As a long-time comic book enthusiast and moviegoer, I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment at the lackluster performance of “Kraven the Hunter.” Having grown up reading about the relentless pursuit of Spider-Man by this iconic villain, the absence of our friendly neighborhood wall-crawler in this film felt like a missed opportunity.
The critiques for “Kraven the Hunter” are out, and it seems like the Sony Spider-Man Universe is wrapping up. This may disappoint fans of the “Venom” series, but for others, it could leave them perplexed rather than sad.
Despite spanning over six films and six years, and featuring four primary characters, it remains surprisingly challenging to follow the narrative continuity within the Sony Spider-Man universe. Titles like “Venom,” “Morbius,” “Madame Web,” and “Kraven the Hunter” were intended to form a unified world, but connections between these movies are scant at best. The only shared aspect among them is their lack of the character who could potentially tie everything together: Spider-Man. The absence of Spider-Man in 2018’s “Venom,” and the subsequent issues that arose within this universe, can be explained by specific reasons, but understanding these origins doesn’t significantly improve our comprehension.
As a passionate fan, I must confess that the release of “Kraven” was undeniably a letdown at the box office, a fact that could lead one to consider it as the nadir of this whole endeavor. Don’t get me wrong; there were some commendable aspects to the movie, but overall, it mirrored the same messiness and lack of appeal that has been characteristic of Sony’s string of Spider-Man villain films.
Kraven looked to be in trouble ahead of its release
Even before “Kraven the Hunter” made it to cinemas, it was widely anticipated that the film wouldn’t be a box office success. Previous films like “Madame Web” and “Venom: The Last Dance” didn’t perform well financially, so there were few expectations for “Kraven” to surpass them. Before its release, predictions suggested it might earn between $20 and $25 million during its opening weekend, which is relatively low for a big-budget superhero movie. In fact, even the film’s creators seemed to recognize that prospects weren’t promising.
In an interview with ComicBook, director J.C. Chandor admitted that the previous Sony Spider-Man Universe films may have tarnished the reputation of “Kraven the Hunter,” potentially impacting its success. Chandor urged audiences to give the film a chance and support it in order to help erase some of the negative impressions left by other movies, such as “Morbius” and “Madame Web.” However, it appears that the less-than-positive reception of those films has indeed affected “Kraven’s” financial performance.
It had the lowest-ever opening for a Sony Spider-Man Universe film
Surprisingly, not many anticipated that “Kraven the Hunter” would break records in the Sony Spider-Man Universe, though there was a glimmer of expectation that it could surpass “Madame Web,” which made around $15 million during its debut weekend. Even the most pessimistic predictions only expected “Kraven” to open at about $13 million, while some were more hopeful and thought the film might gross as much as $20 million.
In the most disappointing manner imaginable, “Kraven” surpassed all expectations negatively by earning only $11 million at the domestic box office during its debut weekend. This figure is lower than that of “Madame Web,” and it also fell drastically short compared to Sony’s other two poorest performers, “Morbius” and “Venom: The Last Dance,” which respectively garnered $39 million and $51 million during their opening weekends. Abroad, the film didn’t fare any better, earning only $15 million despite screening in more than 20,000 theaters worldwide.
Initially, the film “Kraven” didn’t have a promising debut, and it seems unlikely that things will improve in the future. In fact, it plummeted by an astounding 66% at the box office on its first day, which indicates that it might not survive for long due to negative word of mouth. Furthermore, the movie faces additional challenges such as its high production budget.
Kraven the Hunter probably won’t recoup its production budget
As a gamer, I’ve got to admit that Kraven the Hunter didn’t quite hit the mark at the box office. By any standard, it was a tough break for the film. The trouble is, this movie came with a hefty price tag, and that was a challenge in itself. You see, when it comes to superhero movies, they tend to be among the most costly films ever produced due to their extensive use of high-priced visual effects.
The production of “Kraven” was a lengthy process that spanned several years. Originally envisioned back in 2018, filming for this project finally started in 2022. Initially budgeted at $90 million, the movie’s costs escalated due to reshoots complicated by a writers’ strike in 2023, pushing the final budget up to approximately $110 million.
