10 things to know before going to see Kraven the Hunter this December

As a lifelong comic book enthusiast who has been following Spider-Man since his early days, I must say that the upcoming “Kraven the Hunter” film has certainly piqued my interest. The movie’s darker tone and R rating are particularly appealing to me, as it seems to be an attempt to explore the grittier side of the Spider-Verse.

Kraven the Hunter is hitting the big screen, and there are a few things to know about this character!

The Sony Universe of Spider-Man has had its ups and downs; some films like Venom have been triumphant, yet others such as Morbius and Madame Web have not fared well. Despite these setbacks, Sony continues to push forward with their next Spider-Man project: Kraven the Hunter. This character boasts a deep backstory, so here are some key points about the upcoming movie before its release in December!

He’s one of Spidey’s oldest foes

Initially introduced in “Amazing Spider-Man” issue 15, published back in 1964, Sergei Nikolaevich Kravinoff made his debut as the world’s most accomplished big game hunter. Craving something more exhilarating than stalking and capturing ordinary animals, Sergei adopted the moniker Kraven to pursue Spider-Man, whom he regarded as a singularly challenging quarry. Unlike many of his adversaries, Kraven didn’t possess any superpowers but was exceptionally skilled for navigating the urban landscape of New York City. He preferred to engage in hand-to-hand combat rather than relying on firearms and adhered to a strict code of honor.

Kraven frequently serves as one of Spider-Man’s recurring enemies and is an original member of the Sinister Six, a group that often presents a significant challenge to Spider-Man. However, compared to other adversaries in his rogues gallery, Kraven generally ranks lower in terms of threat level.

He’s related to another famous Spidey foe

Kraven initially appeared in Spider-Man’s universe when his longtime foe, the shape-shifting Chameleon, reached out. This skilled deceiver recruited Kraven to catch Spider-Man, and their partnership proved effective. It was later revealed that they were not merely friends but half-brothers, a fact that has led to some intriguing alliances in the past. The Chameleon and Kraven frequently collaborate to cause trouble for Spider-Man.

He became bigger in death than life

Following years spent as a secondary adversary, Kraven reached his zenith in the iconic 1987 storyline titled “Kraven’s Last Hunt.” This narrative (marking the first crossover between the three Spider-Man comics available then) depicted Kraven surprising and drugging Spider-Man before burying him alive. Subsequently, he donned his costume and took on a darker persona as a sort of Spider-Man imposter.

After spending several weeks trapped, Spider-Man managed to escape to confront Kraven. Believing he had triumphed by defeating Spider-Man, Kraven released him and ultimately ended his own life. This story was astounding as Kraven’s influence expanded significantly in death, making him one of Spider-Man’s most renowned adversaries while alive.

He eventually returned

For a while, the tradition of Kraven continued as his offspring alternated in assuming the role of the Hunter, from the Grim Hunter to one of his daughters. Later on, in 2009-10, storylines “The Gauntlet” and “Grim Hunt” brought about Kraven’s return from the dead due to a selfless act by his family members, yet a curse compelled him to relentlessly hunt.

Since that point, the character has remained active, collaborating with the Sinister Six, clashing with Wolverine, and in a more light-hearted scenario, socializing with Squirrel Girl. His story appeared to reach its conclusion in 2020’s “Hunted,” as Kraven orchestrated events so his clone (known as the Last Son of Kraven) would slay him, thereby lifting his curse. However, given that Kraven has previously defied death, it left room for speculation about a possible return.

Kraven could have been in the movies before

In the year 2007, while wrapping up “Spider-Man 3”, director Sam Raimi contemplated dividing the film into two parts and introducing Kraven in “Spider-Man 4”. The specifics are hazy, but Raimi showed enthusiasm over the prospect of Spider-Man facing off against a non-superhuman adversary.

Since Sam Raimi’s departure and Sony’s decision to reboot the Spider-Man franchise, numerous ideas for the fourth film failed to materialize. This shift ultimately led to proposals for a Sinister Six movie, but the underwhelming response to The Amazing Spider-Man 2 halted those plans. It wasn’t until 2018 that Richard Wenk managed to write a screenplay that would initiate production.

The movie is an origin story

In this fresh adaptation, directed by J.C. Chandor, Aaron Taylor-Johnson steps into the role of Kraven, who is depicted as an unconventional hero with a strong affinity for animals. He finds himself dealing with his domineering father Nikolai, played by Russell Crowe, and Fred Hechinger takes on the role of The Chameleon. Ariana DeBose, an Academy Award winner, brings Calypso to life, a character from the comics who is both a voodoo priestess and Kraven’s romantic interest.

Another Spider-Man foe shows up

In this film, the primary antagonist is The Foreigner, portrayed by Christopher Abbott, who has had past encounters with Spider-Man. Additionally, Aleksei Sytsevich, also known as the Rhino, played by Alessandra Nivola, is a recurring adversary of Spider-Man. Known for his massive size and distinctive rhino-like armor, including a tusk, the Rhino presents a formidable challenge for Spider-Man to overcome.

The character has appeared in various animated Spider-Man series. In the live-action film “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” Paul Giamatti portrayed him, culminating with his character putting on a massive suit of armor at the end. This upcoming movie takes a different approach by transforming Aleksei into a rhino-like creature to fight Kraven, making him a more distinct adversary.

It’s a Sony Spiderverse film

It’s important to clarify that this story has no connection whatsoever with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Sony has established its own continuity for its tales, as demonstrated in “Spider-Man: No Way Home” where it was shown as an entirely different universe. Therefore, don’t anticipate Tom Holland making a surprise appearance, but there might be some allusions to Spider-Man.

It’s Rated R for a reason

This Sony Spider-Man film is their first R-rated installment, and the cast and director have hinted that it warrants this rating for a compelling reason. The red-band trailer suggests intense violence as Kraven portrays hunting with ruthless precision and brutal kills. The movie won’t mince words in depicting the savagery of Kraven and his adversaries, promising to be the most grim and exhilarating Sony Spiderverse film ever made.

The movie has hit a few delays

The movie encountered several setbacks during its production timeline. Initially scheduled for filming between March and June 2022, it was initially planned to release in summer 2023. However, post-production work was pushed back until October 6, 2023. Unfortunately, the 2023 Hollywood strikes prevented actors from promoting their work, causing the studio to move the release date to August 30, 2024. Then, in April of 2024, Sony decided to delay it once more, this time scheduling it for December 13, 2024, amid whispers of potential reshoots.

At last, following a lengthy and meandering journey, it appears that Kraven is ready to make his debut on the silver screen. Fans eagerly anticipate that this iconic adversary of Spider-Man will finally receive the recognition he deserves in live action.

Kraven the Hunter premieres in theaters Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.

2024-11-30 17:31

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