The Venom franchise has been a significant player in Sony’s universe of Marvel characters. With two successful films (Venom in 2018 and Venom: Let There Be Carnage in 2021), there is high anticipation surrounding the third installment, Venom 3. However, as fans eagerly await the movie’s release, a pressing question looms: Will Venom 3 be the last movie in the series?
This article will examine the possibilities surrounding Venom 3, its potential status as the franchise’s final film, and the larger context of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU). We’ll also look at the direction of the storyline, the involvement of key players, and whether Sony and Marvel plan to continue expanding the universe that Venom helped establish.
The Venom Franchise So Far
Background of Venom’s Success
The first Venom movie, directed by Ruben Fleischer, was released in 2018 and served as an origin story for Eddie Brock, a journalist who becomes the host for an alien symbiote named Venom. The character of Venom has its roots in Marvel Comics and is best known as one of Spider-Man’s greatest foes, though in the film universe, Venom operates as more of an antihero.
Venom was a surprise success at the box office, despite mixed reviews from critics. The film grossed over $856 million globally, demonstrating a clear demand for the character among audiences. Tom Hardy’s portrayal of Eddie Brock and Venom was widely praised, which helped to elevate the film above its perceived limitations. The dynamic between Eddie and the symbiote Venom, combined with the film’s lighter tone compared to other superhero movies, attracted a broad fan base.
Given the film’s commercial success, it wasn’t long before a sequel, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, was greenlit. Released in 2021 and directed by Andy Serkis, the film featured Woody Harrelson as the villain Cletus Kasady (Carnage), another symbiote who becomes Venom’s archenemy. The sequel followed a similar trajectory, receiving mixed critical reception but once again succeeding at the box office, earning over $506 million worldwide despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the theater industry.
The Appeal of Antiheroes and Venom’s Unique Tone
One of the key factors behind Venom’s success lies in its unique approach to the superhero genre. Unlike the traditionally heroic figures we see in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Venom is an antihero. The relationship between Eddie and the symbiote is fraught with tension, conflict, and humor, which sets the tone for the movies.
Audiences seem to enjoy seeing flawed characters on screen, and Venom represents the chaotic side of human nature, where good and evil coexist. The lighthearted, sometimes even comedic tone of the films has set them apart from the more serious superhero narratives, which has contributed to their appeal.
Given the success of these two films, fans are naturally eager for the third movie. However, with Venom 3 in development, many are wondering if the franchise will continue beyond this third installment or if it will mark the end of Venom’s journey on the big screen.
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What We Know About Venom 3
Official Announcements and Development
Venom 3 has officially been confirmed, with Tom Hardy returning to reprise his role as Eddie Brock/Venom. Kelly Marcel, who co-wrote the first two films, is taking on the role of director for the third movie. The film is currently in the early stages of development, with pre-production beginning in 2022.
While not much has been revealed about the plot, Hardy has teased that he is heavily involved in shaping the story, even contributing to the script. He’s been vocal about his passion for the character and the franchise, which suggests that he is committed to giving the third film his all. However, this also raises the question: will Venom 3 be Hardy’s swan song as Eddie Brock?
Potential Storylines
Though the details of the plot are still under wraps, fans have been speculating about what direction Venom 3 might take. One of the biggest questions concerns the inclusion of Spider-Man. The post-credits scene in Venom: Let There Be Carnage saw Eddie Brock being transported into the MCU, where he briefly interacted with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man in Spider-Man: No Way Home. This crossover teased the possibility of a larger connection between Venom and Spider-Man, which is something fans have been clamoring for since the franchise’s inception.
There are several potential storylines that Venom 3 could explore:
Spider-Man vs. Venom: The most obvious and exciting possibility is a showdown between Tom Hardy’s Venom and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. While Venom has been an antihero in his standalone films, his origins as a Spider-Man villain in the comics make this confrontation a tantalizing prospect. The two characters exist in separate universes for now, but the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home suggest that multiverse crossovers are very much on the table.
Knull and the Symbiote God: Another potential storyline involves Knull, the god of the symbiotes, who was introduced in the Marvel Comics storyline “King in Black.” Knull is an ancient evil being who created the symbiotes, and his inclusion in the Venom movies could elevate the stakes significantly. This would also allow the franchise to delve deeper into the mythology of the symbiotes, which hasn’t been fully explored in the films yet.
Venom as a Hero: Given Venom’s evolution from a villain to an antihero, Venom 3 could further explore his journey toward becoming a more heroic figure. While the character is unlikely to ever be a traditional superhero, the third movie could solidify Venom’s role as a protector, perhaps facing an even greater threat than Carnage.
Will Venom 3 Be the Last Movie?
Tom Hardy’s Future as Venom
One of the main factors that will determine whether Venom 3 is the final film in the series is Tom Hardy’s involvement. Hardy has been the heart and soul of the franchise, and his commitment to the role is undeniable. However, he is also known for being selective about the projects he takes on, and there’s a possibility that he may want to step away from the role after the third film.
In an interview with Esquire, Hardy hinted that he views Venom 3 as a natural conclusion to the story he’s been telling. He said, “We are in the planning stages right now, but I think that once this story is told, that will be the end.” While this statement isn’t definitive, it does suggest that Hardy sees Venom 3 as the final chapter in his portrayal of the character.
However, Hardy’s involvement doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the franchise. If Venom 3 proves to be a massive success, Sony could choose to continue the series with or without Hardy. There’s also the possibility that Hardy could return for future films in a reduced capacity, such as a cameo or supporting role, while passing the torch to a new character.
The Role of the Sony Spider-Man Universe
Sony’s broader plans for its Spider-Man Universe (SSU) will also play a significant role in determining the future of the Venom franchise. The SSU includes films like Morbius and the upcoming Kraven the Hunter, all of which exist in the same universe as Venom. Sony has been steadily building out this universe, and Venom has been one of its most successful properties so far.
Given the interconnected nature of these films, it’s unlikely that Sony will abandon the Venom character entirely after Venom 3. Even if the third movie marks the end of Eddie Brock’s story, the symbiote itself could continue to play a role in the SSU, either by bonding with a new host or appearing in crossover films with other characters from Sony’s Marvel roster.
There’s also the question of whether Sony and Marvel Studios will continue to collaborate on crossovers between the SSU and the MCU. The post-credits scene in Spider-Man: No Way Home hinted at a connection between the two universes, and fans have been speculating about the possibility of a larger crossover event. If Sony and Marvel decide to fully integrate the SSU into the MCU, Venom could continue to play a major role in future films, even if Venom 3 is the last standalone movie for the character.
Conclusion
Will Venom 3 be the last movie in the franchise? While there are many factors to consider, the answer isn’t entirely clear. On one hand, Tom Hardy’s comments suggest that the third film could serve as a conclusion to his portrayal of Eddie Brock and Venom. On the other hand, Sony’s broader plans for the SSU and the enduring popularity of the character mean that Venom could continue to play a role in future films, whether through spin-offs, reboots, or crossovers with other characters.
Ultimately, the future of the Venom franchise will depend on a combination of factors, including the success of Venom 3, Tom Hardy’s willingness to continue in the role, and Sony’s plans for its Marvel characters. Fans will have to wait and see what the future holds, but one thing is certain: Venom’s journey is far from over, and whether Venom 3 is the last movie or not, the character will continue to be a major player in the world of superhero films.
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