Aaron Taylor-Johnson Reveals ‘Kraven the Hunter’ Is a Standalone Film, Not a Marvel Comeback!

Aaron Taylor-Johnson is taking on a new Marvel role as Kraven the Hunter, following his previous portrayal of Pietro Maximoff (Quicksilver) in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015). However, he doesn’t see his new character as a “reboot” of his past role, despite what some might think.

Ahead of the U.S. premiere of Kraven the Hunter on December 13, 2024, Taylor-Johnson sat down for a big interview with Entertainment Weekly. While excitement surrounds the film’s release, it may also mark the end of the SSU (Sony Spider-Man Universe).

Though this second Marvel role has garnered significant attention, early expectations for the film may not be fully met. Nevertheless, Taylor-Johnson shared plenty of valuable insights in the interview, and we’re bringing you the best highlights.

One of the most common questions Aaron Taylor-Johnson has faced is whether Kraven the Hunter is his attempt to revive his Marvel career. The actor laughs off the idea, explaining that the two roles are so different that there’s no real crossover between them: “I‘m laughing because I really feel like there’s no connection at all in that respect. I don’t feel like there’s an issue of crossover or a reboot situation. This isn’t a reboot by any means.”

Taylor-Johnson is unfazed by the potential confusion among fans about his switch in Marvel roles. For him, Kraven feels like a completely new venture. He’s eager to explore the character and create a fresh interpretation, something entirely separate from his previous role.

He sees Kraven as a complex, multi-layered character and believes this film will leave a lasting impact.

“I don’t really think in those terms. [Kraven the Hunter] feels worlds apart. It feels like a whole different venture. The beauty for me is that I get to play a character from the ground up and find layers. I’ve invested a lot of time into this, and it’s something I’m really proud of, and I think it’s got longevity.“

Source: Entertainment Weekly

He also enjoyed watching Evan Peters play Quicksilver in WandaVision and was a big fan of his performance.

That character was incredibly fun to play, especially with Lizzie Olsen, who I think is fantastic. And what she did with her character [in WandaVision] was brilliant. My kids loved that series as well. It was super exciting and really entertaining. But it was definitely a chapter of my life that I did, and was very grateful to do.

That side of things, that whole MCU world, is definitely able to explore all that sort of multiverse, and I think the exciting thing for the fans and the audience was to be able to bring Evan Peters into that in a way that felt fun, and comedic, and fresh and exciting. And it worked perfectly for that series.

As Taylor-Johnson reflects on his career, he’s surprised that nearly a decade has passed since he first portrayed Quicksilver. Looking at the transition, he notes that Kraven is a very different character:

To me, it feels like there’s so much distance from it, and a healthy distance from it when stepping onto something like this. The truth is, those characters were young adults. This character is a man; he’s this hunter with an extraordinary skill set and he’s navigating all these dark demons and this rage and fury that he has.

I just found that he’s got a really unique, interesting story that felt miles apart from that world. You watch this movie, and you don’t have to be caught up in all of that [MCU timeline]. It stands on its own.

Kraven the Hunter is an R-rated, standalone film from Sony that explores how Sergei Kravinoff becomes the iconic Spider-Man villain. Directed by J.C. Chandor, the movie also features Russell Crowe, Ariana DeBose, and others.

Taylor-Johnson describes the film as a gritty, gangster-style story with a fresh take. The unique character of Kraven and the film’s raw, intense tone were key factors in his decision to join the project, and he sees it as an opportunity to offer something new to the audience.

Though he stays mum on whether Kraven is part of the MCU, Taylor-Johnson hopes the movie can spark a new franchise, even though recent rumors suggest otherwise. He encourages viewers to form their own opinions as they watch, confident that the film will stand on its own and leave fans eager for what’s next.

Acknowledging the skepticism surrounding the film due to its delays, the actor isn’t concerned. He believes that if he’s done his job right, audiences will trust him and take a chance on the movie. Taylor-Johnson has fully committed to the role, even undergoing a physical transformation for the part.

To match the iconic look of Kraven from the comics, Taylor-Johnson had to gain 40 pounds of muscle, and maintaining that physique during reshoots was no easy feat. He takes the role seriously and has great respect for the Marvel fandom, fully aware of the pressure that comes with portraying such a beloved character.

Kraven the Hunter hits theaters on December 13.

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