How did Kraven the Hunter get his powers? (Comic vs movie comparisons)

From the comics’ origin story of drinking elixirs for superhuman abilities to… a lion’s blood drop? Here’s what you need to know about Kraven the Hunter and his powers.

The superhero cinematic universe is about to get wilder, and this time it’s all thanks to a certain Spider-Man nemesis. Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (the SSU) is all set to bring one of Marvel’s most unique villains to life — Kraven the Hunter.

The first trailer for the movie, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, has just dropped, and it looks like they’ve given our favorite Russian aristocrat-turned-big-game-hunter quite a bit of a… backstory revamp.

This trailer is NOT appropriate for kids!

How does Kraven the Hunter get his powers? (comics vs. movie magic)

Kraven the Hunter, or should we say Sergei Kravinoff, never had a typical life, even in the comics. Born to a Russian aristocrat who lost his noble status in the wake of the Soviet Union’s establishment, Sergei sought greatness through the thrill of the hunt. The comics painted him as a master tracker, strategist, and marksman, but the movie has introduced a little twist.

In a stunning sequence in the trailer, young Sergei is shown hunting a massive lion with his father. In a terrifying turn of events, the lion attacks Sergei, severely wounding him. Here’s what had me tilting my head to the side: the lion’s blood seeps into Sergei’s wounds, apparently sparking a strange transformation. Suddenly, Sergei can connect with animals around him and even command them — a significant detour from the comic lore.

I can’t be the only one scratching my head at this apparent change. That better be some Narnia-Aslan-kind of magical lion, or there must be more to the transformation, otherwise it makes no sense.

Man, Monster, or Both?

The full extent of Sergei’s powers in Kraven the Hunter is yet to be unveiled. So far, we know he uses his newfound connection with animals to track his prey. He can bounce off walls like a gazelle and seems incredibly skilled with an array of weapons.

While his comic counterpart relied on his natural human abilities (aided by a superhuman elixir from his romantic partner, Calypso), the movie version appears to boast a different set of supernatural abilities.

In a curious turn of events, the movie also features another notorious Spider-Man villain, Rhino. Could it be that the potion Rhino uses to morph into a rampaging beast will also play a part in setting up Kraven for his confrontation with Spider-Man? That would make much more sense when comparing to the comics origin story.

We’re in for a wild ride as we explore the depths of Sergei Kravinoff’s transformation into Kraven the Hunter. The hunt begins on October 6, 2023.