Complete Guide to Kraven the Hunter Cast & Marvel Characters

The upcoming film Kraven the Hunter is set to expand the Sony Spider-Man Universe, following in the footsteps of Venom and Morbius. This installment introduces the third Spider-Man villain from Marvel Comics to headline their own feature film. Despite the notable absence of Spider-Man, played by Peter Parker, characters like Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock, Jared Leto’s Michael Morbius, and Michael Keaton’s Adrian Toomes (the Vulture) have established their domains within this universe. Kraven the Hunter stands poised to join this intriguing roster.

Since Kraven the Hunter’s first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #15 in 1964, he has become pivotal to Spider-Man’s mythology, driven by a relentless obsession to hunt down the web-slinger and claim the title of the world’s greatest hunter. His character has been central to some of Marvel’s most iconic narratives. Although Kraven briefly appeared in the animated film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in 2023, this film will mark his debut in a live-action feature, promising to leave a significant mark on the Sony Spider-Man Universe.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Sergei Kravinoff, A.K.A. Kraven The Hunter

Date of Birth: June 13, 1990

Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Sergei Kravinoff in Kraven the Hunter

Active Since: 1996

Actor: Aaron Taylor-Johnson takes on the role of the titular character in Kraven the Hunter. Prior to this, he portrayed Pietro Maximoff, or Quicksilver, in the MCU’s Avengers: Age of Ultron before meeting his fate there. His diverse filmography includes standout performances in Kick-Ass, Nowhere Boy, Godzilla, and Bullet Train.

Notable Movies/TV Shows	Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Roles
Kick-Ass	Dave Lizewski / Kick-Ass
Godzilla	Lieutenant Ford Brody
Avengers: Age of Ultron	Pietro Maximoff / Quicksilver
Bullet Train	Tangerine

Character: In this film, Taylor-Johnson embodies Kraven the Hunter, one of Spider-Man’s legendary foes. The character was introduced shortly after Spider-Man himself and is known as a founding member of the original Sinister Six, alongside villains like Doctor Octopus and Vulture. The film will delve into Sergei Kravinoff’s backstory, detailing his past and the origins of his powers, which have been adapted from the comics for this live-action portrayal.

Russell Crowe as Nikolai Kravinoff, Kraven’s Father

Date of Birth: April 7, 1964

Russell Crowe as Kraven's father in Kraven the Hunter holding a gun

Active Since: 1972

Actor: Russell Crowe enhances the cast with his strong presence, widely recognized for his Oscar-winning role as General Maximus in Gladiator. He has also appeared in acclaimed films like A Beautiful Mind, Cinderella Man, and Les Misérables. Additionally, Crowe has ventured into superhero cinema, playing Jor-El in Man of Steel and Zeus in Thor: Love and Thunder.

Notable Movies/TV Shows	Russell Crowe’s Roles
Gladiator	Maximus Decimus Meridius
3:10 to Yuma	Ben Wade
Man of Steel	Jor-El
Thor: Love and Thunder	Zeus

Character: Crowe plays Nikolai Kravinoff, the father of Kraven. This film will portray Nikolai’s rigorous training methods aimed at shaping his sons into great hunters, highlighting the complex and often harsh dynamic within their family. The character of Dmitri Smerdyakov, Kraven’s half-brother, will also be featured, exploring the familial bonds portrayed throughout the film.

Ariana DeBose as Calypso

Date of Birth: January 25, 1991

Ariana DeBose - Kraven the Hunter (Official Music Video)

Active Since: 2009

Actor: Ariana DeBose, who made her mark in film and theater since 2009, is renowned for her Oscar-winning performance in West Side Story and has also graced productions like Hamilton and The Prom. Recently, she voiced the lead character in Disney’s animated film, Wish.

