Sony’s Kraven movie will be a major departure from the comics based on the words of Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Fans of the Kraven the Hunter from the comics might find themselves a bit disappointed by the news that is coming courtesy of the film’s star, Aaron Taylor-Johnson. If he’s to be believed, Sony’s Kraven movie will be a major departure from his comic book origins.

During a chat with Variety, Aaron Taylor-Johnson spoke about his time as the character and revealed that the film recently wrapped production after shooting entirely on location. While describing the role, Johnson said Kraven is “one of Marvel’s most iconic, notorious anti-heroes – Spider-Man’s number one rival.” He went on to say that he is “not an alien or a wizard. He’s just a hunter, a human with conviction.” It’s the next description that is throwing some fans as Johnson confirmed that in the movie Kraven is “an animal lover and protector of the natural world.” This character trait alone does go directly against the central core of the character as depicted in the comic books.

Kraven the Hunter, also known as Sergei Kravinoff, is a ruthless big game hunter in the comic books and he would eventually turn his attention to Spider-Man in an attempt to track and kill him as prey because he was worthy of his standing. Kraven would eventually be turned into an anti-hero that showed some respect to his opponents but he also had no issues about killing animals. In fact, he wore a lion’s pelt as part of his costume.

Sony Pictures likely felt him as a bloodthirsty hunter would be a tough sell to mainstream audiences but changes like this don’t do much to calm the fears of fans who think the studio doesn’t really know what to do with the plethora of Spider-Man characters they have the rights to. While the Venom films were financially successful, reviews weren’t entirely stellar, and the stench of the failure of Morbius continues to linger. I actually have some hope in regards to Kraven the Hunter because the character is at least interesting but Sony makes it a little hard to maintain that hope.

Kraven the Hunter will also star Ariana DeBose as Calypso, Fred Hechinger as The Chameleon, Christopher Abbott as The Foreigner, Alessandro Nivola as another unnamed villain, and Russell Crowe will also appear in an undisclosed role, rumored to be that of Kraven’s father.

Do YOU think the changes to Kraven’s character were necessary for the Sony movie? Kraven the Hunter, directed by J.C. Chandor, hits screens on January 13, 2023.