Sony has done everything possible to launch its own branch of the Marvel Comics Universe.

While the “Venom” franchise has been moderately successful, albeit with diminishing terms for each of the three films, other possible tent poles like “Morbius” and “Madame Web” have failed to get out of the block.

Now comes “Kraven the Hunter” in what might be the last gasp for Sony to prove it is capable of making a comic book film that doesn’t involve Spider-Man. “Kraven” proves to be more of the same as its predecessors — a lifeless attempt at a tent pole that lacks much creativity. It’s a bland, assembly line action film that really feels like it is coasting on autopilot.

The title character is actually Sergei Kravinoff (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), the son of ruthless mob boss Nikolai who gets secret powers when he is given a mystical serum after being attacked by a lion. Sergei develops animal like instincts and the ability to move like an animal, making him stronger and faster than his previous human self.

As Sergei/Kraven tries to get accustomed to his new powers, he is pursued by multiple people. There is a villain known as the Rhino (Alessandro Nivola in one of the most bizarre performances in recent history), a hypnotic time shifter known as The Foreigner (Christopher Abott) and even to an extent his father Nikolai.

With help from his brother Dimitri (Fred Hechinger) and Calypso (Ariana DeBose), a lawyer linked to Kraven’s past who becomes an ally.

“Kraven” was directed by J.C. Chandor, whose previous work “All Is Lost,” “Margin Call” and “A Most Violent Year” — all three good films, but none of the material that would suggest that you knew your way behind the camera of a comic book action film.

Taylor-Johnson brings little more to the title character than a near-perfect six pack, a bland anti-hero that won’t exactly leave audiences clamoring for more adventures.

Rhino is not really an interesting villain, while the Foreigner is wasted with very little screen time. The villains may be a little undercooked, but it is still more than DeBose is given — a thankless role that has very little to offer.

About the only thing that does work is Crowe, who practically devours the scenery with his over-the-top Russian criminal. Crowe feels like he is in another movie — getting everything he can in his minimal screen time.

Crowe proves to be the high point in a film with very little high points to offer. You’d think a franchise wanna be with this much on the line would have put every once of creativity possible into the final product, but that is no the case with “Kraven.”

This is a bland adventure that will likely disappear from theaters by Christmas Day and probably signals the end of Sony making another comic book movie that isn’t built around Spider-Man.

If You Go
“Kraven the Hunter”
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ariana DeBose
Directed by: J.C. Chandor
Rating: R for strong bloody violence and language
Playing at: Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas (Glasgow)
Grade: D