Sony Pictures is moving full steam ahead with its Spider-Man Universe after the record-breaking run for Spider-Man: No Way Home. Already having two Venom movies in the books and Morbius on the way, the studio is also actively developing a Kraven the Hunter solo movie. MCU veteran Aaron Taylor-Johnson is set to play the leading role as Sony moves further into development.
Kraven the Hunter is still shrouded in plenty of mystery less than a year before its debut, although Sony is working diligently to bring this classic villain to life in its overarching story. Sony is rumored to start filming this new solo movie any day, and the team is bringing together an all-star cast alongside Taylor-Johnson in his new leading role.
Russell Crowe will join the former Quicksilver actor in this outing after first playing Superman's father, Jor-El, in Man of Steel, which also adds to his superhero resume along with his role in 2022's Thor: Love and Thunder. Now, the two have another major player in the cast alongside them, one who will bring a classic Spidey villain into the fray for Kraven to face.
Kraven Gets New Cast Member
Deadline revealed that White Lotus star Fred Hechinger will play the Chameleon in Sony Pictures' Kraven the Hunter, which is set for release on January 13, 2023.
Hechinger joins Aaron Taylor-Johnson's Kraven and Russell Crowe, who may be portraying Kraven's father, for the solo film. The new star will reportedly play Kraven's brother in the movie.
Spider-Man's First Villain Facing Kraven
No Spider-Man villain has a longer history in Marvel Comics than Dmitri Smerdyakov, better known as the Chameleon. This antagonist was Spidey's first-ever antagonist in his debut issue of the comics, with the ability to change his appearance at will to nearly anything he wants.
Now that Hechinger will be the one portraying this iconic villain, excitement is beginning to build for what this intriguing solo movie will have in store.
Hechinger recently made his name on the widely-acclaimed The White Lotus before joining MCU star Sebastian Stan in the ongoing Pam & Tommy on Hulu. Now, this comes as arguably the biggest role of his young career as he gets to join Taylor-Johnson and Crowe in Sony's latest addition to its Spider-Man story.
The brotherly connection to Taylor-Johnson's Kraven will add a new dynamic to the character, particularly with the two likely going head to head as the plot progresses. How the Chameleon enters the fray is still a mystery, but now that Hechinger has joined the cast, more information on the matter should come soon.
Kraven the Hunter is set to arrive in theaters on January 13, 2023.
