Sony’s Forbidden Fruit: Kraven the Hunter Almost Had His Debut
Tom Holland’s Spider-Man has had no shortage of challenges or villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). His journey from “Spider-Man: Homecoming” to “Spider-Man: No Way Home” has been fraught with names like Vulture, Mysterio, and even multiverse heavy-hitters like Green Goblin and Doc Ock. Yet, a new revelation indicates that one key character was initially intended to be Holland’s next nemesis: Kraven the Hunter.
“The new MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios book has revealed that Sony blocked Spider-Man: No Way Home from using Kraven the Hunter.”
The writing duo of Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers had their eyes set on Kraven, but Sony had other plans. Why? Because Kraven “was unavailable until Sony established him in a solo movie.” And that solo movie is none other than the delayed “Kraven the Hunter,” starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
The Perfect Setup: “Kraven’s Last Hunt”
Sony’s decision to withhold Kraven might have been a blessing in disguise. The conclusion of “Spider-Man: No Way Home” has masterfully teed up the iconic “Kraven’s Last Hunt” storyline from the comics for Spider-Man 4.
“Spider-Man: No Way Home ended with Doctor Strange conjuring a spell that made everyone forget who Peter Parker was.”
This leaves Holland’s Peter Parker alone and vulnerable—just the perfect situation for Kraven to seize the opportunity. In the original “Kraven’s Last Hunt,” the villain does something extraordinary; he captures and buries Spider-Man alive, taking his place to prove he’s the superior hero. The storyline resonates well with the solitude and vulnerability Peter is left with, making it the right time for Kraven to step into the limelight.
MCU and Sony Spider-Verse: A Crossover We Deserve
There’s a golden chance here for Sony and Marvel to finally, fully integrate their universes, particularly with the upcoming “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” and “Avengers: Secret Wars” likely wrapping up the MCU’s Multiverse Saga.
“Two upcoming MCU Phase 6 movies, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, will be bringing the MCU’s Multiverse Saga to an end.”
Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Kraven could serve as the perfect bridge between the MCU and Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU), taking advantage of the closing multiverse window. A Kraven appearance would be a compelling nod to the villain originally planned for “No Way Home,” and could lead to a darker, more intense “Spider-Man 4.”
Time to Unearth a New Villain
The stage seems perfectly set for Kraven the Hunter to make his grand entrance in the MCU with “Spider-Man 4.” With Peter Parker’s identity a secret once again, and a multiverse slowly closing its doors, the stage is set for a villain who can truly test Spider-Man in new, psychologically complex ways. It’s high time that Kraven steps out of the shadows to hunt the most challenging prey of his life—Spider-Man.
So there you have it, folks. Tom Holland‘s next adventure could bring him face to face with a villain who has been waiting in the wings, setting the stage for a potential crossover epic between the MCU and the SSU. Buckle up, because if Kraven the Hunter gets unleashed in “Spider-Man 4,” it’s going to be a wild ride.
