Murat Seven Enters the Spider-Verse as Ömer Ozdemir in ‘Kraven the Hunter‘ where we talk about our similar upbringings and forging forward with international projects.
Murat Seven is making waves with his portrayal of Ömer Ozdemir in ‘Kraven the Hunter‘, a dynamic new villain in the action-packed film that takes place in Sony’s Spider-Men universe. This latest installment introduces a ruthless kidnapper-for-hire working for Kraven’s enemies, a character played by Seven, who brings a gritty intensity to the role. Seven’s character adds depth to the narrative, facing off against Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s titular Kraven, a complex man shaped by his difficult relationship with his 
father, Nikolai Kravinoff (played by Russell Crowe). Directed by J.C. Chandor, known for his critically acclaimed work on ‘Triple Frontier’ and ‘A Most Violent Year‘, the film is a standalone origin story for the iconic Marvel villain, packed with action and emotion.
Seven, born in Germany to Turkish/Kurdish parents, shares a unique connection with the film’s cultural setting, and his own background of being a first-generation immigrant resonates with his portrayal of Ömer. Much like the character he plays, Seven’s upbringing shaped his resilience, and he speaks about balancing his cultural heritage with the pursuit of his dreams. Teasingly, I question how his immigrant parents insisted that he pursue a formal degree before he was allowed to fully embrace a career in the arts—a humorous, yet relatable part of his journey and my own. This shared experience of being the first generation in our respective families—Seven in Germany, and myself in the United States—gives us a deeper connection, as we both navigate the balancing act of honoring family expectations while forging our own paths in creative fields.
Before ‘Kraven the Hunter‘, Seven starred in ‘The Ottoman Lieutenant‘ alongside Michiel Huisman, Josh Hartnett, and Ben Kingsley, and his portrayal of the head of a Turkish crime family in Netflix’s ‘Undercover‘ further demonstrated his versatility as an actor. His role in ‘Kraven the Hunter‘ is another powerful addition to his growing list of diverse performances. Seven’s commitment to his craft shines through in his seamless execution of the film’s action sequences, and his passion for storytelling continues to elevate his career. As he steps further into the global spotlight, it’s clear that Seven’s journey is just beginning.
‘Kraven the Hunter‘ is in theaters now.