Despite a budget of $90 million for “Kraven”, its poor performance during the opening weekend raises significant concerns, as the film’s box office earnings of only $11 million only covered half of the increased production costs. This implies that if the Sony Spider-Man Universe intends to move forward post “Kraven”, it will need to secure additional funding sources, as the movie seems unlikely to generate a substantial profit.
Kraven had some stiff competition
It can be argued that “Kraven the Hunter” didn’t excel based on its own qualities, but it’s important to consider that it wasn’t exactly swimming in advantageous circumstances during its debut weekend. Although there weren’t many new films released at the same time, it had to face off against two heavyweights at the box office. “Moana 2” dominated the weekend with earnings exceeding $26 million, while “Wicked” continued to impress by gathering over $22 million even after being in theaters for nearly a month.
In terms of recent film releases, “Kraven” faced competition from “The Lord of the Rings: The War of Rohirrim,” which debuted and earned approximately $4.5 million at the box office last weekend. This animation may have attracted some potential viewers away from “Kraven.” Although it aimed for a slightly distinct audience, “Kraven” still had to compete with “Gladiator II.” Despite being in its third week, “Gladiator II” managed to earn over $7 million. However, Sony’s movie was the top earner over the weekend.
In simpler terms, it appears that when “Kraven” was released at the box office, many viewers chose to watch other movies instead. This could be because there were several alternatives available that weekend. While it’s possible that different competitors wouldn’t have made “Kraven” a success, it might have garnered slightly more audience if it had faced less competition.
Critics hated Kraven the Hunter
The film “Kraven the Hunter” didn’t receive much praise from critics, which isn’t all that shocking. For instance, “Madame Web” currently has a dismal 11% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Interestingly, the “Venom” series, a favorite among Sony’s Spider-Man fans, hasn’t been well-received by critics either. So, it’s possible that “Kraven” could have garnered more positive reviews than anticipated, but it still doesn’t indicate a great reception.
According to Metacritic, “Kraven” received a score of 35, making it unlikely that many viewers will add it to their watch list, although it’s not quite bad enough to be listed as one of the worst films ever produced. However, Rotten Tomatoes paints a more concerning picture with a mere 14% approval rating. In this case, “Kraven” could potentially surpass “Madame Web,” but it still finds itself among the poorest quality comic book movies in existence.
It’s noteworthy that the audience seems to be treating “Kraven” quite gently so far. As of now, its approval rating stands at 71%, a figure that positions it alongside “Morbius.” This might not be something the filmmakers welcome, considering how audiences generally appreciate the poor quality of “Morbius.” However, this similarity could potentially mean that “Kraven” will eventually cultivate a dedicated fanbase.
The performances couldn’t shine through the problems
The film “Kraven the Hunter” might have been poorly timed, but it still boasts some commendable aspects. Numerous critics agree that although the narrative falls flat, the movie’s action sequences are exceptional, particularly due to Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s performance. In his review, YouTuber Zach Pope commented, “He does a fantastic job as Kraven the Hunter, especially in terms of the action and embodying the character.” Shadows on the Wall also lauded Taylor-Johnson for being captivating on screen, stating that he possesses an engaging and magnetic presence. Moreover, they appreciated the performances of Russell Crowe, Ariana DeBose, and Fred Hechinger in the film as well.
Of course, solid acting can only carry a movie so far. Both of the above reviews maligned the dialogue in the movie and noted that the actors were obviously held back by the lines they needed to deliver. Other reviewers pointed out how the uneven pacing and sloppy editing marred the overall experience of the movie, and some boiled down their criticism of the film to a single point: it’s a bit boring.
According to The i Paper’s critique, while they acknowledged the strong performances, particularly Taylor-Johnson’s, their slightly Russian accent reminiscent of a Meerkat couldn’t compensate for the decreasing appeal of the film’s overall entertainment value. Essentially, the positive aspects of the movie were overshadowed by numerous factors that detracted from its enjoyment.
Kraven isn’t a huge character in Marvel comics
Kraven the Hunter”, despite being a well-known adversary of Spider-Man in comic books for many years, doesn’t carry the same weight or significance as other Marvel characters such as Ultron, Kang, Thanos, or Galactus. This means that Kraven hasn’t had much impact outside of the Spider-Man universe and hasn’t faced off against the Avengers in a major way.
