Kraven's Last Hunt: Can the Marvel Flop Find Redemption in the MCU?

Despite its initial box office struggles, *Kraven the Hunter* is finding an audience on Netflix, sparking renewed interest in the character. While Sony focuses on Spider-Man projects, there's a compelling way for Kraven to enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU): adapting the iconic "Kraven's Last Hunt" storyline.

Kraven's Last Hunt: A Classic Spider-Man Story "Kraven's Last Hunt," a celebrated Spider-Man arc from 1987, delves into Kraven's confrontation with his own mortality and his obsession with defeating Spider-Man. The story sees Kraven seemingly triumphing by burying Spider-Man alive and assuming his identity, ultimately leading to Kraven's suicide after proving his superiority.

The storyline's complex themes and striking visuals have cemented its place as a fan favorite. This narrative served as a major influence on the *Kraven the Hunter* film, aiming to present a more nuanced portrayal of the character. Director J.C. Chandor even expressed interest in adapting "Kraven's Last Hunt" for a potential sequel. However, the movie's poor reception altered those plans. Could 'Avengers: Secret Wars' Offer a Second Chance?

The upcoming *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Avengers: Secret Wars* events, set to conclude the MCU's Multiverse Saga, present a unique opportunity. With *Avengers: Doomsday* already incorporating characters from previous X-Men films, the possibility of integrating characters from Sony's Spider-Man Universe shouldn't be dismissed. *Avengers: Secret Wars* could potentially reboot the MCU, potentially bringing in characters from pre-MCU movies. Kraven could be one of them, giving Aaron Taylor-Johnson the chance to fully realize "Kraven's Last Hunt" on screen.

Past Attempts and Future Possibilities Numerous attempts have been made to include Kraven in Spider-Man films. Sam Raimi considered him for *Spider-Man 4*, and he was slated to appear in a *Sinister Six* movie. Even within the MCU, Jon Watts pitched a Spider-Man versus Kraven storyline that evolved into *Spider-Man: No Way Home*, and Ryan Coogler wanted to use Kraven in *Black Panther* before learning Sony held the rights. Whether the MCU reboots or not, the groundwork exists for Kraven's appearance, possibly starting with *Spider-Man: Brand New Day*. This "fresh start" for Tom Holland's Peter Parker could introduce new villains, including Kraven, especially given Peter's public perception as a "threat" fueled by J. Jonah Jameson. This creates the perfect scenario for Kraven to begin his hunt.