Kraven the Hunter is one of Spider-most Man’s feared adversaries, yet he has yet to appear in the MCU.
That is about to change, though, with the announcement of an official release date for Sony’s forthcoming Spider-Man spin-off film Kraven the Hunter.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been cast as Sergei Kravinoff, nicknamed Kraven the Hunter, the Russian-born predator and dangerous adversary of Peter Parker from Marvel comics.
He’ll be joined by Ariana DeBose of West Side Story, who Deadline says would play voodoo priestess Calypso Ezili, the supervillain who endows Kraven with the abilities that make him such a fearsome adversary.
Alessandro Nivola (A Most Violent Year, First Man) has also joined the cast in an unspecified role. In contrast, Christopher Abbott (A Most Violent Year, First Man) has been cast as The Foreigner, an assassin, and one of Spider-adversaries Man’s first introduced in the Marvel comics in the 1980s.
Continue reading to learn everything there is to know about Kraven the Hunter.
Kraven the Hunter Release Date
Kraven the Hunter will not premiere until 2023, with a current release date of 13th January 2023. The film was granted the green light for the first time in 2018.
It was rumored that filming would commence shortly during the end of January 2022.
“Production start dates have always been speculative, and it’s critical to remember that now more than ever, but it sounds like Kraven the Hunter will begin production in the U.K. next month, assuming no delays,” Murphy’s Multiverse said.
“Given the film’s January 2023 release date, this is a very reasonable timeframe for primary filming, allowing ample time for any additional photography that is always incorporated into major productions.”
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Kraven the Hunter Cast and Characters
Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been cast in the titular role (Avengers: Age of Ultron, Tenet).
Taylor-Johnson recently disclosed to Andrew Garfield through Hero Magazine that he’s “had a bunch of stunt training to undertake for this film.”
“I’m OK! I’m in England; I’m not in London, but close to the Kraven the Hunter production headquarters. I’m staying here because I have a lot of stunt training to complete for this film, and so the director and I are bunking together for the next couple of weeks, “‘He stated.
When Garfield was asked how he felt about assuming the role of a guy about whom so many people will have strong feelings, he added: “It is not without its difficulties. As you are aware!”
Without a doubt. Kraven the Hunter is one of Spider-most Man’s lethal adversaries — and the ideal candidate for a live-action showdown with the superhero.
As for who Spider-Man will appear in the film, there has been no hint that Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield, or Tobey Maguire will appear, so fans will have to wait for further details.
On the plus side, the film’s cast is beginning to take shape, with Deadline claiming that Ariana DeBose of West Side Story will join the ensemble as Calypso Ezili, the titular villain’s long-time lover and companion.
Christopher Abbott (A Most Violent Year, Initially Man) has also joined the cast as The Foreigner, a villain first introduced in the 1980s Marvel comics.
Meanwhile, Fred Hechinger (The White Lotus, Pam & Tommy) has joined the cast as Dmitri Nikolaievich Smerdyakov, aka the Chameleon, the titular character’s half-brother.
Russell Crowe (Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind) and Alessandro Nivola (Disobedience, American Hustle) joined the cast in yet-to-be-announced parts. Still, Crowe is expected to play a member of Kraven’s family.
Is a Trailer for Kraven the Hunter available?
Regrettably, there is no trailer for Kraven the Hunter yet, as the film is currently in pre-production. Keep an eye on this place!
What Can We Expect From Kraven the Hunter?
Kraven the Hunter is being produced in strict secrecy, with storyline information few and infrequent.
However, Sony is likely to present Kraven the Hunter similarly to Venom and the upcoming Morbius film, which means the film will serve as an origin narrative for the iconic Marvel character, portraying him as an anti-hero with the prospect of crossovers with Sony’s other Marvel properties.
Additionally, based on the casting, we may surmise that the genesis narrative will center on the villain’s family and explore his human side.
Back in 2018, when discussing his thoughts for the script, Wenk indicated the film would be inspired by writer J.M. DeMatteis’s iconic comic book saga Kraven’s Last Hunt, in which the villain dons Spidey’s suit in an attempt to show he’s a greater hero.
“You have to take everything in,” Wenk explained to Discussing Film (via Comicbook). “I believe that we are all revolving around Kraven’s Last Hunt and if this is a prelude to or will contain that film.
We’re discussing those points. And even the possibility that Kraven may be akin to Kill Bill, where we’re essentially creating two films.”
Wenk continued by confirming that the spin-off will have a confrontation with Spider-Man.
“I’m just getting started, and because it’s a large I.P., the Marvel universe, there are a lot of obstacles to clear before you can begin writing, to crack the good plot and establish the correct tone. For me, this is a new universe, “he said.
It’s unknown how closely the film will follow Kraven’s Last Hunt, considering it ends tragically, with Kraven *spoiler alert* committing suicide.
The next Spider-Man picture may take a completely different approach. Kraven the Hunter is scheduled for a premiere on 13th January 2023.