In the comic book realm, Kraven is more akin to Morbius or Madame Web rather than Venom, who stands out with his numerous solo series and occasional heroic portrayals. Venom has built a dedicated fanbase, contributing to the popularity of the “Venom” film adaptations. Unlike Kraven, who primarily serves as a supporting character in Spider-Man’s stories, you’ll seldom find him outside of Spidey comics. This is why it comes as something of a shock that Sony decided to give Kraven his own movie lead role.
Sony’s Kraven is basically a different character
Although Kraven isn’t universally recognized as the most renowned Marvel villain, he remains adored by dedicated Spider-Man enthusiasts due to his extensive background within Spidey’s rogue gallery. In fact, in one narrative, he even managed to kill our beloved web-slinging superhero, sparking curiosity among fans about what a live-action Kraven would entail.
As a devoted fan, I must admit that watching “Kraven the Hunter” left me feeling somewhat bewildered. While certain elements of the character, such as his name, general abilities, and final costume, remained true to the comics, Sony’s portrayal felt like an entirely new entity in many respects. The movie significantly altered Kraven’s origins, motivations, and power set compared to the comic book version.
In the film, Kraven has a deep bond with his brother and harbors animosity towards his father who is involved in illicit drug trade. A nature enthusiast, Kraven acquires supernatural abilities following a close brush with death courtesy of an enigmatic serum, subsequently battling against his father’s criminal organization. In the comics, Kraven torments his sibling, obtains powers through stealing a magical concoction from a shaman, and is consumed by an unbridled passion for hunting the world’s most fearsome creatures. It’s understandable that the movie opted to soften Kraven’s character, but the comics version thrives on its excessive nature. The cinematic portrayal of Kraven lacks the same intrigue.
Kraven the Hunter had no chance without Spider-Man
In the movie adaptation of Kraven, Sony significantly altered his background; however, “Kraven the Hunter” might have resonated better with fans if it had retained a crucial element from the comics – Kraven’s relentless pursuit to be the one who kills Spider-Man. Among all the aspects that comic book enthusiasts know about Kraven, this singular obsession stands out as his defining characteristic, encompassing both an essential plot device and a genuinely distinctive personality trait.
Unlike most villains in the Spider-Man series, Kraven doesn’t share a personal grudge or bond with Spidey. Instead, he sees Spider-Man’s powers as the perfect challenge for the ultimate hunt. In fact, it seems that among all the Sony Spider-Man Universe movies, “Kraven” experiences the most discomfort when there’s no sign of Spidey around. Characters like Venom have Eddie Brock as a partner and their own adversaries to focus on, while Morbius finds purpose in his vampiric struggles. Even Madame Web had some association with Spider-Man himself.
While Kraven is portrayed in the film, he seems detached from the wider cinematic universe. His character lacks self-sufficiency due to his primary motivation in the comics being centered around hunting Spider-Man for decades. Even if all other issues with the movie were resolved, “Kraven” would still encounter difficulties as the film neglects to incorporate Spider-Man into its narrative.
What’s next for Sony’s Spider-Man Universe?
It appears that “Kraven the Hunter” may signify a pause in Sony’s production of standalone Spider-Man villain films for now, but it doesn’t mean they’re completely abandoning the character. In fact, Sony is likely to continue its association with Spider-Man, especially since the animated “Spider-Verse” series is still ongoing. However, there might be a delay in seeing new installments of this franchise on the big screen as production for the third film was halted during the 2023 writers’ strike and its release could potentially be as late as 2026 or 2027.
At present, Sony continues to be part of the live-action Spider-Man film universe. It has been confirmed that Tom Holland’s fourth Spider-Man film is being made and is expected to begin filming in 2025. There have been whispers about the plot for “Spider-Man 4,” with some speculating it could follow on from the events of “Avengers: Doomsday” in 2026, as the movie is slated for release on July 24, 2026.
It seems highly probable that “Kraven the Hunter” will mark the conclusion of the current Sony-led Spider-Man universe, as the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to progress with Spider-Man playing a part in future events. Unfortunately for Sony’s Spider-Man world, it may need to restart its plans.
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2024-12-19 03:31