Just two months away fromKraven the Hunter’s release, new footage atNew York Comic Conoffers insight into a dark and gory world. Thenext iteration of the SonySpider-Manuniversewill follow the villainousKraven (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), who is on a stark mission to become the world’s greatest hunterwhile preserving the environment. The R-rated superhero movie is currently set to be released on December 13.
At Sony’s NYCC panel, whereScreen Rantwas in attendance, a clip fromKraven the Hunterrevealed a first look at the brutal violence. While the footage has not been released to the public, the movie’s opening scene shows the titular character on a Russian transport when they stop for a bathroom break. At one point, the guards see him standing in the snow and comment that he wouldn’t last if he tried to escape, saying, “the wolves would eat you alive.”
He then goes through the intake at the prison, gets assigned a roommate, and says he doesn’t like roommates. Kraven responds that he will be released in three days, and if not, he’ll give him the best shot at killing him. The next day, Kraven is working out when two prisoners approach him. He is eventually brought to meet “the boss,” who’s an arms dealer, while Johnson’s character shares that he’s a hunter. When asked what he hunts, Kraven responds, “People like you.” He then kills the two lackeys and the boss before eventually escaping the prison with his powers.
In another short clip later in the movie, there are more brutal kills. While in the woods, a convoy is attacked by a wild cat. Kraven’s armory is shown and he gears up.Enemies are split in half, impaled by fangs, and embedded with spikes, while Kraven runs through a forest.
What The Gory Footage Means For Kraven The Hunter
The Footage Will Set Kraven Apart From Other Superhero Movies
Extremely violent superhero movies have been on the rise in recent years. After all, theR-ratedDeadpool & Wolverinehas earned over $1.3 billion, despite opening with the desecration of a deceased body.Kraven the Hunters’s success will lie in its ability to showcase that brutality alongside whetherVenom: The Last Dancecould redeem Sony’s universe. So far, the footage delivers on the gore and violence and showcases a charisma that makes the character stand out.
Sony has recently faced major disappointment with this universe, after the failure ofMadame Web(2024).
Kravenwill be able to capitalize on the success of other R-rated movies. Though it will not have the name recognition ofDeadpoolorWolverine,a marketing campaign focusing on its brutality could draw interest.Unfortunately, the final 2024 Sony movie has already finished releasing trailers, so there will not be many more opportunities to showcaseKraven’s relatively unknown cast of characters.
Our Take On Kraven The Hunter’s Brutality
MorbiusandMadame Webboth failedto make much of a positive impact on audiences, butKraven the Hunterhas the chance to rebuild Sony’s shaky universe. Though it has struggled to set itself apart recently, the supervillain universe needs someone to stand out as a lasting and unique character. If this movie can stand out with the help of stunning set pieces and action scenes,it could secure a lasting place in an otherwise collapsing franchise.Kraven the Hunterneeds to succeed, but if it fails, Sony may very well be out of options.
Kraven the Hunter
Cast
Kraven the Hunter explores the origin story of Sergei Kravinoff, known as Kraven, as he navigates his tumultuous relationship with his father, Nikolai. This path of vengeance sets Kraven on a journey to become a formidable hunter with a reputation for fearsome brutality.
