Spider-Man 3: Kraven Is Less Likely To Be The Villain Now

Recent news regarding Spider-Man 3 casts doubt on the idea that Kraven the Hunter will be the movie’s main villain. For a long time, the prevailing theory about the identity of Spider-Man’s next opponent in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is that the character would be Kraven, a key Marvel Comics villain.

The movies have already utilized most of the biggest names in his rogues’ gallery, including Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, the Lizard, Sandman, Venom, Vulture, and now Mysterio. Arguably the most important adversary of Spider-Man that hasn’t been on the big screen yet is Kraven the Hunter, a character whose name is often brought up in discussions about Spider-Man 3’s villain. Jon Watts, who will be directing the movie, has already expressed interest in using Kraven, which has further fueled the rumors that Marvel may sent Kraven on the hunt for the wallcrawler in Spider-Man’s next solo outing.

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For over a year now, Kraven the Hunter has remained a heavy favorite for Spider-Man 3’s villain, but recent developments about the movie’s cast make his inclusion less likely. The Amazing Spider-Man 2’s Electro (Jamie Foxx) and Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange are joining the movie. What the presence of both characters says about the story is that Spider-Man 3 will involve the multiverse. Since The Amazing Spider-Man movies aren’t in-canon with the MCU, it could be that Marvel is about to establish that its world is a separate reality in Marvel’s multiverse. If so, Jamie Foxx’s Electro and other interdimensional foes could cross over and fight Spider-Man (Tom Holland), who may have no choice but to rely on Doctor Strange for help.

When Spider-Man: Far from Home’s post-credits scene put Peter Parker on the run with nowhere to go, it felt like the MCU was delivering the perfect setup for a Kraven story, but he no longer seems like the best fit. While Kraven would be the right antagonist for a more grounded Spider-Man movie that involves the titular character fighting for his life against a relentless opponent, Marvel is apparently thinking much bigger with Spider-Man 3. If the plan is for the movie to incorporate Doctor Strange and alternate timelines, Spider-Man is likely dealing with an enemy that threatens the Earth or perhaps their entire reality.

A story on such a grand scale is above what Kraven can offer as the main villain. There’s no mistaking that he would provide a fascinating challenge for Spider-Man on a personal level, but he wouldn’t be someone whose power calls for a team-up with Doctor Strange. Of course, Spider-Man 3 could still utilize Kraven as a secondary villain who hunts him down at some point in the story, but this would feel like a waste of his potential. It would be a mistake for Marvel to make Kraven anything less than the main antagonist. When taking that into consideration, and the idea that the multiverse is key to Spider-Man 3, it seems probable that audiences will have wait for Kraven the Hunter’s solo movie to see the character brought to life on the big screen.

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