Kraven the Hunter is one of Spider-Man's most popular villains, so it obviously makes perfect sense to give him a solo outing rather than pitting him against Peter Parker...right?
Sony is gonna Sony, and Kraven the Hunter is coming to theaters next year.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson will play the title character, while an impressive ensemble has been assembled that includes Russell Crowe, Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, and Alessandro Nivola. The latter is expected to play The Foreigner, and he shared some intriguing new intel during a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
"These movies all have a certain formula to them, but J.C. said that he wanted to shoot all on location," he started, doubling down on what other cast members have said. "The physical ability of the characters in the movie is also more grounded in reality. People aren’t flying around or anything. J.C. described it as the most incredible Olympic athlete you’ve ever seen."
"Moreover, the role, which I’m not yet allowed to disclose, was just a real acting opportunity for me. You’ll see. It’s just a great character part, and I didn’t have to do any CGI," Nivola continued. "I didn’t have to do any green screen. I only transform, physically, in the final moments of the movie, so it’s just a classic villain role."
As far as we're aware, The Foreigner has never physically transformed in the comic books, and it sounds like we're getting a standard final battle between a powered-up Kraven and this villain. That lines up with what we've already seen in movies like Venom and Morbius, though it does sound like Nivola will have a lot to do throughout the movie.
Later in the same interview, he would add that "the movie has a time jump in it," confirming that we'll get to see Kraven's story play out over several years.
Kraven the Hunter is set to be released in theaters on January 13, 2023.