All 7 Marvel Villains In Kraven The Hunter Explained

Not surprisingly, other villains from Marvel's vast lore also make an appearance, as Kraven the Hunter brings one of Spider-Man's most well-known enemies to the big screen. By exploring the notorious hunter's beginnings, Kraven the Hunter carries on Sony's Spider-Man Universe. Kraven runs against a vast list of other iconic Marvel enemies along the road, all of whom are taken directly from the comic books.

In a shared universe, Sony's Spider-Man Universe was designed to tell the origin tales of some of Spider-Man's most notorious enemies and supporting cast members. Kraven the Hunter seemed to be taking over, though, as many of these were shown more as tragic antiheroes. Finally adding some real Marvel villains to its ranks, the film debuted a staggering seven villains, including the titular Kraven.

Who Is Kraven The Hunter?

One of Spider-Man's main enemies is the title character, Kraven the Hunter (also known as Sergei Kravinoff). Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays Kraven in his live-action debut, however he differs slightly from Kraven the Hunter's comic book counterpart. The main one is that Kraven has turned into another of the SSU's plagued antiheroes, compelled to act immorally in an effort to overthrow his father and save the environment.

Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, Kraven the Hunter made his debut in The Amazing Spider-Man #15 (1964). He came from a Russian noble family that emigrated to America after the Russian Revolution and was born Sergei Kravinoff. Sergei became a proficient hunter after finding meaning in the African wilderness after living in poverty.

Kraven and Spider-Man clashed because of Kraven's infatuation with establishing himself as the world's best hunter. The ultimate test of his abilities was his pledge to track down and defeat the hero. Themes of honor, legacy, and the hazy boundary between man and beast are frequently explored in Kraven's stories.

Kraven found a magical plant concoction in Africa that gives him his powers. He gains superhuman strength, speed, agility, and endurance thanks to this potion. In addition, he possesses enhanced senses, combat abilities refined from years of hunting the most deadly animals on the planet, and an amazing ability to track prey. Apart from his physical strength, Kraven is an expert tactician who outwits his adversaries by using psychological warfare and traps.

Who Is Rhino?

Rhino (Alessandro Nivola) is Kraven the Hunter's primary opponent aside from Sergei's father. Rhino, another of Spider-Man's most well-known villains, is somewhat changed for Kraven the Hunter. In this rendition, a Russian mercenary undergoes experimental therapy that results in a rhino-human hybrid with horn and impenetrable hard skin. He uses medicine to maintain his human form, unlike in the comics, however he can revert to his rhino form by interrupting his supply.

Aleksei Sytsevich, also known as The Rhino, made his debut in The Amazing Spider-Man #41 (1966). Aleksei was a Russian-born small-time criminal who volunteered for a risky scientific experiment in order to increase his influence. Through this procedure, a strong polymer suit was fused to his body, giving him superhuman skills but also making it impossible for him to take it off. Rhino's desires for fortune, vengeance, or freedom from his constricting circumstances are frequently at the heart of his motivations. Despite his lack of intelligence, Spider-Man and others find him to be a dangerous foe due to his sheer might.

Rhino is practically invincible in physical combat due to his extraordinary strength, speed, durability, and endurance. His suit is resistant to explosions, gunshots, and extremely high temperatures, making it all but indestructible. Rhino can also charge at amazing speeds, turning his momentum and bulk into lethal weapons.

Who Is Calypso Ezili?

Ariana DeBose plays Calypso Ezili in Kraven the Hunter. In the film, she is far more helpful than in the comics, mostly helping Kraven with his quest. Kraven receives the herbal elixir that grants him his heightened skills from Calypso, just like in the comics. In the comics, Calypso does this because they are lovers, while in the film, she does it to save his life.

Voodoo priestess Calypso Ezili frequently appears as an opponent in Spider-Man's storylines. She made her debut in Denny O'Neil and Alan Weiss's The Amazing Spider-Man #209 (1980). Calypso and Kraven the Hunter have a lengthy history together, with Calypso frequently acting as a manipulative lover or ally. She is a dangerous and unpredictable adversary because of her skill with voodoo magic and psychological manipulation.

Calypso's voodoo magic gives her the power to manipulate people's thoughts, bring the dead back to life, and conjure illusions. Her supernatural abilities are further enhanced by her proficiency in alchemy, potions, and rituals. The most horrifying aspect of Calypso is her capacity to take advantage of her victims' vulnerabilities and anxieties, which makes her a psychological threat in addition to a physical one.

