Marvel’s $61M Box Office Flop Becomes a Netflix Success: Ideal Ways for the Hero’s Return in the MCU

Kraven the Hunter may not have achieved box office success, but this film centered around a notorious Spider-Man adversary could potentially offer exciting possibilities for the future of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man franchise. As a supporter of Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Marvel roles—especially as Quicksilver in Avengers: Age of Ultron—I found his character painfully underutilized, notably given his demise within the same film. However, Kraven the Hunter provided Taylor-Johnson with an opportunity to extend his talents in a leading role, showcasing his abilities even amidst the film’s shortcomings.

Despite the film receiving mixed reviews, I argue it contains some of the most impressive action sequences in the superhero genre. The darker aspects of Kraven’s character, coupled with the film’s R rating, contribute to a more intense viewing experience. While the narrative may not have captivated audiences entirely, I found myself eager for more of Taylor-Johnson’s interpretation of this anti-hero by the film’s conclusion. Unfortunately, Kraven the Hunter grossed merely $61.9 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. Nonetheless, the film has found a second life on Netflix, possibly paving the way for a crossover into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Kraven the Hunter Was Considered for Spider-Man: No Way Home

The MCU Has Already Explored Kraven

Tom Holland’s third installment, Spider-Man: No Way Home, stands out as the most ambitious Spider-Man project to date. As the production team orchestrated a multiverse storyline, they explored various concepts before landing on the triumphant returns of Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire’s versions of Spider-Man. However, there was a notable restriction in the inclusion of Kraven the Hunter due to Sony’s reservation of the character.

According to the book The MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios, writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers disclosed that they had been informed Kraven was “unavailable until Sony established him in a solo movie.”This solo endeavor would indeed come to fruition in Taylor-Johnson’s portrayal of the character. Holland also mentioned that director Jon Watts had previously envisioned a Kraven-centered plot, indicating that there has long been interest in incorporating the character into Holland’s Spider-Man narrative.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Ideal Kraven Story

The MCU’s Spider-Man Needs a Street-Level Narrative

With the MCU considering Kraven the Hunter as a villain, there is great anticipation for Taylor-Johnson to reprise his role. The actor has expressed interest in adapting the renowned storyline of Kraven’s Last Hunt for a live-action rendition. In a recent chat with Esquire, he articulated how he believes this narrative could provide a profound exploration of Kraven. In this story, an aging Kraven grapples with disillusionment and depression, seeking to prove his superiority over Spider-Man before his death, ultimately leading to a tragic conclusion.

Why Kraven’s Last Hunt is Ideal for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man

The MCU’s Direction for Holland’s Next Trilogy

At CinemaCon this year, Sony announced the title for Tom Holland’s upcoming Spider-Man film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, suggesting a thematic reset and introducing new villains as well as characters into Peter Parker’s world. Since Kraven has yet to make an appearance in the MCU, his introduction would align seamlessly with this new phase. Moreover, the darker narrative surrounding Kraven also reflects the emerging tone of the franchise following No Way Home.

Holland’s portrayal of Peter Parker shifts towards a more solitary and darker storyline, making it an appropriate moment to draw from Kraven’s Last Hunt as the foundation for a new Spider-Man movie. While some may wonder how Taylor-Johnson could portray both Quicksilver and Kraven, the established concept of the Multiverse Saga offers a plausible means for him to explore this new dimension of his character, potentially weaving his story from the SSU into the MCU as part of the upcoming Avengers narrative.

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