Academy Award winner Russell Crowe is set to join the new Sony Marvel movie ‘Kraven the Hunter’. Aaron Taylor-Johnson is already part of the cast, having signed a multi-picture deal to play the titular hero. 

While Crowe’s role is under wraps, for now, it is believed that the main cast members are going to play the roles of Kraven’s family members. 

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Kraven made his comic book debut in 1964’s ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ No. 15. The character was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. He’s a big-game hunter who sets his sights on the most elusive kill of all, Spider-Man himself. Since then, Kraven has become one of the webslinger’s better-known nemeses. However, Kraven is perhaps best-remembered for the iconic storyline in the 1980s, ‘Kraven’s Last Hunt’. This is where he succeeds in defeating Spider-Man, burying him alive, and then assuming his identity.

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However, the first movie will most likely be an origin story. 

The project is yet another step that Sony has taken to build out the Spider-Man universe. They’ve already released ‘Venom‘ and its sequel ‘Let there be Carnage’. This focus continues with the Jared Leto-starrer ‘Morbius‘ slated to release in April this year. Another movie, titled ‘Madame Web’ is in development and Dakota Johnson is supposed to star. 

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Crowe’s appearance in the upcoming Kraven film will be his second foray into the world of Marvel characters. Currently, the ‘Gladiator’ actor is part of the cast in Taika Waititi’s ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’. He plays the part of Zeus in the movie. Other upcoming projects on Crowe’s plate include ‘The Greatest Beer Run Ever’, the Apple and Sundance project. He is also currently directing ‘Poker Face’, where Crowe also stars alongside RZA and Liam Hemsworth. 

‘Kraven the Hunter’, which is the first film in the planned series, is slated to release on January 13, 2023.