The cast of “Kraven the Hunter,” starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ariana DeBose, and Russell Crowe, weigh in on their characters and exploring the darker side of the Marvel universe

It takes a family to raise a villain, and Sergei Kravinoff, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson is no stranger to violence and crime. Wanting to break free of his family’s bloody legacy, his decision ultimately leads him to become an even more terrifying criminal.

Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/Tu1MTm4MWuU

At the heart of it, Kraven’s relationship with his father is what forged his path to villainy. Nikolai Kravinoff, played by Russell Crowe, is the looming presence of fatherhood that Kraven wanted to remove himself from.  “Nikolai is a very wealthy man, and his kids have grown up with great privilege,” Crowe says. “He’s also a very harsh judge, and he puts his kids under a lot of pressure because he expects them to succeed and excel. As they get a little older, it’s not necessarily a very comfortable place to be when your father is extremely successful and demanding, and has a penchant for violence.”

As Kraven trains for the hunt, he is aided by Calypso, played by Ariana DeBose. One of the few people in Kraven’s inner circle, she becomes an anchor in his life. The relationship between Kraven and Calypso is meant to feel like lightning in a bottle,” says DeBose. “It’s sort of this cosmic, astrological, spiritual meeting of two beings who are just destined to be in each other’s lives.”

For DeBose, she and Calypso share the same motivation and drive in terms of her own lineage. “Calypso is exploring who she is, and a part of that is digging into her ancestry,” says DeBose. “I’ve talked a lot in my career about using your lineage and your heritage. It’s a point of pride, it’s a point of strength, it’s what makes you unique.”

About Kraven the Hunter

Kraven the Hunter is the visceral, action-packed origin story of how and why one of Marvel’s most iconic villains came to be. Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays Kraven, a man whose complex relationship with his ruthless father, Nikolai Kravinoff (Russell Crowe), starts him down a path of vengeance with brutal consequences, motivating him to become not only the greatest hunter in the world, but also one of its most feared. 

Directed by J.C. Chandor with story and screenplay by Richard Wenk, Art Marcum, and Matt Holloway, based on Marvel Comics. The film is produced by Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, and David Householter.

Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, Alessandro Nivola, Christopher Abbott and Russell Crowe.

Opening in Philippine cinemas on December 11, Kraven the Hunter is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #KravenTheHunter

Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”