Sony’s attempts at creating a Spider-Man-less Spider-Verse haven’t exactly hit the mark with audiences, but J.C. Chandor, the director of the upcoming “Kraven the Hunter,” hopes you’ll give his film a chance.
We’ve had Venom, Morbius, and Madame Web — all connected to Spider-Man, all produced by Sony, and let’s face it, not all widely praised (though Venom has a sort of delightful chaos to it). Even Chandor himself seems aware of the lukewarm reception the past films have garnered. In an interview with ComicBook, he acknowledged the challenges while inviting fans to keep an open mind and check out Kraven’s story.
Chandor shared, “I won’t go too deep into the details, but as a filmmaker, my main aim is to engage deeply with this world, especially over the past few years. I understand that some fans were disappointed with certain directions in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe.” He noted the mix of outcomes, pointing out, “Some films have been huge hits, and others not so much. We need people to give our movie a fair shot and try to put the past behind. Let’s see what this film can do.”
It’s fair to say Chandor might be leaning a bit on hopeful optimism here. Among the five live-action films in the Sony Spider-Verse, three—specifically the Venom movies—have done quite well, largely thanks to Venom’s familiar appeal. So, while the success rate has had its highs, it’s not entirely balanced.
Chandor is confident that audiences will “realize we’ve crafted a story that’s genuinely entertaining. By the time this movie wraps up, there’ll be room for so much more. But the focus was on isolating our tale, keeping it unique, and delivering one heck of a story. If we succeed, then lots of fun possibilities await.”
As for what those exciting possibilities might be, it’s anyone’s guess. Of course, they hinge on the film’s success, and we’ll have to wait and see how it all unfolds.
Mark your calendars because “Kraven the Hunter” swings into theaters on December 13.
