Whoa! It looks as if the smokestacks over at the old Rumor Mill are belching black clouds, which can only mean one thing: It's time for the latest Spider-Man rumor. Before we get down to business, I must ask that you take the following with not a grain, but a boulder of salt. A report hailing from The Illuminerdi claims that Keanu Reeves has officially been offered the role of Kraven the Hunter in his own solo film.
Born Sergei Kravinoff, Kraven the Hunter is a Russian immigrant whose aristocratic family fled to America following the Russian Revolutions. With intensive training and the help of a potion that gave him superhuman abilities, including increased strength, speed, reflexes, and enhanced senses, Kraven became a fearsome big-game hunter who tackled the most dangerous game on the planet, preferably with his bare hands. Kraven is also one of Spider-Man's most famous villains, and, in one of his most memorable comic-book stories, "Kraven's Last Hunt," even defeats Spider-Man by seemingly killing him and burying him. Kraven then assumed Spider-Man's identity by donning his own Spidey outfit and set out to prove himself superior at his former adversaries' own game.
Back in August, Deadline unleashed a report stating that Sony is looking to give the classic Spider-Man villain, Kraven the Hunter, his very own film. The outlet also says that Sony is eyeing J.C. Chandor (Triple Frontier, A Most Violent Year) to direct. Meanwhile, Matt Tolmach and Avi Arad are set to produce.
In the Illuminerdi's report, the outlet says the project is currently being referred to simply as Kraven. It also states that the film has been described as a "mashup" between Logan and Man on Fire.
As I said, I'd take this "news" with a heaping mound of salt. On the off chance that the Illuminerdi's report is legit, what do you think of Reeves taking on the role? Personally, I can think of at least five actors who'd be better suited to the role, including Karl Urban and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, or perhaps Gwendoline Christie could play Kraven's daughter, Ana Kravinoff. Now that would be inspired casting!