Sony has been actively building its cinematic universe with its licensed Marvel properties. But the projects have been mired with production schedule issues. On the other hand, the Karate Kid franchise has heated up thanks to the popularity of Cobra Kai on Netflix which is already on its fifth season. What does this mean for the burgeoning Spider-Verse under Sony Pictures? Will the new Karate Kid film be based on the popular Cobra Kai series or entirely new? Check out the details below.
Marvel projects delayed
According to a report by Variety, the Kraven the Hunter and Madame Web films have been moved from their projected releases to later dates.
— Variety (@Variety) September 16, 2022 Both Kraven the Hunter and Madame Web were tied into the Spider-Man cinematic universe that Sony is building. Although separate from the main Marvel Cinematic Universe under Marvel Studios and Disney, it is connected tangentially through the multiverse as established in Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Previous film projects such as Venom (2018), its sequel Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), and Morbius (2022), are to be part of Sony’s Spider-Verse. Kraven the Hunter which will star Aaron Taylor-Johnson is set to revise the character from a villain to more of an anti-hero. On the other hand, Madame Web starring Dakota Johnson and Sydney Sweeney will have the Julia Carpenter version of the titular character taking over from the original Madame Web. Both films were rumored to lead in to a new Spider-Man film, separate from the Tom Holland movies. On that note, a third Marvel movie under Sony was also been set for July 12, 2024. It was not identified what the title of this movie would be, but it is rumored this is the new Spider-Man film.
New Karate Kid
In the same report, it was announced that a new The Karate Kid movie will begin production and targeted for a 2024 release.
— Variety (@Variety) September 16, 2022 There are no specific details for the new Karate Kid film, including any cast, director, or production crew. While Cobra Kai has rekindled the popularity of the franchise, it is unclear if the new Karate Kid film will be based on or as a spinoff of the show. It should be noted that if this is a Karate Kid reboot, this would not be the first time. In 2010, a Karate Kid feature film was released that starred Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan. However, the plot and characters had no relation to the 1980s films other than the title. Moreover, this new Karate Kid film was set in Beijing, China instead of the U.S. And the martial arts that were featured were Kung Fu and Wushu, instead of the Japanese Karate. Kraven the Hunter is now set for a theatrical release on October 6, 2023. Meanwhile, Madame Web will debut in theaters on February 16, 2024. No release date has been officially set for the new Karate Kid film.
