Report: Sony’s live-action ‘Spider-Man’ universe will introduce a surprising hero

Forget Iron Man, is it Morbin’ Time again?

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The story of Queens native Peter Parker and the timeless lesson that “with great power comes great responsibility” is well known. Numerous actors have brought New York City’s beloved neighborhood Spider-Man to life in various film adaptations, all inspired by the rich Marvel Comics legacy of visionaries Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.

The Spider-Man The film saga began with Tobey Maguire’s portrayal of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy that ran from 2002 to 2007 (and may return in the near future). Andrew Garfield then took over the role of the web-slinging hero in The Incredible Spiderman Series that began in 2012 and was followed by The Amazing Spider-Man 2 in 2014.

Led by Kevin Feige at Marvel Studios, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has a unique agreement with Sony, facilitated by parent company The Walt Disney Company.

Tom Holland portrays the latest version of Peter Parker, facing reimagined versions of classic characters like Aunt May, his crush MJ, his best friend Harry Osborn, and villains like the Green Goblin/Norman Osborn, Doc Ock/Doctor Octopus/Otto Octavius, and Wilson Fisk/Kingpin.

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Holland made his debut in the MCU of the Walt Disney Company’s Marvel Studios with Captain America: Civil War The solo film followed in 2016 Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017. Holland’s portrayal of Peter Parker is currently on hiatus, with Spider Man 4 is supposed to bring the hero back to the MCU after the mind-wiping events of Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021).

After the much meme-filled flop Morbius (2022) with Jared Leto as Michael M. Morbius and the financially disastrous Madame Web (2023), with fifty shades of grey With Dakota Johnson starring as Madame Web/Cassandra Webb/Cassie Webb as the franchise’s lead, Sony’s Spider-Man universe may finally have a clearer connection to Spidey.

Sony’s Spider-Man Universe Fate

According to a well-known anonymous source on Marvel Studios films, Cryptic HD QUALITY, it seems that a SSU film is finally being explicitly mentioned – in reference to the universe of the upcoming Sony Spider-Man Universe film. Kraven the Hunterwith Aaron Taylor Johnson as the eponymous Kraven/Sergei Kravinoff, directly into a Spider-Man.

Directed by JC Chandor, with a screenplay by Richard Wenk and writing team by Art Marcum and Matt Holloway.

Technically, both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker are technically in the SSU, but Sony has been careful to separate each film in its cinematic continuity and only hint that they are in the same (or similar) Spider-Man universe. For example, Madame WebCassie Webb is friends with the young Ben Parker, Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben.

When asked by fan Mark Butler on X/Twitter whether Spider-Man or Morbius would be in Kraventhe source replied:

Mark Butler: Will Spiderman and Morbius appear in Kraven?

@Cryptic4KQual: I heard Spider-Man is mentioned by name in it. But does he appear? Not sure… of either character.

I heard Spider-Man is mentioned by name in it. But does he appear? Not sure… of either character.

— Cryptic HD QUALITY (@Cryptic4KQual) June 29, 2024

With no other films set in the SSU currently known, it seems Sony is finally giving up on releasing Spider-Man style films without any risk or connection.

The studio’s two remaining SSU films, Venom: The Last Dance (2024), Also known as Poison 3Premiere on October 25, and Kraven the Hunter, The December 13, 2024 release could be Sony’s chance to finally give its fans what they want until the inevitable push for the Marvel Studios joint venture comes. Spider Man 4 with Tom Holland in the leading role.

Who will play the main role in Kraven the Hunter?

So if Spider-Man is finally mentioned in SSU according to this report, who else is confirmed for the upcoming film?

Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Sergei Kravinoff/Kraven

The first place on this list goes without saying with this great spectacle in the style of “action movies”.

Sergei Kravinoff, also known as Kraven the Hunter, is a big game hunter from Marvel Comics’ Spider-Man gallery. Although originally from Marvel Comics, he is one of the original members of the Sinister Six and is hell-bent on hunting Spider-Man to prove he is the best hunter in the world.

In the comics, Kraven frequently hunts Black Panther and Tigra, but this version will take a slightly different turn, as the character has been described by Taylor-Johnson himself as an environmentalist, “protector of the natural world” and “animal lover.” Levi Miller will portray a young Sergei.

Ariana DeBose as Calypso

Fresh from her appearance in the 2021 Steven Spielberg film West Side StoryDeBose also recently portrayed Asha in Disney’s Wish (2023).

Here, straight from the Marvel comic world, Calypso will also be a voodoo priestess and a love interest for Kraven.

Fred Hechinger as Dmitri Smerdyakov/Chameleon

Kraven’s estranged half-brother who is a master of disguise.

The Chameleon, real name Dmitri Smerdyakov, is one of Spider-Man’s earliest and most persistent enemies in Marvel Comics. The half-brother of Sergei Kravinoff, also known as Kraven the Hunter, Dmitri’s abilities stem from his expertise in identity impersonation, where he uses advanced technology, makeup, and costumes to impersonate anyone. Over time, he gains the ability to change his appearance at will through genetic manipulation.

In the comics, the Chameleon is the reason for Kraven’s obsession with finally hunting Spider-Man.

Alessandro Nivola as Aleksei Sytsevich/Rhino

A Russian mercenary who can transform into a human-rhino hybrid.

Marvel fans may remember another version of Marvel Comics’ Rhino – In director Marc Webb’s Amazing Spider-Man 2, the character Aleksei Sytsevich, also known as Rhino, was portrayed by Paul Giamatti. In this film, Aleksei Sytsevich is first introduced as a Russian gangster and later dons a mechanical suit and transforms into Rhino. The character is portrayed as a fearsome, if somewhat comical, villain who poses a significant threat to Spider-Man.

Christopher Abbott as the foreigner

Known for his exceptional fighting skills and his hypnotic ability to appear faster than the eye can follow, the Foreigner remains an enigmatic figure with an unknown real name. He has a complex relationship with Silver Sable and frequently clashes with Spider-Man.

Russell Crowe as Nikolai Kravinoff

Nikolai Kravinoff is a central character in Marvel Comics, known as the father of Sergei Kravinoff (Kraven the Hunter) and Dmitri Smerdyakov (the Chameleon). His strict and often abusive upbringing greatly shaped his sons’ paths as villains, contributing to Sergei’s obsession with hunting and Dmitri’s mental health issues. Although Nikolai appears primarily in flashbacks or pre-story-centric issues, his character is essential to understanding the complexities of Kraven and the Chameleon.

Who are you most looking forward to seeing? Kraven the Hunter? Will you be watching in theaters? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!