Kraven the Hunter star Aaron Taylor-Johnson revealed that he was approached for a role in Deadpool 2.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson has become a bit of a comic book movie legend in his own right. Many were first introduced to him as the titular hero of the 2010 film Kick-Ass, based on the Mark Millar comic of the same name. He was then cast as Pietro Maximoff/Quicksilver in Avengers: Age of Ultron and is now set to play Kraven the Hunter in Sony’s upcoming entry in their Spider-Man Universe of films. Interestingly enough, he was previously approached for a role in his Bullet Train director David Leitch’s previous Marvel film, Deadpool 2.
Not as Quicksilver, though.
While promoting Bullet Train, Aaron Taylor-Johnson revealed that David Leitch approached him in the past for a role in Deadpool 2 that he inevitably turned down. The Kraven the Hunter actor told THR the following:
“Well, I don’t think it’s autopilot by any means, so I do believe in a bit of fate and luck. I feel fortunate and lucky that we were able to make this movie during a pandemic. I’ve always wanted to work with Brad Pitt. I’ve always wanted to make a movie on a Los Angeles soundstage. This was yet another movie I fought for. This was one of those hot scripts around town, and David Leitch actually asked me to be in Deadpool 2 ages ago. So I met him, but I didn’t do that. So when this came around, I was like, ‘Hey, do you remember me?’ And he was like, ‘Of course. I like you as an actor.’ So I was like, ‘Cool, what about this character?’ And he was like, ‘Get in line, buddy. There’s like ten other actors who want this job and they’ve got a bigger name than you do.’ (Laughs.) So I don’t expect these roles to be handed out, and I’m willing to fight for them, which is what I had to do for this. So I think I’m in the driver’s seat because I’m working hard. But I also try to manifest what I feel, and sometimes, the universe brings it back my way. You still have to actively go out and get it.”
It is unknown what character Aaron Taylor-Johnson was approached for in Deadpool 2, but it is interesting to hear that this is the second actor in Bullet Train to have been approached for a role in the Ryan Reynolds sequel. Michael Shannon was also eyed to play Cable for that film, which ultimately went to Josh Brolin.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson is leading the cast of Kraven the Hunter and is joined by Russell Crowe, Fred Hechinger, Ariana DeBose, Christopher Abbott, Alessandro Nivola, and Levi Miller. The film is being directed by J.C. Chandor with a script by Matt Holloway, Art Marcum, and Richard Wenk. Avi Arad, Amy Pascal, and Matt Tolmach are producing the film.
Kraven the Hunter is currently scheduled to hit theaters on January 13, 2023. Stay tuned for all the latest news on the upcoming film, and be sure to subscribe to Heroic Hollywood’s YouTube channel for more original video content.