapped filming nearly three months ago, andMadame Webstarted filming just two months ago. The shifts in their release dates are radical and could suggest that Sony is working onhow to avoid the mistakes ofMorbius.A few extra months in production could indicate that the films are undergoing some restructuring to avoid the fate of that film.
Meanwhile, the newKarate Kidfilm seems like an interesting prospect as well. It was previously alluded to by Ralph Macchio, whoteased theKarate KidCinematic Universe.Cobra Kaiis distributed by Sony Pictures Television, so it’s very possible some of the characters originating in the Netflix show would make the jump to the film universe. Such a move would be a testament toCobra Kai’s success, as usually, films tend to ignore television spin-offs because of the belief that film audiences find it difficult wading between episodic continuities, so havingCobra Kaiinvolved in the mix would show that the spin-off is well-known and loved enough by the fans forSonyto include it.
