Sony has delayed the release of Kraven the Hunter. The SSU entry was all set to arrive in theatres worldwide on August 30, 2024. Now, the latest delay has pushed back the film’s release window to December 13. It means Tom Hardy’s Venom: The Last Dance will release before the Aaron Taylor-Johnson starrer, on October 25.
Release delays are generally considered bad for movies. However, it could be a boon for Kraven the Hunter. Sony’s Spider-Man Universe derailed after Madame Web turned out to be a critical and commercial misfire from the studio. To this date, Madame Web is the lowest-rated SSU film on Rotten Tomatoes, with a critical score of 12%.
Sony’s crumbling superhero franchise needs a film that is guaranteed to become a box office success. Hardy’s Venom movies are the most successful SSU entries in terms of box office collections, and Venom 3 could set things straight. This would not only aid the franchise in coming back on track but might also restore fans’ faith. Ultimately, this scenario could benefit Kraven the Hunter.
Still, a lot depends on the initial test screenings. Negative reactions to the film’s screenings could force Sony to delay it further.
Helmed by J. C. Chandor, Kraven the Hunter stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, Russell Crowe, Alessandro Nivola, and Christopher Abbott. Stay tuned for more updates.