Sony Removes Bad Bunny-Led Spider-Man Film ‘El Muerto’ from Release Calendar
Sony has made the decision to remove ‘El Muerto’ from its release calendar, which would have been the first Marvel film featuring a Latino lead. The movie, starring rapper Bad Bunny in the titular role, was originally slated for release on January 12, 2024, but it has been taken off the schedule along with a few other films.
In the comic books, the character known as Juan-Carlos Estrada Sanchez, or El Muerto, is an antihero with ties to the Spider-Man universe. According to Marvel’s biography, El Muerto’s powers stem from a special luchador mask. Juan Carlos, a Mexican wrestler, acquires superhuman abilities when he inherits the mask from his father, a legacy passed down through generations. The possession of this ancestral mask makes Juan Carlos a target for the villain El Dorado, who seeks to challenge him for its power. In a brave act, Juan Carlos’ father sacrifices his life to protect his son, allowing him to escape and spend the next decade preparing for a showdown with his family’s nemesis. When the project was initially announced at Sony’s Cinema Con in 2022, Bad Bunny expressed his excitement about portraying El Muerto, calling it an incredible opportunity.
Despite ‘El Muerto’ being removed from the release calendar, the film represents Sony’s ongoing trend of building a separate universe apart from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, centered around the beloved character Spider-Man. This trend began with the release of ‘Venom’ in 2018, followed by its sequel ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ in 2021, and the recent release of ‘Morbius’. Sony’s Spider-Man universe is expanding further with upcoming films like ‘Kraven the Hunter’, featuring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, set for release on October 6, and ‘Madame Web’, starring Dakota Johnson, scheduled for February 16, 2024.
Image via Sony Pictures
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Who Is El Muerto, the Character Bad Bunny Is Playing in the Spider-Man Film?
Other Release Date Changes
In addition to removing ‘El Muerto’ from the schedule, Sony has announced new release dates for other films. ‘Dumb Money’, originally set for October 20, will now release on September 22. Meanwhile, the biblical epic ‘The Book of Clarence’, led by LaKeith Stanfield, has taken the January 12 slot vacated by ‘El Muerto’. ‘The Book of Clarence’ follows the story of Clarence, a struggling resident of Jerusalem who embarks on a misguided journey to exploit the rising fame and influence of the Messiah for personal gain. This endeavor leads him on a path of self-discovery, exploring the concept of faith in unexpected ways. The film boasts a talented cast including Omar Sy, RJ Cyler, Benedict Cumberbatch, James McAvoy, Anna Diop, Teyana Taylor, David Oyelowo, Alfre Woodard, and Marianne Jean Baptiste, among others.
Watch the trailer for ‘Bullet Train’, featuring Bad Bunny.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sony, Bad Bunny, Spider-Man, El Muerto, Marvel, release calendar.
Why was ‘El Muerto’ removed from Sony’s release calendar?
Sony made the decision to remove ‘El Muerto’ from its release calendar for reasons undisclosed. It signifies a shift in their Marvel universe plans.
Who was supposed to play the lead role in ‘El Muerto’?
Rapper Bad Bunny was set to portray the titular character in ‘El Muerto’, marking his debut as a lead actor in a major film.
What is the backstory of El Muerto in the comics?
In the comics, El Muerto, also known as Juan-Carlos Estrada Sanchez, is an antihero whose powers stem from a special luchador mask. He is a Mexican wrestler who inherits the mask from his father, granting him superhuman abilities. The possession of the ancestral mask makes him a target for the villain El Dorado.
Is Sony building a separate universe for Spider-Man?
Yes, Sony has been creating a separate universe centered around Spider-Man, distinct from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Films like ‘Venom’, ‘Morbius’, and upcoming projects like ‘Kraven the Hunter’ and ‘Madame Web’ are part of this expanded Spider-Man universe.
What are the new release dates for other films mentioned?
Sony has announced that ‘Dumb Money’ will now be released on September 22 instead of October 20. ‘The Book of Clarence’ has taken the January 12 slot previously occupied by ‘El Muerto’.
More about Sony, Bad Bunny, Spider-Man, El Muerto, Marvel, release calendar.
- Bad Bunny
- Spider-Man
- El Muerto
- Marvel Cinematic Universe
- Venom
- Morbius
- Kraven the Hunter
- Madame Web
- [Dumb Money](Link not available)
- [The Book of Clarence](Link not available)
5 comments
sony’s building its own spider-man universe? that’s cool! loved venom and morbius, can’t wait for kraven the hunter and madame web. they better bring spidey into the mix at some point!
el muerto sounds like an interesting character from the comics. love the idea of a luchador mask giving him superpowers. too bad the film got scrapped. maybe we’ll see bad bunny in another superhero role soon!
wow sony removed ‘el muerto’ from release calendar? sad, was really looking forward to it. bad bunny wouldve been amazing as the lead role! hope they have a good reason for it.
changing release dates can be frustrating, but i’m curious about ‘dumb money’ and ‘the book of clarence’. both sound like unique stories with talented casts. looking forward to checking them out!
awww man, was really hyped for el muerto. bad bunny bringing the character to life would’ve been epic. hope sony has some surprises in store for us spider-man fans!