Sony Announces Spider-Man Spin-off Movie El Muerto

As Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures reap incredible rewards from Spider-Man: No Way Home's run at the box office, Sony continues working diligently to build its own universe of Spider-Man characters. While the first two Venom movies became somewhat successful, financially more than critically, things have not gone so well for the studio in recent times.

Sony is currently reeling from the disappointing reception to Jared Leto's Morbius, which was widely panned by critics and turned in one of the lowest opening weekend box office totals in more than a decade. However, even that level of negativity isn't stopping Sony from trying to build up more characters through spin-off solo films.

Currently, in the works are Dakota Johnson's Madame Web and Aaron Taylor-Johnson's Kraven the Hunter, both set to release next year. Now, thanks to Sony's latest public appearance, fans know of another solo movie to expect in the near future - one featuring arguably the most obscure character Sony's ever tackled.

Sony Enlists Rap Star for Spidey Film

Deadline reported that Sony has enlisted Latin rapper and Grammy winner Bad Bunny to play Spider-Man character El Muerto, a super-powered wrestler in the comics, in a standalone movie within Sony's Spider-Man Universe. This will be the first Latin hero to get his own solo movie in any Marvel franchise.

This marks Bad Bunny's third film or TV appearance to date after making a name for himself as a platinum-selling recording artist. He's also won four Latin Grammy Awards and two Grammy Awards.

As for El Muerto, the character has only made a dozen appearances as a super-powered wrestler Spider-Man saved from death. His father was killed by a mystical wrestling god known as El Dorado, and he threatened El Muerto with the same fate if he didn't claim a mask and become a wrestling champion.

The hero's powers are passed down through the generations, and he's fought the web-slinger a number of times to prove his power to the world. The aforementioned mask is what gives El Muerto his powers.

The film will release in theaters on January 12, 2024.

Sony Taking a Long Shot with El Muerto

As many can probably tell, El Muerto isn't exactly a household commodity amongst superhero fans, even in a franchise that features other names like Venom and Kraven the Hunter. But Sony, still working its hardest to build an expansive Spider-Man universe, is hoping that this wrestling legend can lead a hit superhero movie when the time comes. 

Adding to this unexpected story is the fact that Sony is putting Bad Bunny into the spotlight for what will be undoubtedly the biggest role of his short acting career. After making a name for himself in a big way in the Latin music community, the team is surely hoping that his popularity with the Latin community will push the movie to at least some financial success upon release.

All in all, this is a wild move by Sony, even considering some of the wild moves that the studio has made with its Spider-Man-related characters in recent years. Even so, fans remain optimistic that Bad Bunny can deliver a new and exciting Latin hero, making history within the superhero genre and hopefully giving Sony's Spider-Man Universe a pillar for its expanding story.

El Muerto will debut in theaters on January 12, 2024.