Sony Pictures Acquires New Script By ‘Kraven The Hunter’ Helmer J.C. Chandor As SPC Readies Next ‘Spider-Man’ Universe Pic With Aaron Taylor-Johnson

EXCLUSIVE: After directing Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the lead role of the Spider-Man spinoff Kraven the Hunter, J.C. Chandor has closed a deal with Sony Pictures to direct a new untitled contemporary drama he has written. It might be his next outing as director. This comes after Sony saw Chandor’s latest cut, which prompted a move to a December 13 release slot. The new trailer for Kraven bows shortly.

The new film is a drama that is a callback to his early films Margin Call, A Most Violent Year and Triple Frontier, in terms of the polemics of capitalism. I’ve heard this one is a contemporary thriller involving the investigation of a death in a moneyed dynastic family. Think Succession with an Erin Brockovich feel.

Kraven stars Taylor-Johnson as the son of a ruthless Russian gangster (Russell Crowe). He is an incredibly efficient hunter who has a complicated and antagonistic relationship with his father. Originally dated for Oct. 6, 2023, the pic moved to upcoming Labor Day weekend on Aug. 30, before moving again to be an R-rated Christmas corridor counterprogramming film, released December 13. Pic introduces Alessandro Nivola as the Spidey-nemesis The Rhino, and Fred Hechinger as The Chameleon, and Ariana DeBose plays the Marvel character Calypso. The delays allowed for Chandor to sharpen the characters and tighten the plot, and some strategic reshoots which were effective. After enduring a misfire with Madame Web, SPE brass is optimistic that Kraven will be more in line with the Venom films.

I reached out to Chandor and he texted back confirmation: “I’m extremely proud of the work we have all done together on Kraven, and when the movie finally gets its chance to be seen I think it’s gonna surprise the hell out of a lot of people. As for what’s next for me, as always that’s up to the moviemaking gods.”

Chandor and SPE’s Tom Rothman and Sanford Panitch got along well, making the most of the extra time to sharpen the film. I’ve heard Chandor has finished his first draft and cast is already circling, so this might all move on a fast track.

Chandor is repped by CAA and attorney Andrew Hurwitz.