It’s fair to say that Sony’s Spider-Man Universe has had some fun with its characters to varying effect at the box office. First, they made Venom without Spider-Man, and people still flocked to see Tom Hardy and the tongue. Then came that Jared Leto-starring Morbius, which somehow flopped twice (after someone believed that the “Morbin’ Time” meme would somehow help — it did not). And now there’s a Kraven The Hunter movie on the way, which refers to the Marvel character who has famously worn a lion pelt and has very much been (as his name indicates) a hunter.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson is starring in the title role, and while speaking about Sony’s Bullet Train (co-starring Brad Pitt) over the weekend, he chatted about the Kraven project. Although it’s cool that the movie’s being shot on location (still novel in 2022), Variety quotes Taylor-Johnson as describing the Spidey nemesis as kind-of a granola guy:
Taylor Johnson also spoke about his experience shooting “Kraven the Hunter,” who he described as “one of Marvel’s most iconic, notorious anti-heroes — Spider Man’s number one rival.” He said he found exciting the fact that this character is “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’s a very, very cool character.” He added that unlike other Marvel movies, “this one is shot entirely on location.”
Naturally, this is a slightly confusing development for some fans, as this response to The Direct’s tweet indicated.
Kraven's iconic look is literally wearing a skinned lion. Wtf are the morons at Sony smoking pic.twitter.com/d5RzrOGU5t
— IbbY's journey 🇱🇧 🇵🇸 (@Jrny4Better) June 21, 2022
Yet it’s worth backing up for a moment to look at an argument (from THR‘s Richard Newby) about how Kraven departed from hunting game (for the sake of sport). Also, Taylor-Johnson’s quote has been published without much context.
https://twitter.com/RICHARDLNEWBY/status/1539219273276702721
https://twitter.com/RICHARDLNEWBY/status/1539225504032731137
There is, however, the question of whether this movie will be memed like Morbius: “i’m Kravin’ some Action!!”
Kraven the Hunter gonna say some dumbass shit like “i’m Kravin’ some Action!!” pic.twitter.com/w2RTW3n06G
— ClappedClarko (@ClappedClarko) June 21, 2022
Sony is going to have Kraven say “I’m Kraven a good time.” in hopes replicate morbius memes. https://t.co/LaTjW86s9Q
— Gh0stBeat (@BeatGh0st) June 21, 2022
And then there’s just a general “wtf” response, which is a fair one.
Kraven's coworkers at the animal shelter when he pulls up wearing a dead tiger on his back https://t.co/hWR6aGQakg pic.twitter.com/yWPNAgZ2MU
— Count Vertigo❄ (@thZetaGundam) June 21, 2022
Kraven the HUNTER, famously the protector of the natural world💀
— Ollie🏹 (@TheQuiver_) June 21, 2022
His name is literally Kraven the Hunter…He wears lion skin and leopard pants. Somebody please get Marvel away from Sony lol https://t.co/nRKG0GD7Jd
— J. Ever 🎥(Pietro) (@RoronoaPerk) June 21, 2022
"kraven the animal lover" extremely funny
sony franchise undefeated— CEREBRO (@CerebroCast) June 21, 2022
Well we did a Venom movie without a Spider-Man. A Morbius movie without an audience. Now it's time for a Kraven movie without hunting. https://t.co/DFnf3f7Syd
— Ashley Talks Comics! (@ComicGirlAshley) June 21, 2022
Isn’t his name literally Kraven the Hunter? https://t.co/LyCLKJ7Tui
— Jeff Muad’Dib (@starwart1) June 21, 2022
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Kraven the hunter A HUNTER??? https://t.co/Lu7QnkYRM5
— TK-5⁵ (@_TK_555555) June 21, 2022
Kraven The Hunter‘s currently sporting a January 13, 2023 release date.
(Via Variety)