Actor Alessandro Nivola shared new details on his mystery villain from Sony Pictures' upcoming Kraven the Hunter.
"I only transform, physically, in the final moments of the movie, so it's just a classic villain role. It had a really interesting, complex psychology and personal history to draw on," Nivola told The Hollywood Reporter. "[The] character changes a lot from the way he is in the beginning of the film."
Nivola joined Kraven in March, though both he and Sony have remained tight-lipped on who he will be playing in the film. The actor, known for his roles in films such as The Many Saints of Newark and American Hustle, said his character will be tethered to the real world. "The physical ability of the characters in the movie is also more grounded in reality. People aren't flying around or anything. [Director J.C. Chandor] described it as the most incredible Olympic athlete you've ever seen," he told THR. "Moreover, the role, which I'm not yet allowed to disclose, was just a real acting opportunity for me. You'll see. It's just a great character part, and I didn't have to do any CGI."
Kraven the Hunter's Many Enemies
Though Nivola is believed to play Kraven's main antagonist, other reports have listed co-star Christopher Abbott, who plays The Foreigner, as the film's central villain. In the comics, The Foreigner is a master assassin who makes a wager with a former professional gambler named Nicholas Powell, AKA Chance, that the latter cannot catch and kill Spider-Man. The Foreigner has also affiliated with Jason Macendale, a character with ties to Kraven. Though Macendale took on the mantles of both Jack O'Lantern and the Hobgoblin, he is also a mercenary who once obtained Kraven's strength formula to enhance his abilities.
Another prominent villain with connections to Kraven is Edward Whelan/Vermin, a geneticist who transforms into a humanoid rat, best known for his role in 1987's "Kraven's Last Hunt," by J. M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck, which is considered among Kraven's best storylines. In addition to no CGI, whoever Nivola plays will not be seen in tights. "I didn't have to contend with wearing a spandex outfit or anything like that," the actor told THR.
Kraven the Hunter stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the title role of Sergei Kravinoff/Kraven the Hunter, Arianna DeBose as the voodoo priestess Calypso Ezili, and Fred Hechinger as Dmitri Smerdyakov/The Chameleon. Levi Miller and Russell Crowe also have undisclosed roles, though rumors suggest Crowe will play Nikolaï Kravinoff, father of both Kraven and The Chameleon.
Kraven the Hunter is scheduled for release on Jan. 13, 2023.
Source: THR