Sony Pictures started the year with Madame Web, one of the most absurd Marvel projects in recent memory, and now looks to end 2024 with Kraven the Hunter following the poor reception to Venom: The Last Dance this past October. However, Kraven seems to be charting its own course with a hard "R" MPAA rating, as evident from the violent red-band trailer. Detailing the rise of the infamous Spider-Man villain, the titular character is played with precise ferocity by Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
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Taylor-Johnson is no stranger to comic book films, previously portraying Quicksilver in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movie Avengers: Age of Ultron. The actor's blockbuster presence has led to a myriad of fan castings, one of which has remained consistent in recent years is James Bond. The iconic 007 film series recently ended the tenure of Daniel Craig's iteration of the spy in 2021 with the Cary Fukunaga-directed No Time to Die. With Craig's time as Bond officially over, there have been rampant rumors and speculation about who should play the next 007, and Taylor-Johnson's name has come up more than once.
In an interview with ComicBook, Taylor-Johnson was asked if the role of James Bond was something in the cards for the actor. Rather than answering directly, the actor instead compared his upcoming comic book film to something along the lines of a Bond adventure:
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"I think, you know, if that's the thing you're really into [Bond] and that's the kind of movie you love, then you should come see this movie [ Kraven the Hunter ] because the action in this is insane and super exciting. So, yeah, honestly, I don't think it would disappoint."
'Kraven the Hunter' is Like James Bond, Only More Violent
While Aaron Taylor-Johnson is correct in that James Bond films are usually filled with over-the-top exciting action, not too dissimilar to his upcoming Marvel film, there's also a critical difference. Just from the initial trailers alone, Kraven the Hunter is filled with plenty of blood and gore that viewers wouldn't expect from something like Casino Royale. Still, between this latest leading role for the actor and his other recent venture in David Leitch's Bullet Train, it's clear that the actor has what it takes to play the iconic MI6 agent. Bond, specifically Craig's interpretation of the character, has been equal parts graceful and brutal, something that Taylor-Johnson has shown to be capable of, especially in the marketing for Kraven the Hunter.
✕ Remove Ads Related Wait, Sony pushed back Paddington for Kraven The Hunter? What a travesty.
Every single time a Paddington movie comes out, the release date is delayed substantially for American audiences. November '14 for the first one in the UK (as opposed to January '14 in the US). November '17 for the second entry in the UK (as opposed to January '18 in the US) and finally, Paddington In Peru is slated once again for November 8th, '24 in the UK, while in America - the film will come out on January 17th instead.Paddington is made by Columbia Pictures (a division of Sony). Was the children's movie pushed back because of Kraven The Hunter (releasing on December 13?) Does Sony really think Kraven The Hunter can make more money than Paddington? I know it sounds ridiculous, but look at the box office that Paddington pulls in, and you tell me. Reply to me in the comments and let's get to the bottom of this.
While the actor's lack of an answer about approaching the role is interesting in and of itself, it remains to be seen what direction the team behind the next 007 film wants to take with the character. The news of a recent casting update has provided a small glimpse into what fans can expect, as well as plenty of options and talent who could take on the role. For now, fans will have to tide themselves over with Kraven the Hunter, which has all the thrills and action one could want.
Kraven the Hunter
Kraven the Hunter is the fourth movie in Sony's Spider-Man Universe, set in the same Marvel continuity as Tom Hardy's Venom and Jared Leto's Morbius. Played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, the titular Kraven goes on a solo adventure as an anti-hero, this time independent of his comic book counterpart's crusade to hunt down Peter Parker.
Release Date December 13, 2024 Director J.C. Chandor Main Genre Action ✕ Remove Ads
