It was last year when Kraven the Hunter found its lead in Taylor-Johnson. Sony’s Spider-Man Universe film has gone on to add Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose to play Kraven’s love interest Calypso, as well as Christopher Abbott, Russell Crowe, Alessandro Nivola, Fred Hechinger, and Levi Miller to the cast. Kraven the Hunter will be directed by J.C. Chandor, who has previously worked with several Marvel stars, including Robert Redford and Oscar Isaac.

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During Taylor-Johnson’s promotion of Bullet Train at CineEurope, he offered new insight into his upcoming Marvel anti-hero. Taylor-Johnson described Kraven as “one of marvel’s most iconic, notorious anti-heroes – Spider-Man’s number one rival.” Taylor-Johnson went on to describe the appeal of his character. “[Kraven] is not an alien, or a wizard. He’s just a hunter, a human with conviction,” Taylor-Johnson said. “An animal lover and a protector of the natural world. He’s a very, very cool character.” Taylor-Johnson’s description of Kraven makes the Spider-Man foe sound far more heroic than the character has often been portrayed.

Part of Kraven’s history is that he was a big game hunter in Africa. However, Kraven is also more than merely human, as he comes into enhanced abilities by consuming an herbal potion often concocted by Calypso. The potion grants Kraven enhanced strength and speed, in addition to improved sight, agility, and stamina. In this form, Kraven is more dangerous than the large cats he once hunted. Taylor-Johnson’s descriptions of Kraven as an “animal lover” and “human with conviction” are sight differentiations of what Kraven is often known to be.

Taylor-Johnson also mentioned that Kraven the Hunter will differ from other Marvel films in that “this one is shot entirely on location.” Taylor-Johnson is no stranger to acting in superhero films, as he starred in Matthew Vaughn’s Kick-Ass and the Jeff Wadlow-directed sequel. Taylor-Johnson has also previously appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Quicksilver in the post-credits for Captain America: The Winter Soldier and officially in Avengers: Age of Ultron. His role in Kraven the Hunter will be less comedic than Kick-Ass and likely more emotional than his role as Quicksilver.

Taylor-Johnson isn’t the only member of Kraven the Hunter with previous Marvel experience, as screenwriters Art Marcum and Matt Halloway previously penned the script for Iron Man. Marcum and Halloway also penned the script for the action-packed film Uncharted, starring Spider-Man’s Tom Holland. Fellow Kraven the Hunter screenwriter Richard Wenk has written his fair share of action, penning the screenplays for The Equalizer. How Chandor and Taylor-Johnson will tap into the heart of Kraven’s story to paint him in a more heroic light will be an intriguing addition to the notorious Spider-Man anti-hero.

Kraven the Hunter is slated for release on January 13, 2023.

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Source: Variety