There was a way that Sony could’ve madeKraven the Huntermore interesting that would’ve been a completely bizarre fix, but I believe it would’ve worked.Sony’s Spider-Man universehas had a big year in terms of the number of films, withMadame Web,Venom: The Last Dance,andKraven the Hunterall released this year. However, all of the films were far from box office success and received mixed to poor reviews from critics. Just days beforeKraven’s release, it was announced thatSony would stop producing films in the Spider-Manuniversefor now.
Sony’s decision means thatMadame WebandKraven the Hunterwill likely not be getting the sequels that both films were clearly setting up.It’s a shame thatKravenbombed so hardas it was a promising concept with some positive qualities, but it felt like it was always destined for failure as part of the Sony universe. However, there’s one whacky direction that I think Sony could have taken the movie in, and it would’ve made it a much more intriguing film than it ended up being.
Placing Kraven The Hunter In Sony’s Spider-Man Noir Show Setting Could Have Been Enough To Save It
The Outrageous Idea Would’ve Set The Film Apart
Although Sony won’t be producing any moreSpider-Manfilms,they are still going ahead with theSpider-Noirshowthat will be part of the same universe. Nicolas Cage is playing Spider-Man Noir again, though it’s a completely different version of the character than the one he voiced inInto the Spider-Verse. The show will be set in 1930s New York, following Spider-Man Noir as he deals with being the only superhero in the city. All of this has no current relation to Kraven, but I believe that putting Kraven in the same setting would’ve been enough to save the movie.
Kraven The Hunter Continues The Trend That Has Ruined Every Sony Spider-Man Universe Movie
The Sony Spider-Man Universe has struggled to produce a coherent and good movie since it began, but Kraven the hunter highlights what went wrong.
It’s definitely an outrageous idea, but the SSU could’ve afforded to take the risk. The franchise has already been teased by critics and fans alike about its ridiculous writing and questionable artistic choices. Putting Kraven in 1930s New York would be a jarring decision, but it would’ve at least provideda fun and fresh idea that the finalKraven the Huntermovie so desperately needed. It also would’ve served as a better connector toSpider-Noir, so that the series doesn’t feel completely isolated in the SSU.
Setting Up A Kraven The Hunter Vs Spider-Man Noir Fight Would’ve Finally Made Good On A Years-Long Sony Promise
The SSU Suffered From A Lack Of Overarching Stakes
Putting Kraven in Spider-Man Noir’s universe might’ve been enough to save the SSU. Following a version of Sergei Kravinoff in the 1930s could’ve set up a potential villain for Spider-Man Noir to face in his series. In the comics, the whole point of Kraven’s character is thathe wants to beat his nemesis Spider-Manso that he can prove that he is the world’s best hunter. Sony isn’t allowed to depict Spider-Man in a way that doesn’t line up with the MCU’s portrayal, but the hero was still referenced throughoutKraven the Hunter, albeit in a ridiculous way.
The film’s biggest inference that Kraven would end up facing Spider-Man at some point was when The Foreigner used Sergei’s biggest fear against him: spiders. It was a confusing moment that many still don’t know how to interpret, but Sony could’ve saved the hassle by using theSpider-Noiridea. Having Kraven exist in Spider-Man Noir’s 1930s New York City would’ve set up a fight against a version of Spider-Man that Sony is actually allowed to use, andprobably would’ve given people actual excitement about the overarching SSU.
Spider-Man Noir Could Still Bring Kraven Into Its Story
There’s Still Room For The Spider-Noir Cast To Grow
Though it’s too late to saveKraven the Hunternow, Sergei can still be used in Spider-Man Noir’s story. Not all ofthe characters that will appear inSpider-Noirhave been confirmed yet, but Sergei would’ve been a perfect villain for Spider-Man Noir to fight regardless. Kraven has always leaned more on the villainous side because of his methods, andhe’s a more grounded criminal for Spider-Man Noir to battlecompared to some major extraterrestrial threat.
If Kraven does end up being inSpider-Noir, it would have to be a different version than Aaron Taylor Johnson’s from the film. The movie clearly set him in the modern day and although the SSU has been no stranger to confusing plot continuations, seeing the Kraven we already know suddenly appear in the past would be too much. The idea may be completely bizarre, but I believe it’s the fresh edge thatKraven the Hunterdesperately needed to engage audiences at all.
