[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”27699″ img_size=”900×834″ alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]With the box office success of Venom and Morbius the Living Vampire in production, it was only natural for talk to begin about what’s next for Sony. In fact, it is also the question being asked for the next MCU/Sony Spider–Man film. In both cases, the same name has been mentioned: Kraven the Hunter.
Brief History of Kraven
Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, Kraven (Sergei Kravinoff) made his first appearance in Amazing Spider-Man#15. He appeared in various subsequent issues but his real step up into the comic mainstream was in the story “Kraven’s Last Hunt.” Written by J.M. DeMatteis and pencilled by Mike Zeck, it became the quintessential Kraven/Spider-Man tale and a fan favorite. Whenever there is a discussion about which Spider-Man Story fans would like to see adapted, it generally comes back to Kraven’s Last Hunt.
In fact, Sony has already made preliminary steps toward a possible stand-alone Kraven film by hiring Equalizer screenwriter Richard Wrenk to write the screenplay. Of course, he has already talked about a possible adaptation of the seminal Kraven story. In addition, Spider–Man: Far from Home Director Jon Watts teased that he also would like to have Kraven in a possible follow up to his film.
J.M. DeMatteis talks Kraven film
With all the discussions about Kraven, we recently talked to the man who knows Kraven’s Last Hunt best, writer J.M. DeMatteis. We asked him if he would like to get involved in a possible adaptation of his story.
Oh, in a heartbeat. Of course I would. I would be thrilled. But I’ve always maintained that the best way to do Kraven’s Last Hunt is probably in an animated version. I have written a bunch of the DC animated movies. The most recent one was Constantine and they just announced Superman Red Son which will be out next year. I think that would be a great way to do this story.
As much as J.M. would love to see it, he did have reservations about how it would be done in the current Sony/Marvel setup with Spider-Man. Starting with how could Sony could do Kraven’s Last Hunt without Spider-Man? Seeing as how Marvel is using him as of now.
The problem I foresee is the lead character, your lead actor is buried alive for a good chunk of the movie. The focus shifts from him, to Kraven. And they pay these guys a lot of money and actors have a lot of ego. So you would be telling your star, you’re in the movie but for a third of it, we really won’t be seeing much of you. It would become the other guy’s (Kraven) movie. That’s why I believe an animated version would be the way to go.
But, if they want to do a Kraven’s Last Hunt movie, they would almost HAVE to do it as a stand alone film because Marvel’s Spider-Man is too young. He is supposed to be around 17? For this story to really work, you need a more mature Peter Parker. You need that connection to Mary Jane. Ideally you need the marriage. Because that is his whole motivation for coming back and coming back out of the grave, is his love for Mary Jane. But I would love to be involved. Why wouldn’t I? It would be great.
Casting Kraven
As for who he could see as playing Kraven, J.M. admitted he isn’t the best person to ask as everyone he would think of would be too old to play the part. (I’m in that same boat, J.M.) I did mention to him that Deadpool actor Stefan Kapičić who played Colossus expressed an interest.
That would be an interesting choice. You need someone who would look the part, who would have that build. And at the same time you need someone who is really an actor. Someone who can really deliver the goods emotionally. Because Kraven is a very, very complex guy. So you can’t have some muscle man who can’t act to play him. Otherwise the whole story would collapse.
Do you agree with J.M. that an animated version might be the way to go for Kraven’s Last Hunt? Especially if the Spider-Man usage is in question? If it becomes a live action Spider-Man/Kraven story, who can manage the build and the acting chops to pull it off as Kraven. Especially if they were to go the Kraven’s Last Hunt direction. Share your thoughts with us at GeekVibesNation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
