Let’s face it: that’s what this would be: “Sony Pictures has reportedly offered Keanu Reeves the role of Spider-Man villain Kraven the Hunter in a solo film project that is currently in development. If this is true, we still don’t know if Reeves is going to accept the offer.” Come, I will conceal nothing from you: all I know about Kraven the Hunter is from Squirrel Girl. I don’t know just where this falls on the Abomination Scale, or even if it falls on it at all.
Still. John Wick with a spear. That could be cool.
(Performs sinal salute)
No.
Just no.
Kraven is A LARGE HAM.
Being a boisterous overbearing braggart is outside of Keanu Reeves’ range.
He could pull off the “stalking” part, where he appears from the background with an unexpected savage strike, and Spidey is only barely saved by his ESP and combat luck.
Everything before and after that, though?
No.
In short, Kraven is wish-fulfilment fan-service. He’s the big, scary, hypercompetent jock that the hero enrages with witty repartee, outsmarts, and makes a buffoon of.
There’s no depth, no subtly to be had here. Any character development undermines the point of the character.
He’s just a foil.
He doesn’t have a backstory that might evoke sympathy. He doesn’t have some grand scheme that needs to be thwarted. He’s not going to ever give the “not so different” speech. He’s just there as a stand-in for the guy who gave the reader a wedgie.
No more, and no less.
That’s a really good point. I always thought he was an annoying member of the rogues gallery, not a villain who deserved top billing. Or who’s plots ever hooked me.