Credit: Marvel Studios, Sony PicturesVenom 3 will seemingly bring in elements of the MCU’s Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) — but will that be enough to save the Sony project?
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The story of Peter Parker, a young native of Queens, New York, who experiences a life-altering event and transforms into the iconic Spider-Man after being bitten by a radioactive spider, is so universally recognized that the phrase “with great power comes great responsibility” has become ingrained in the collective consciousness.
Marvel Comics’ celebrated narrative introduces a beloved ensemble of characters (and adversaries), such as Uncle Ben, Aunt May, Mary Jane Watson, Harry Osborn, the Green Goblin/Norman Osborn, and Doc Ock/Doctor Octopus/Otto Octavius — all within the vibrant setting of New York City. The Spider-Man saga has undergone numerous reinterpretations across various media platforms, spanning from animated adaptations to live-action films and beyond. It has solidified its place as a timeless masterpiece within the realm of superhero storytelling.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe led by The Walt Disney Company-owned Marvel Studios has brought Tom Holland’s Peter Parker/Spider-Man to prominence, with Sony (who own the Spider-Man franchise rights) giving up creative direction to Kevin Feige’s Marvel Studios. But now, Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU) is primed to make its big comeback with their biggest money maker, in the Tom Hardy-led Venom 3.
And it seems as if Sony is doing what Sony normally does — trying very hard to bring their movies as close to Marvel Studios’ as possible, according to this first look at the new Venom film from Venom/Eddie Brock actor Tom Hardy.
Related: As Tom Holland Is No Longer Spider-Man, Marvel Builds “Badass Female” Spider Team
The Sony Spider-Man Universe Slate: It’s Venom Time
To date, the Sony Spider-Man Universe has featured Tom Hardy’s portrayal of Eddie Brock in Venom (2018) and its sequel Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) as one of the cinematic universe’s (arguably, only) tentpole franchises.
The last time fans saw Venom and Eddie Brock on screen, it was in the Marvel Studios and Sony joint feature Spider-Man: No Way Home. The Venom Symbiote played a significant part in the film’s post credits scene, with Eddie Brock getting unceremoniously pulled back to his home universe in the SSU — accidentally leaving behind a drop of the Symbiote in the main Marvel universe.
Actor Tom Hardy himself recently took to Instagram to share a picture taken from the set of Venom 3 in London, alongside director Kelly Marcel. Most notable is the fact that Hardy is wearing the same Hawaiian shirt over the same blue and yellow Golden Gate Bridge graphic tee-shirt emblazoned with the text “CITY” from the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home, indicating that the Eddie Brock story will follow where MCU’s No Way Home ended.
The image was uploaded with the following caption by Hardy:
Two Masters of their own destiny and two randoms from SW London spinning in the cosmos one with a compass the other wears his wetsuit and carries an aubergine.
This indicates that the two films will be linked, with Sony reminding the average viewer that the worlds are connected.
What’s Next for Venom and Sony?
Kelly Marcel is writing, co-producing, and directing the new Venom movie, based on a story she crafted alongside Tom Hardy. Hardy returns to portray Eddie Brock and Venom, also taking on a producer role for the project.
In Venom 3, Tom Hardy portrays Eddie Brock, also known as Venom, an investigative journalist who becomes the host of an alien symbiote, granting him superhuman powers and transforming him into the formidable entity known as Venom.
In addition, Juno Temple has been selected for an undisclosed leading role, while Chiwetel Ejiofor and Clark Backo have been cast in undisclosed parts. Despite fans hoping for a possible Topher Grace cameo (Eddie Brock/Venom in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3), there’s no concrete word on this at the moment.
Sony Pictures Releasing has recently debuted one of the most openly criticized superhero movies yet, this year’s Madame Web by director SJ Clarkson. Madame Web starred Dakota Johnson (Fifty Shades of Grey) in the lead role of Madame Web/Cassandra Webb/Cassie Webb and Sydney Sweeney as Julia Cornwall (not Julia Carpenter)/ Spider-Woman, alongside the widely-memed Morbius (2022) starring Jared Leto as the titular character.
The introduction of Aaron Taylor Johnson’s Kraven the Hunter will also take place in the upcoming Kraven, aligning with Tom Hardy’s Venom 3, currently in production, to round out the SSU’s slate for 2024.
Are you excited for Venom 3? What do you think of the MCU and SSU keeping connections open? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!