Aaron Taylor-Johnson recently opened up about his experience working onKraven the Hunter. While promoting his upcoming role inBullet Train, where he stars alongside Brad Pitt, Brian Tyree Henry, Logan Lerman, and Karen Fukuhara, Taylor-Johnson provided some new information about Sony’s adaptation of theSpider-Mananti-hero.
It was last year whenKraven the Hunterfound its lead in Taylor-Johnson. Sony’sSpider-ManUniverse film has gone on to add Academy Award winnerAriana 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 Hunterwill 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 ofBullet Trainat CineEurope, he offered new insight into his upcoming Marvel anti-hero.Taylor-Johnson described Kravenas “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 thatKraven the Hunterwill 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’sKick-Assand the Jeff Wadlow-directed sequel. Taylor-Johnson has also previously appeared inthe Marvel Cinematic Universe as Quicksilverin the post-credits forCaptain America: The Winter Soldierand officially inAvengers: Age of Ultron. His role inKraven the Hunterwill be less comedic thanKick-Assand likely more emotional than his role as Quicksilver.
Taylor-Johnson isn’t the only member ofKraven the Hunterwith previous Marvel experience, as screenwriters Art Marcum and Matt Halloway previously penned the script forIron Man. Marcum and Halloway also penned the script forthe action-packed filmUncharted,starringSpider-Man’s Tom Holland. FellowKraven the Hunterscreenwriter Richard Wenk has written his fair share of action, penning the screenplays forThe 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 Hunteris slated for release on July 06, 2025.
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