You’ve probably seen the trailers or caught the buzz about the 2024 Kraven the Hunter movie. But honestly, most casual fans are missing the biggest twist sitting right in front of them. It isn’t just about a guy who talks to lions. It’s about his brother. Dmitri Smerdyakov.
The Chameleon.
If you grew up on the 90s Spider-Man animated series, you remember the Chameleon as this faceless, high-tech spy with a belt that lets him turn into anyone. He was a solo act. A mystery. But in the actual lore—and now in the Sony Spider-Man Universe (SSU)—his bond with Sergei Kravinoff is the foundation of everything. They aren't just allies. They’re family. And man, is it a mess.
Why the Kraven the Hunter Chameleon Bond is a Disaster
In the comics, Dmitri was the illegitimate half-brother of Sergei. He wasn’t the favored son. He was basically the servant. While Sergei was the "golden child" of the Kravinoff line, Dmitri lived in the shadows, literally learning to mimic others just to survive the abuse of their father, Nikolai.
The movie, directed by J.C. Chandor, leans hard into this psychological trauma. Fred Hechinger plays the adult Dmitri, and he brings this sort of twitchy, repressed energy to the role. He isn't a world-class assassin yet. He’s a guy trying to find a voice of his own while living next to a brother who can rip a door off its hinges.
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The Power Shift
Most people expect the Chameleon to just put on a mask. In the movie, it's more grounded—at least at first.
- The Mimicry: Early on, Dmitri’s "power" is just being a terrifyingly good observer. He can copy voices. He can match your gait. It’s less "superhero" and more "creepy theater kid with a grudge."
- The Scientist: The film introduces a huge plot point involving a "doctor in New York." If you're a Marvel nerd, your ears probably perked up. This doctor (hinted to be Miles Warren, aka The Jackal) provides the serum that actually allows for physical shapeshifting.
- The Betrayal: By the time the credits roll, the dynamic has flipped. Sergei wants to be a "protector" in his own twisted way. Dmitri? He wants the crown.
The tragedy of the Kraven the Hunter Chameleon relationship is that Sergei spends the whole movie trying to "save" his brother from their father's legacy, only for Dmitri to embrace the darkness to spite him.
What Really Happened with those Powers?
There’s a lot of confusion online about whether Chameleon is a mutant or a "mutate." In the SSU, it's definitely the latter. He isn't born with the ability to melt his face into someone else's.
During the third act, after a massive one-year time jump, we see a version of Dmitri who has completely lost himself. He’s taken over his father’s criminal empire. When he finally confronts Sergei, he doesn't just argue with him. He becomes him.
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He shifts his facial features to mirror Sergei’s exactly. It’s a chilling moment because it shows that Dmitri has finally surpassed his brother in the one way that matters: he can be anyone, which means he is effectively no one. He’s untraceable.
Real Lore vs. Movie Changes
Honestly, the movie takes some liberties, but they mostly work for the "gritty" vibe Sony is chasing. In the original 1964 comics (Amazing Spider-Man #15), it was actually Chameleon who called Kraven to New York in the first place. He basically treated Kraven like a hired hitman to deal with Spider-Man.
The movie swaps this. Sergei is the lead. Dmitri is the tag-along.
"I possess undreamed-of strength and speed... but you, Dmitri, you possess the mask." - Loose paraphrase of early comic interactions.
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Wait. Let’s look at the "Doctor" situation again. The film mentions a New York scientist who helped Aleksei Sytsevich (Rhino) and later Dmitri. In the comics, the Chameleon’s powers usually come from technology or a specific serum developed by himself or his associates. By linking him to the same source as the Rhino, the movie creates a more cohesive "Sinister Six" origin story, even if we never get to see that team-up fully realized.
Why This Matters for the Future
If you’re looking for a happy ending here, you’re in the wrong franchise. The movie ends with Sergei wearing the iconic lion-head vest, slumped in a chair, contemplating the fact that his brother is now his greatest rival.
The Kraven the Hunter Chameleon rivalry sets up a "Cain and Abel" story that’s way more interesting than just another CGI punch-fest. It’s about identity. Sergei is obsessed with his "true nature" as a predator. Dmitri is obsessed with having no nature at all.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're trying to get ahead of the curve on this character, there are a few things you should actually do:
- Track down Kraven's Last Hunt: This is the definitive comic. While Chameleon isn't the main focus, his reaction to Sergei’s eventual fate in the comics is some of the best writing in Marvel history.
- Watch Spider-Man: Far From Home again: Numan Acar plays a character named "Dimitri." While the SSU and MCU are technically separate, the name choice wasn't an accident. It’s fun to compare the "bus driver" Dmitri to Fred Hechinger’s "mob boss" version.
- Look for Amazing Spider-Man #1: Not the 1962 one (unless you have a million dollars), but the 2024/2025 reprints that coincide with the movie. They usually include backstory on the Smerdyakov/Kravinoff lineage.
- Don't expect a sequel soon: Given the box office climate for "villain-verse" movies, this story might continue in a different format, possibly as a crossover. Keep an eye on casting news for Spider-Man 4 to see if any SSU elements bleed over.
The most important takeaway? Don't view the Chameleon as a sidekick. In this universe, he is the reflection of everything Sergei is afraid of becoming. He is the hunter's own shadow, and that's a lot harder to kill than a lion.
Next Steps for Deepening Your Knowledge:
- Read "The Chameleon Steps Out" in Amazing Spider-Man #1 to see the character's first-ever appearance and how much he has changed from a simple master of disguise to a shapeshifting threat.
- Compare the SSU Rhino and Chameleon origins to identify the "New York Doctor" Easter eggs that link these characters to the broader Spider-Man lore.
- Analyze the 2024 film's final scene to spot the specific visual cues in Dmitri’s transformation that hint at his future as a master manipulator in the criminal underworld.