Notable Movies/TV Shows	Ariana DeBose’s Roles
Westworld	Maya
West Side Story	Anita
Wish	Asha
For Argy	Keira

Character: DeBose portrays Calypso, a powerful priestess and Kraven’s love interest. In the comics, Calypso has an affinity for manipulating villains, including Kraven and the Lizard, often pitting them against Spider-Man and other heroes.

Fred Hechinger as Dmitri Smerdyakov, AKA Chameleon

Date of Birth: December 2, 1999

Fred Hechinger as Chameleon in Kraven the Hunter

Active Since: 2018

Actor: Fred Hechinger first garnered attention with his performance in Eighth Grade and has since taken on varied roles in films such as News of the World and The White Lotus. His versatility prepares him well for taking on the complex character of Dmitri Smerdyakov.

Notable Movies/TV Shows	Fred Hechinger’s Roles
Eighth Grade	Trevor
The White Lotus	Quinn Mossbacher
Fear Street Part One: 1994	Simon Kaldova
Nickel Boys	Harper

Character: In the film, Hechinger portrays Dmitri Smerdyakov, known as the Chameleon, who was Spider-Man’s first antagonist in the Marvel Comics universe. Their deep sibling rivalry, rooted in Dmitri’s mastery of disguise, propels the family’s complex dynamics forward, making for an engaging narrative in Kraven the Hunter.

Christopher Abbott as The Foreigner

Date of Birth: February 10, 1986

Active Since: 2008

Actor: Christopher Abbott introduced himself to audiences through roles in Martha Marcy May Marlene and continued to gain momentum with performances in A Most Violent Year and HBO’s Girls, where he captured attention in a significant recurring role.

Notable Movies/TV Shows	Christopher Abbott’s Roles
Girls	Charlie Dattolo
It Comes at Night	Will
Sanctuary	Matter
Poor Things	Alfie Blessington

Character: Abbott portrays The Foreigner, the principal antagonist in Kraven the Hunter. Originally introduced in 1986’s The Spectacular Spider-Man #116, The Foreigner has crossed paths with several characters in the Marvel universe and teams up with Rhino to confront Kraven in this film.

Alessandro Nivola as Aleksei Sytsevich, AKA The Rhino

Date of Birth: June 28, 1972

Alessandro Nivola as Rhino in Kraven the Hunter

Active Since: 1993

Actor: Starting his career with a notable part in Face/Off, Alessandro Nivola has since maintained a robust presence in cinema, appearing in films like American Hustle, The Neon Demon, and The Many Saints of Newark. His established acting prowess is a powerful asset to portraying Rhino’s often over-the-top character.

Notable Movies/TV Shows	Alessandro Nivola’s Roles
Face/Off	Pollux Troy
Selma	John Door
The Neon Demon	Robert Sarno
The Many Saints of Newark	Dickie Moltisanti

Character: Nivola takes on the role of Aleksei Sytsevich, known as Rhino, who is one of Spider-Man’s most infamous foes. Initially introduced as a petty criminal, he underwent experimental procedures to gain superhuman strength and rhino-like armor. In Kraven the Hunter, his character will navigate complex relationships, particularly with Nikolai Kravinoff.

Kraven the Hunter Supporting Cast and Characters

Levi Miller as Young Kraven in Kraven the Hunter

Levi Miller as Young Sergei Kravinoff: Portraying a younger version of Kraven, Miller is known for his role as Peter Pan in Pan and has also appeared in A Wrinkle in Time and Supergirl.

Yuri Kolokolnikov as Seymon Chorney: Kolokolnikov plays the character Seymon Chorney, a significant figure in the film that Kraven pursues. His previous work includes roles in Tenet and The Hitman’s Bodyguard.

Billy Barratt as Young Dmitri: Barratt portrays the younger version of Dmitri Smerdyakov, who will eventually become the Chameleon. His credits include Mary Poppins Returns and Blinded by the Light.

Diaana Babnicova as Young Calypso: Babnicova plays the young version of Calypso, showcasing her talent in various projects, including Don’t Breathe 2 and Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trout.

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