DC’s Catman: The Antihero Movie That Could Outshine Marvel’s Kraven the Hunter

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The DC Universe has a chance to produce a hit adaptation of one of Marvel’s least profitable films, and I sincerely hope it’s underway. The fresh start for the DCU is set to begin in full swing with Superman, slated for release on July 11 this year. Based on the trailers alone, I’m quite optimistic that the new DC Studios co-CEO, James Gunn, will guide the franchise effectively as we approach one year after the DCEU released its last movie, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, in December 2023.

At a challenging moment for superhero films, the DC Universe (DCU) is making its entrance. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is finding it tough to maintain consistency with its Multiverse Saga releases, and Sony’s Spider-Man Universe appears to be on hold, having halted most future superhero projects except for Nicholas Cage’s Spider-Noir series. Regardless, the DCU seems ready to bring some positivity to the genre, with its vibrant and comic-accurate portrayal of Superman hinting at hope. In fact, it might even turn the tables on one of the most disappointing superhero movie launches from the past decade.

Kraven The Hunter Is One Of Marvel’s Least Successful Movie Releases In Recent History

It Grossed Just $60 Million Worldwide

As a movie enthusiast, I found myself in the unenviable position of reviewing “Kraven the Hunter,” the swan song for Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, released in the chilly month of December 2024. This film marked another chapter in the franchise that often shines the spotlight on characters synonymous with Spider-Man’s legendary rogues, reimagining one as a morally ambiguous protagonist who, unlike our friendly neighborhood hero, has no qualms about ending lives.

Boasting an R-rating and a talented cast, this film didn’t quite garner the critical acclaim of its more successful counterpart, “Madame Web.” However, despite not being universally praised, it managed to rake in an impressive $60 million worldwide, setting a new franchise record.

Sony’s Spider-Man Universe Movies Worldwide Box Office (via The Numbers) Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score
Venom (2018) $856,081,053 30%
Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) $501,546,922 57%
Morbius (2022) $162,759,437 15%
Madame Web (2024) $100,298,817 11%
Venom: The Last Dance (2024) $472,447,179 41%
Kraven the Hunter (2024) $60,011,428 15%

This Spider-Man film from Sony didn’t just fall short for their universe, but it ranks among the lowest global box office earnings for any superhero movie. It’s on par with 2005’s Elektra ($57 million) and 2013’s Kick-Ass 2 ($63 million), interestingly both starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Even Catwoman, a critically panned film from 2004 that grossed $82 million worldwide, outperformed it financially. Despite surpassing other superhero films of the last decade like 2024’s The Crow ($16 million), it still counts as one of the bigger disappointments in the genre.

Kraven The Hunter’s Premise Arguably Wasn’t The Problem With The Movie

Kraven The Hunter Was Affected By Multiple External Factors

The character Kraven the Hunter had some flaws, but I don’t believe the fundamental concept was the primary problem. One common complaint about the upcoming film was that audiences didn’t seem to be clamoring for a standalone Kraven movie. However, given the right preparations, it could have been a surprise success. It’s worth noting that the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise has been one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s greatest financial and critical triumphs, featuring characters who were less well-known before its debut, yet there was no apparent demand for them prior to release.

Instead, it seems that the struggles Kraven the Hunter faced were partly due to the waning faith in the franchise at that time. Although Venom: The Last Dance managed to recoup some of Sony’s losses, the audience had grown weary of the inconsistent quality in the non-Venom movies. While I wouldn’t claim that Kraven the Hunter escaped these issues entirely, it was still hampered by subpar writing and puzzling scenes, such as the Rhino emitting a perplexing guttural roar.

In a nutshell, the main issue with Kraven the Hunter and earlier works is evident: Sony’s Spider-Man Universe was hindered by the lack of its star character, Spider-Man. Unlike Sony, DC Studios doesn’t have such limitations, and if James Gunn keeps showcasing lesser-known characters and making them household names, then I believe they could successfully replicate Kraven in their universe.

DC’s Equivalent Of Kraven Would Be Theoretically Perfect For A DCU Movie

DC Has Its Own Gruff Hunter Antihero

In a well-known comparison between DC Comics and Marvel’s characters, one lesser-known villain who transitioned to an antihero is Catman. Originally, he was a caricature of Catwoman, donning a Batman-esque costume and stealing cat-related items. However, in the mid-2000s, there was a major transformation for the character – he was reimagined as a rugged big game hunter residing in Africa, mirroring the style of Kraven the Hunter.

It seems that some ongoing DC Universe (DCU) projects are focusing on lesser-known characters such as Booster Gold, Swamp Thing, and The Authority. Given this trend, I believe introducing a Catman adaptation into the DCU would be fitting. As a significant member of the Secret Six, a team composed of villains similar to the Suicide Squad that undertake questionable missions, Catman could make an intriguing addition.

Since Amanda Waller is already present in the DCU through the Creature Commandos, now would be the ideal time to develop the DC equivalent of Kraven the Hunter. James Gunn’s unique style could provide a more appealing interpretation of this character.

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2025-04-28 05:59