"Kraven the Hunter" Director Shares Update on Superhero Movie

American filmmaker J. C. Chandor shared an update on Sony Pictures' R-rated Spider-Man Universe spin-off movie, “Kraven the Hunter”.

The latest in Sony Pictures’ universe of Marvel characters features Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Bullet Train) as the iconic Marvel villain Sergei Kravinoff.

In comic book storylines, Kraven debuted in Marvel Comics’ Amazing Spider-Man #15. He considered himself the greatest hunter in the world and deemed the wall-crawler the ultimate prey to catch. Kraven is also oftentimes portrayed as a member of the supervillain team the Sinister Six.

It also stars Ariana DeBose, Christopher Abbott, Alessandro Nivola, Russell Crowe, and Fred Hechinger. Crowe portrays Taylor-johnson’s father Sergei Kravinoff and Alessandro Nivola plays the Rhino.

While the comic-book adaptation is set to be an R-Rated blood fest, however, there is more to the movie than simply action. 

Speaking to Esquire, the filmmaker labels the movie, "a tragedy."

“Sony probably doesn’t want me to lead with this,” Chandor said, “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.” 

According to Esquire's report, the comic-book arc “Kraven’s Last Hunt,” written by J. M. DeMatteis, had a large part to play in informing the 'tragedy' element of the upcoming movie. 

In DeMatteis' work, Kraven a.k.a Sergei Kravinoff, assumes Spider-Man's identity after faking the web-slinger's death, but ultimately spares his comic-book counterpart, before meeting a grizzly demise via the end of his own rifle. 

Taylor-Johnson has previously opened up about how he intends to approach the role, stating that his version is "an animal lover" and "a protector of the natural world."

The actor stated he liked playing Kraven because he’s "not an alien or a wizard. He's just a hunter, a human with conviction. An animal lover and a protector of the natural world."

He also called Kraven "one of Marvel's most iconic, notorious anti-heroes" and "Spider-Man's number one rival."

"Kraven the Hunter" also features Ariana DeBose as Calypso and Fred Hechinger as Dmitri Smerdyakov/ Chameleon, a master of disguise who also just so happens to be Kraven's half-brother in the comics. Christopher Abbott and Levi Miller also star.

J.C. Chandor directs the pic from a screenplay by Art Marcum, Matt Holloway, and Richard Wenk.

“Kraven the Hunter” hits theatres on August 30, 2024.