I've been desperate to see a film version of Marvel's Chameleon for decades, but his appearance in Kraven the Hunter It was an unbelievable disappointment. As Spider-Man's first supervillain, the Chameleon's unique combination of psychological manipulation and physical form-shifting make him an ideal adversary. For years I dreamed of seeing it translated to the big screen in a way that captured its complex and disturbing nature. When Sony's Spider-Man Universe announced that Chameleon would finally appear in Kraven the HunterI dared to hope. But now that I've seen the film, I'm not just disappointed – I'm devastated.
from Sony Kraven the Hunter promised a gritty, character-driven exploration of Sergei Kravinoff's descent into his infamous role as the world's greatest hunter. Among the most exciting revelations was the inclusion of his brother, the Chameleon, played by Fred Hechinger. The film tied their narratives together in a way that initially seemed designed to add emotional depth to both characters. However, Chameleon has been largely marginalized, with many of its impressive abilities turned into a novelty.
Kraven's Version of Chameleon Explained
Chameleon has been reinvented for Kraven the Hunter
The version of Chameleon in Kraven the Hunter is initially described as a master impersonator who can perfectly imitate anyone's voice. Dmitri's abilities seem almost supernatural in their precision, but the film Grounds them in years of practice and innate skill. He is notably portrayed imitating his father with surprising effectiveness.
This basis could have been a convincing way to introduce the audience to his cunning nature. Unfortunately, Kraven the Hunter barely scratches the surface of Dmitri's potential. It's not until the final scenes in Kraven the Hunter that Chameleon undergoes an experimental procedure to achieve his shape-shifting abilities with comical precision.
This moment should have been a showstopper, a transformative event that reshapes the character and sets up an exciting future. Instead, it is rushed and shoehorned in at the end of the narrative, leaving little time to explore the ramifications of Dmitri's new powers. By the time the credits roll, Chameleon has just begun to embody the character I was so excited to see.
Chameleon's "Power" chant has to be seen to be believed
Kraven the hunter, Waster, the Spider-Man villain
One of the most baffling creative decisions in Kraven the Hunter is Dmitri's side gig as a nightclub performer. Dmitri is pictured performing in his and his father's lounge bar singing some contemporary and classic songs. He uses his mime skills to perform strange renditions of songs by artists such as Harry Styles, Tony Bennett and David Bowie. While this trick initially seems like a quirky character trait, it quickly turns into a distraction.
Instead of exploring the Chameleon's capacity for deception and psychological warfare, the film reduces him to a cabaret act. This portrait robs the Chameleon of its menace and seriousness. The scenes of Dmitri singing, while technically impressive, feel out of place and reduce the tension of the story. It's as if the filmmakers can't decide whether to treat him as a legitimate threat or a comedic character, and the result is a tonal mess.
For a villain with such rich potential, being reduced to a musical impersonator is a frustrating waste. Plus, the fact that Hechinger is obviously voicing the original singers becomes increasingly difficult to ignore. Although Hechinger himself accomplished this admirably, it was a disheartening culmination of your skills. It seemed Kraven the Hunter was setting him up to play a major role in the narrative, but as has become a prevalent trope in the franchise, SSU created a more intriguing future narrative than the one it portrayed.
Kraven gave us a great hint about Chameleon's future, but it's not going to happen
SSU will not complete the villain narrative
The end of Kraven the Hunter offers a tantalizing glimpse of what could have been. After undergoing his experimental transformation, Dmitri fully embraces his role as a chameleon villain. In a climactic moment, he assumes his comic form, complete with the iconic white mask-like face.
He also inherits his father's criminal empire, setting the stage for a power struggle between him and Sergei. This configuration suggests a future conflict where the Chameleon could harness his new powers in more dynamic wayspitting his psychological cunning against Kraven's brute strength. The tension between the brothers in the final moments is palpable.
It suggested that a deeply personal rivalry could have driven the next few episodes. Unfortunately, with the end of Sony's Spider-Man universe, it's unlikely Someday we will see this plot come to fruition. As a fan, it's heartbreaking to see a character with so much potential reduced to a novelty. Chameleon deserved better Krven the Hunterand so do we.