Marvel’s 2024 Riskiest Movie Might Bring My Favorite Spider-Man Story to the Big Screen After 47 Years

Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe have longed for the adaptation of iconic Spider-Man stories, and the upcoming Kraven the Hunter film could pave the way for this to finally come to fruition. While I’ve found enjoyment in Sony’s Venom films, they fall short of being exceptional in quality. In contrast, offerings like Madame Web and Morbius scored even lower on the cinematic totem pole due to numerous storytelling flaws, unengaging characters, weak villains, and subpar audio issues. It’s evident that Sony’s Spider-Man Universe has had a troubled path.

This string of poorly received films has translated to disappointing box office returns, prompting an imminent conclusion for Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Kraven the Hunter being poised as its final installment. Current forecasts for box office performance are not encouraging, suggesting it may struggle at the box office. Nevertheless, I hold out hope that even if the film doesn’t succeed commercially, Taylor-Johnson’s portrayal of Kraven could lead to traversing the multiverse and a venture into the MCU. As the narrative for Spider-Man 4 is already in place, there’s a possibility that Kraven the Hunter could set the stage for my favorite Spider-Man saga in the future.

Potential of Kraven The Hunter to Elicit My Favorite Spider-Man Narrative

Vision from the Director and Actor

In a recent interview with Collider, director J.C. Chandor divulged his and Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s aspirations for translating my preferred Spider-Man story into live-action should their film achieve success. Chandor articulates that Kraven the Hunter functions not just as an origin tale for the character, but rather as a foundation for his evolution. He characterizes it as a “building of a villain,”with the ultimate goal being to set the stage for the iconic Kraven’s Last Hunt.

“As crazy as it seemed, and there were a lot of challenges, there was the opportunity to structure it as a classic origin story, but not a hero’s story, or a classic superhero story. It’s essentially this building of a villain. The final piece in that, for Aaron and for me, was in Kraven’s Last Hunt, which, if this thing works and is a success, that’s where we’d have this story end. It’s obviously very tragic and sad. The journey getting there is a wild crazy ride with a lot of fun, but the character we’re trying to create is one who could realistically, if this film is a success, end with Last Hunt.

In order to realize this vision, Chandor and Taylor-Johnson are working to craft a believable version of Kraven that can seamlessly integrate into the framework of Kraven’s Last Hunt. However, Chandor admits that the success of Kraven the Hunter is a prerequisite for the adaptation of this storyline into live action. Admittedly, the prospects for Kraven at the box office seem lackluster, but I still hope that if audiences respond positively to Taylor-Johnson’s portrayal, we might see Kraven’s Last Hunt adapted through a multiversal lens in future Spider-Man narratives.

Understanding Marvel Comics’ Kraven’s Last Hunt

A Deeper Look at the Story’s Darkness

Marvel boasts numerous exhilarating narratives, yet “Kraven’s Last Hunt”resonated with me on a profound level, particularly due to its emotional weight and brutality. This infamous tale documents Kraven’s determination to finally vanquish Spider-Man, aiming to succeed where he previously faltered. Kraven is hell-bent on completing the hunt he once failed.

MCU Spider-Man Films	Release Year
Spider-Man: Homecoming	2017
Spider-Man: Far From Home	2019
Spider-Man: No Way Home	2021
Spider-Man 4	2026

In a climactic confrontation, Kraven manages to shoot Spider-Man, or at least he believes he does, before burying him. Subsequently, he adopts Spider-Man’s guise and embarks on a brutal campaign against criminals, demonstrating his superiority by capturing the villain Vermin, whom even Captain America struggled to defeat. Ultimately, the aging Kraven finds himself devoid of purpose, leading to a tragic conclusion as he takes his own life, leaving behind a confession to the authorities.

Why Kraven’s Last Hunt Resonates with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man

The MCU’s Spider-Man is Transitioning to Darker Themes

Seeing a live-action adaptation of “Kraven’s Last Hunt”featuring Tom Holland’s Spider-Man would be thrilling. This storyline unfolds after Spider-Man sheds the symbiote suit, aligning perfectly for a potential adaptation in Spider-Man 5, considering the leftover symbiote matter that could attach to Peter Parker in either Spider-Man 4 or an upcoming Avengers film. The events from Spider-Man: No Way Home indeed set the stage for a mature evolution in Holland’s portrayal of Spider-Man, echoing the themes present in “Kraven’s Last Hunt.”

With Peter Parker now forgotten and grappling with the loss of Aunt May, he stands vulnerable against Kraven the Hunter’s pursuits. Should Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Kraven cross into the MCU, the odds of him targeting Spider-Man for his ultimate hunt are high. As a mature Spider-Man, Holland’s character can explore deeper, darker narratives, making “Kraven’s Last Hunt”an opportune fit for his arc going forward. As we await the results of Kraven the Hunter, I remain hopeful for Taylor-Johnson’s impact on the portrayal of this pivotal character.

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