Ryan Coogler’s Scrapped Plan: Kraven the Hunter in Black Panther

Ryan Coogler, the director behind Black Panther, has shared that he once intended to include Kraven the Hunter in his original vision for the film. While the final cut of Black Panther introduced audiences to two memorable antagonists—Erik Killmonger, played by Michael B. Jordan, and Ulysses Klaue, portrayed by Andy Serkis—there was a time when another well-known character from the Marvel universe was on the cards.

Kraven the Hunter, a favourite among Spider-Man fans, was considered as a potential addition to the line-up of villains. Coogler was keen to bring the character into the world of Wakanda, adding a fresh dynamic to the story and giving punters something unexpected. The idea was to shake things up and offer a new challenge for T’Challa, but things didn’t quite go to plan.

Studio Decisions and Character Rights

Despite Coogler’s enthusiasm, the proposal hit a snag. Sony Pictures, who hold the rights to Kraven the Hunter, weren’t on board with the idea. The studio decided against letting the character appear in Black Panther, choosing instead to keep Kraven for their own projects. This move meant that Coogler had to rethink his approach and focus on the villains who eventually made it to the big screen.

It’s not uncommon for studios to be protective of their intellectual property, especially when it comes to high-profile characters. In this case, Sony’s decision paved the way for Kraven to headline his own spin-off film, rather than making his debut alongside the Black Panther.