‘Kraven the Hunter’ Star Oddly Optimistic About the Spider-Man Spin-Off’s Sequel Chances

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As a seasoned film enthusiast with over three decades of cinematic voyages under my belt, I must say, the impending release of “Kraven the Hunter” has left me both intrigued and perplexed. Having seen the highs and lows of superhero adaptations, I can’t help but feel a sense of melancholy for this enigmatic character who has long been a fan-favorite yet elusive addition to the Spider-Man universe.

Despite Sony Pictures seemingly abandoning plans for Kraven the Hunter’s appearance in a Spider-Man movie, fans remain hopeful that they will continue to be intrigued by the character… It’s worth noting that despite various directors like Sam Raimi, Marc Webb, and Jon Watts attempting to include Kraven the Hunter in a Spider-Man film for years, Sony has chosen an alternate route. Instead, they are planning to release an origin movie for this Spider-Man adversary in the mold of Venom and Morbius. In summer 2021, Aaron Taylor-Johnson was cast as Kraven the Hunter, but after numerous postponements, the film is now scheduled for release. However, excitement among fans has been relatively low.

At the opening of “Kraven the Hunter” in New York, Aaron Taylor-Johnson expressed his conviction to The Hollywood Reporter that viewers who attend the movie may find themselves eager for more, suggesting a potential sequel that currently seems uncertain. He placed the responsibility on the audience, stating:

The initial film we have here is designed for everyone – feel free to watch it, and I believe that by the conclusion, you’ll be eager for more of his adventures. The decision is in your hands; the power is yours now.

Johnson’s remarks emerged following news that Sony is scrapping their cinematic universe focused on Spider-Man sidekicks, often referred to as the Spider-Man Shared Universe (SSU). Despite Venom’s successful box office debut, subsequent films like Morbius and Madame Web were met with poor reviews in the superhero realm and underperformed financially. Kraven the Hunter will reportedly be the final film in this struggling franchise, potentially ending Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s tenure as Kraven before it even started.

Will ‘Kraven the Hunter’ Really Ever Return?

It appears quite unlikely, given the negative reviews, that fans will eagerly anticipate more of Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s portrayal of Kraven the Hunter. With a mere 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s even slightly better received than Madame Web (11%) by critics. The moviegoers aren’t asking for Kraven either, as its box office opening is expected to be dismal at around $13 to $15 million. With poor word of mouth and disappointing box office figures, it seems that the hunter may soon find itself hunted when Kraven the Hunter gets overpowered by popular animal-themed movies such as Mufasa: The Lion King and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 at the box office.

Yet, give something enough time, no matter how bad the initial reaction might be, people will inevitably grow nostalgic for it. For proof, look no further than the warm reaction Jennifer Garner got playing Elektra in Deadpool & Wolverine, despite her solo 2005 film being considered one of the worst superhero movies ever and with a review score lower than Kraven the Hunter‘s. So, perhaps in 20 years, if the superhero genre is still going, Aaron-Taylor Johnson will cameo in a comic-accurate costume, and people will cheer.

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2024-12-12 16:01