Aaron Taylor-Johnson proved himself as a greatKraven the Hunterand I think he should return, even if it’s outside ofSony’s Spider-Man Universe. While I agree thatKraven the Huntermight have squandered its potential, I don’t think Aaron Taylor-Johnson is to blame. It’s wild to think that Kraven was his third Marvel movie role after starring as Dave Lizewski in theKick-Assduology and Quicksilver in 2014’sAvengers: Age of Ultronand yet it looks as though the comic book movie veteran might have failed to get the ball rolling on a recurrent character in 2024.
According to reports,Kraven the Hunteris the finalinstallment in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. The plug was pulled following an unfavorable smattering of early reviews, leveling criticisms at an overstuffed cast, clunky script, and underwhelming VFX. It has proven somewhat divisive, however, as fans once again disagree with critics (only this time it doesn’t feel like aMorbius-esque meme). Where the two groups can and should agree, however, is that Aaron Taylor-Johnson was one ofKraven the Hunter’s greatest saving graces and defied concerns.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson Was A Surprising Pick For Kraven The Hunter
The Kick-Ass Actor Wasn’t Fans' First Pick For The Grizzled Hunter
Aaron Taylor-Johnson wasn’t the most popular pick for the role that exudes as much machismo as Kraven the Hunter. We only need to look at his previous two Marvel roles to see why.Kick-Ass is an awkward and meek average Joewho is definitively in over his head. Quicksilver, while one ofMarvel’s most powerful characters, is a spritely superhero whose lighthearted irreverence significantly contrasts the typical severity of Kraven the Hunter. Both characters also share the qualities of being young and slender, while Aaron Taylor-Johnson is an attractive Hollywood star.
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All these qualities antithesize Kraven.Kraven the Hunter is a grizzled and imposing figurewho, while superhumanly agile, is a far cry from the likes of Quicksilver. This was a big concern among Kraven fans when this casting was announced, as the characteristics of the iconic Spider-Man villain are more akin to actors like Jason Momoa and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Still, Aaron Taylor-Johnson is a talented actor and I think he ultimately proved this duringKraven the Hunterdespite the initial trepidation.
I’ve Changed My Mind, Aaron Taylor-Johnson Proves He’s A Great Kraven
Aaron Taylor-Johnson Embodies Kraven’s Physical Attributes And Brings Something Extra
As his shirtless scene aboard his escape plane unabashedly illustrated, Aaron Taylor-Johnson got shredded for tenure as Kraven, a marked departure from the more slender roles he took on in the past. AsKraven the Hunteris an origin story, it is also easier to look past the fact that Aaron Taylor-Johnson looks significantly more youthful than Kraven typically does in Marvel Comics. With a little more makeup, a goatee, and a haircut,I’m confident that Aaron Taylor-Johnson would pass inspection for Kraven’s comic-accurate physical attributesif he appeared in another movie.
His funnier moments and clapbacks also make it easy to see him swapping jibes with the famously quick-witted wall-crawler, which is exactly where I think Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Kraven should pop up next.
He has also convinced me with his characterization. Aaron Taylor-Johnson exudes masculine charisma while injecting moments of levity that help to make him a particularly compelling character. His action sequences are also among the biggest highlights ofKraven the Hunter, which is a crucial aspect to nail when portraying a villain that repeatedly goes toe-to-toe with Spider-Man in the comics. His funnier moments and clapbacks also make it easy to see him swapping jibes with the famously quick-witted wall-crawler, which is exactly where I think Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Kraven should pop up next.
Marvel Or Sony Need To Bring Back Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Kraven The Hunter Somehow
The Multiverse Could Once Again Provide An Opening
So it seems that Sony’s Spider-Man Universe has run its course, withKraven the Hunterrounding out the franchise. Nevertheless, nobody sees Sony relinquishing the distribution rights for Marvel’s most famous character any time soon, and it certainly looks as though the studio will continue leaning into its successes with its animatedSpider-Versemovies and Tom Holland’s MCU outings, which are soon to continue with theanticipatedSpider-Man 4in 2026. Yet while its attempt at a cinematic universe may have collapsed,I don’t think this should spell the end for its characters - especially Venom and Kraven.
The death of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe also means that Knull’s franchise-spanning story has been left hanging.
Thanks tothe multiverse being a well-established in-road to the MCU for Marvel movie characters of yesteryear, exemplified most recently byDeadpool & Wolverineand its countless cameos, it’s still possible for Aaron Taylor-Johnson to continue portrayingKraven the Hunter. Bringing the character into the MCU is entirely explicable, especially after Venom hopped over to the MCU’s Earth-616 inSpider-Man: No Way Home. Failing that, of course, it’s still possible thatSony will bring Kraven backin a future movie of their own and in a way that makes more sense: as a primary antagonist in a future Spider-Man installment.
Kraven the Hunter
Cast
Kraven the Hunter explores the origin story of Sergei Kravinoff, known as Kraven, as he navigates his tumultuous relationship with his father, Nikolai. This path of vengeance sets Kraven on a journey to become a formidable hunter with a reputation for fearsome brutality.
