The director of Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s next Marvel feature Kraven the Hunter has hinted at an unexpected plot twist.
J.C. Chandor is directing the film, which stars Johnson as the burly anti-hero/supervillain (dealer’s choice) who was first introduced as one of Spider-Man’s numerous opponents.
However, in addition to the typical blood and gore of a movie based on a big-game hunter figure with beastly skills (there’s some neck tearing in the trailer), Chandor has now claimed Kraven the Hunter goes deeper into profound area, branding it a “tragedy.”
Kraven the Hunter will centre on the titular character, true name Sergei Kravinoff, and his mafia father (Russell Crowe).
It will also, as predicted, act as an origin narrative, taking place prior to Kraven’s initial encounter with Spider-Man and as he gains his powers.
‘Sony probably doesn’t want me to lead with this but the story is a tragedy,’ Chandor explained.
He added to Esquire: ‘When the final credits roll on this film, if you’ve been paying attention, you won’t have the feeling that this is all going to end great.’
The plot arc from J.M. DeMatteis’ comic book Kraven’s Last Hunt may potentially play a role in this ‘tragedy,’ according to the outlet.
Kraven takes on Spider-Man’s persona (and costume) after faking the webslinger’s death, eventually sparing his life in the climactic confrontation and afterwards shooting himself dead.
According to the team, Taylor-Johnson and Chandor’s approach to the film and its subject has been inspired by his tragic death.
Taylor-Johnson also revealed in the interview that he realised his costume was his’stomach and arms’ because he is shown as a large and often shirtless guy in the comic books, something the trailer has clearly highlighted.
The 33-year-old James Bond contender, who acted coy when approached with the claims, trained hard for months before shooting and weighed 200 pounds at his “supervillain peak.”
He also learnt how to run on all fours in order to appear like a hunter who used animal characteristics to effectively grab his prey.
The brutal action-packed film’s philosophy appears to be: ‘Villains aren’t born, they’re manufactured.’
The film also stars Ariana DeBose, Christopher Abbott, Alessandro Nivola, and Fred Hechinger.
Kraven the Hunter is set to hit UK cinemas on October 6.