Who Is The Foreigner?

Christopher Abbott plays the role of the Foreigner in Kraven the Hunter. After years of pursuing Kraven, Rhino hires this assassin to find and murder him. He disorients and incapacitates his victims via a form of ocular hypnosis that makes him appear to be out of their line of sight.

The Foreigner, whose true name is still unknown, made his début in Peter Parker's July 1986 issue of The Spectacular Spider-Man #116. The Foreigner is one of the most lethal assassins and mercenaries in the Marvel Universe. He is renowned for his cunning, strategic thinking, and flawless fighting abilities. He has had conflicts with Spider-Man and other superheroes over the years, frequently as a manipulator behind the scenes.

The Foreigner is in top physical condition and has unparalleled hand-to-hand combat capabilities, despite the fact that he lacks superhuman abilities. He defeats even superpowered opponents thanks to his skill in martial arts, cunning, and strategy. Additionally, the Foreigner can hypnotize humans with just eye contact, putting them in a 10-second trance that gives the impression that the Foreigner can move quickly. Though not adequately explained, this is evident throughout Kraven the Hunter.

Who Is Chameleon?

Although the Chameleon makes appearances throughout Kraven the Hunter, it is not until the conclusion that he takes on his full form. Kraven's half-brother Chameleon, also known as Dmitri Smerdyakov, has a remarkable talent for mimicking voices. At the end of Kraven the Hunter, Dmitri reveals that he has acquired shapeshifting skills from the same doctor that Rhino did, and he temporarily assumes his comic-accurate white head design after spending a significant portion of the film being kept captive by Rhino.

Spider-Man's first antagonist, Dmitri Smerdyakov, made his appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (1963). Dmitri, Kraven's half-brother and a master of disguise and espionage, enabled Chameleon to develop into a significant antagonist rather than a one-time foe because of their familial ties. Identity, retaliation, and the excitement of deceit are frequently the Chameleon's driving forces.

The Chameleon's primary skill is his ability to blend in with his surroundings. He initially relied on cosmetics and costumes, but he eventually created technology that allowed him to change his appearance whenever he wanted. He can almost perfectly mimic someone's voice, features, and mannerisms thanks to this sophisticated technology. The Chameleon poses no physical threat, but his strategic and psychological abilities make him a formidable foe.

Who Is Miles Warren AKA Jackal?

In Kraven the Hunter, Rhino says he learned his abilities from a New York doctor while he is describing them to Dmitri. Miles Warren, the comic book villain Jackal, was the name of this doctor. This proves that the SSU has another iconic Spider-Man foe, albeit one that is invisible.

The geneticist-turned-villain Jackal made his debut as a professor in The Amazing Spider-Man #31 (1965) and then as the Jackal in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 (1974). Warren's obsession with Gwen Stacy drove him to believe that Spider-Man was responsible for her passing. His fixation led him to make clones, such as Ben Reilly's Spider-Man clone, and ruin Spider-Man's life.

The Jackal's experiments on himself have given him increased strength, speed, and agility. He also made gauntlets with razors that resembled claws and a green costume. He is a skilled manipulator who uses genetic modification and clones to further his goals as a biologist. He is one of Spider-Man's most pernicious enemies due to his scientific knowledge and personal grudges.

Who Is Hitman?

Near the end of Kraven the Hunter, the Foreigner meets Rhino and tells him why he has a grudge against the hunter. He holds up a Daily Bugle front story that reads "Hunter vs. Hitman" and says that Kraven killed his former mentor. Although this might be any nameless antagonist, it's important to remember that there is a Marvel Comics antagonist known only as the Hitman.

The Hitman has been used by a number of characters, all of whom are the Punisher's adversaries. Burt Kenyon was the first, making his debut in The Amazing Spider-Man #174 (1977). Burt was a former Marine who became an assassin and took on contracts that conflicted with Spider-Man. Jimmy Pierce took his place in The Punisher (vol 2) #85 (1993) after his passing.

The Hitman's military experience gives him the ability to be a proficient marksman and combatant. He is skilled in hand-to-hand fighting, explosives, and guns. The Hitman is not a superpowered adversary, but his accuracy and strategic thinking make him a dangerous menace to anybody he targets. However, his appearance in Kraven the Hunter suggested that SSU was hoping for more Spidey-based stories.