After a disappointing portrayal in Kraven the Hunter, Dmitri Smerdyakov, aka The Chameleon, is getting a fresh start in the animated series, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. This article explores why The Chameleon deserves a better on-screen representation, how Kraven the Hunter missed the mark, and why the animated series might be the perfect platform for this iconic villain.
After a brief appearance in Kraven the Hunter, the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has quickly gone out of their way to rehabilitate the image of one of Spider-Man 's greatest foes. After introducing two of Spider-Man 's greatest enemies, the Sony film Kraven does not appear set to revisit these characters anytime soon.
Fortunately, other iterations exist in a new series, and the show seems to be taking great care in ensuring that they are adapted faithfully as well as in fun, unique, and interesting ways.Spider-Man arguably has the best villains of any comic book character, and the Spider-Man movie villains have done a great job in adapting most of those characters for the big screen. However, with only so much screen time available, some of those villains have been done even better on television. With Spider-Man Noir set to release soon, and a new Disney+ series causing a great stir among Marvel fans, television might be the next great frontier for Spider-Man villains, especially considering one new appearance.2025's First MCU Release Redeems The Chameleon With A New Depiction Dmitri Smerdyakov Appears In Episode 4 Of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Close In episode 4 of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, after a series of scenes showing Spider-Man trying out a number of new costumes, the series briefly introduces Dmitri Smerdyakov. The character is a Russian thug, who accompanies Mikhail Sytsevich, Mila Masaryk, and Roxanna Volkov. These are mostly notable characters, with Sytsevich being Rhino's father and Masaryk being Unicorn in the comics. However, Smerdyakov, being the Chameleon in the comics, is arguably the most famous. Chameleon appears here with a beard and slicked hair, and there is no mention of the character's powers. It is possible that Smerdyakov is either already in disguise, or that he may not yet have his powers. Either way, it is fulfilling to see the world of this animated series continue to be filled with more and more familiar characters from the comics. With tragic Spider-Man twists ahead, it remains to be seen how and if Chameleon will fit further into the new series. Why Kraven The Hunter's Version Of The Chameleon Was So Controversial Kraven The Hunter Featured Some Choices That Didn't Resonate With Audiences Close Chameleon appeared in a greatly transformed role in the recent Kraven the Hunter, where the villain was named Dimitri Kravinoff rather than Smerdyakov. Many were disappointed with Chameleon after waiting years to see him in a Spider-Man film, as the character was changed significantly. As a way of showing Chameleon's abilities, the character sang songs throughout the film, perfectly replicating the voices of the original singers. This practiced technique was the bulk of his transformation through most of the film. At the end of Kraven, however, Dimitri had gained powers with the help of a doctor in New York City. In a closing scene, the villain is shown transforming into Kraven, then into his comic book-accurate white mask. While this was a fun tease for the future of the character, the box office failure of Kraven the Hunter will likely ensure audiences will not see this chameleon again. Unfortunately, this version of the character simply feels unfulfilled, making his inclusion in the film ultimately disappointing. Why The Chameleon Deserved An On-Screen Redemption The Villain Has Been Around In Spider-Man Lore For Decades Close Chameleon is one of the few Spider-Man villains who haven't faced the hero in live-action, despite the fact that he is one of Peter's earliest foes. The character appeared in the first issue of The Amazing Spider-Man in 1963, and has appeared many times in the comics since. Following this, it makes sense that Chameleon should have more screen time. With transformative powers and a great deal of history to pull from, there is much that remains to be done with Dmitri. It remains to be seen if the animated version of this villain is only a one-off appearance. Many characters from the comics have been inserted into the animated series, and while many of these will likely be fulfilled, this is also a multiversal story where not everything needs to go according to comic lore. Still, Chameleon needs to appear in more stories, and this is at the very least an excellent hint at the future direction of Spider-Man and his rogues in animated media
Spider-Man Chameleon Kraven The Hunter Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Marvel Cinematic Universe Animated Series Superheroes Comics
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