The director J.C. Chandor recently teased that Kraven the Hunter’s story is going to be a tragic one. During a new profile regarding Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Kraven, the topic of the popular actor being the lead in his own Marvel film was discussed. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Kraven is considered to be a second-tier villain, so many fans are busy thinking about why Taylor-Johnson decided to take on the role.
From what the actor and director claim, it turns out the intense drama and the final Shakespearean tragedy involved with Kraven’s character and his origins are what attracted them. In an interview with Esquire, Chandor said, "Sony probably doesn't want me to lead with this, but the story is a tragedy. When the final credits roll on this film, if you've been paying attention, you won't have the feeling that this is all going to end great."
The Story Of Kraven the Hunter
Kraven the Hunter is about a Russian immigrant known as Sergei Kravinoff, who is on a mission to prove himself as the greatest hunter in the world. The movie features a stellar cast, including Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Sergei Kravinoff / Kraven, Christopher Abbott, Arana DeBose as Calypso, and Fred Heichinger as Dimitri Smerdyakov / Chameleon.
Currently, the roles of Alessandro Nivola, Russell Crowe, and Levi Miller are unknown, but they have officially been added to the movie’s cast. Describing the character of Kraven, Taylor-Johnson said, “Sergei Kravinoff is a beautiful character because it's someone who's really understanding themselves and has flaws.” We sure are excited to meet Sergei! You can see the trailer for Kraven the Hunter below:
The Origins Of Kraven The Hunter
In Marvel Comics, Kraven the Hunter is a Russian aristocrat’s son who ran to America during the fall of the Russian Empire. The hunter continued to train to prove himself as the best hunter in the world and decided to use a mystical serum to give himself a headstart toward his goal. The serum ended up slowing down his aging process, enhancing his reflexes, and maximizing his strength.
Even though Kraven’s father is not greatly featured in the comics, his family does play a crucial role. His half-brother, known as Dimitri, eventually becomes a major villain, famously referred to as The Chameleon. He has also been an enemy of Spider-Man for a long time now. Kraven’s daughter, wife, and sons also become different types of hunters, while his clones were also created by Mister Sinister and The High Evolutionary.
Kraven the Hunter film will take a much different road, but it might be one that leads to the same destination; the destruction of the Kravinoff family. Russell Crowe's Nikolai Kravinoff is set to be the antagonist that will most probably die in the movie, while Fred Hechinger will play the role of Dimitri, aka The Chameleon.
Hopefully, the depth of Kraven’s story in Kraven the Hunter will somehow make the anti-hero/villain a much more interesting and compelling figure as compared to his counterpart in the comics. If this turns out to be true, then it has the potential to follow into a much larger story arc in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe.
Kraven the Hunter is set to release in theatres on August 30, 2024.
