Kraven the Hunter unleashed: Sony’s ultimate Marvel warrior arrives.
Gill Pringle
STACK Writer
After a long wait, ‘Kraven the Hunter’ is finally available to own. The brutal new action flick from Sony’s Spider-man Universe stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Russell Crowe.
Kraven the Hunter - aka Sergei Kravinoff - is one of Spider-Man’s most intense and unique foes.
Unlike most villains, he doesn’t want wealth or power. Instead, he’s driven by a primal obsession to be the best hunter in the world - including taking down Spider-Man as his ultimate prize.
Kraven is a master tracker, hand-to-hand fighter, and survivalist. With enhanced physical abilities - thanks to a special serum that gives him the strength, speed, and endurance of a superhuman - he sees himself as a predator at the top of the food chain.
Intended as the sixth film in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU), the R-rated [US rating] action film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the title role with our own Russell Crowe portraying Kraven’s estranged father, Nikolai Kravinoff, a ruthless crime lord.
Father and son share a complex relationship. The way Kraven/Sergei was treated as a child sets him down a path of vengeance with brutal consequences, motivating him to become the greatest hunter in the world and one of its most feared.
According to sources, Sony had previously approached Brad Pitt, Keanu Reeves, John David Washington, and Adam Driver for the role, but decided upon Taylor-Johnson after seeing early footage of his performance in Bullet Train (2022).
One of the things that sets Kraven apart is his code of honour. He’s not a typical villain; he doesn’t even see himself as a bad guy. To him, hunting Spider-Man isn’t about malice, it’s about proving his strength and skill. In his mind, he’s adhering to a personal standard of warrior nobility, which means he doesn’t use guns or high-tech gadgets.
He prefers old-school, close quarters combat with his bare hands or basic weapons. This sense of honour sometimes even earns him a strange sort of respect from other heroes, and it also makes him unpredictable - he’ll sometimes team up with Spider-Man if it fits his agenda.
One of the most famous comic book stories featuring Kraven is Kraven’s Last Hunt, a dark tale where he actually defeats Spider-Man and temporarily takes on his identity. It’s one of the few stories that show a villain achieving their goal, which is rare in superhero comics.
In the end, Kraven realises that he’s proven all he needs to and lets Spider-Man live, but the victory leaves him feeling empty. This moment cements Kraven as more than just a villain - he’s a complex character haunted by his obsession. His blend of honour, obsession, and tragedy makes him one of the most memorable foes in Spider-Man’s world.
^Discounts apply to previous ticketed/advertised price prior to the discount offer. As we negotiate, products will likely have been sold below ticketed/advertised price prior to the discount offer. Prices may differ at airport stores.
