The character Carnage, also known as Cletus Kasady, made a significant impact in the second Venom film, Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021). As a vicious, chaotic villain, his inclusion in the Venom cinematic universe has raised questions about whether he will return in Venom 3. In this article, we will explore Carnage’s character, his role in the Venom films, his comic book history, and speculate about his potential return in Venom 3.
Carnage’s Origins and Role in the Comics
Cletus Kasady: The Man Behind the Monster
Carnage, as a character, has a rich and terrifying origin story in the Marvel Comics universe. Cletus Kasady, who becomes Carnage, is a psychopath and serial killer. First introduced in The Amazing Spider-Man #344 (1991), Kasady is the definition of chaotic evil. Unlike Eddie Brock, the host for Venom, Kasady has no moral compass or sense of justice. He kills indiscriminately for his own pleasure.
The symbiote known as Carnage bonds with Kasady when Eddie Brock’s Venom symbiote spawns a new entity during a prison break. This new symbiote bonds with Kasady, who already had a violent nature, amplifying his sadistic tendencies. Carnage is more powerful than Venom and Spider-Man combined due to his symbiotic link with Kasady’s blood, making him a force to be reckoned with in the comics.
Carnage’s Powers and Abilities
Carnage’s powers are derived from the symbiote, and he shares many of Venom’s abilities, such as superhuman strength, speed, agility, and the power to heal from most wounds. What makes Carnage stand out is his ability to shape his symbiote into weapons, usually deadly blades or tendrils, making him a formidable foe. His unpredictability and lack of morality give him an edge, as he’s willing to do anything to achieve his goals, making him one of Spider-Man and Venom’s deadliest enemies.
Carnage in Major Comic Storylines
Carnage has played a central role in several major Marvel Comics storylines. One of the most famous is Maximum Carnage (1993), a 14-part crossover event that ran through several Spider-Man comics. In this storyline, Carnage escapes from prison and, along with a team of supervillains, wreaks havoc on New York City. Spider-Man, Venom, and a group of other heroes join forces to stop him.
Carnage has also been central in the Carnage USA storyline, where he takes over a small town and controls its inhabitants using pieces of his symbiote. This showed how dangerous Carnage could be when allowed to unleash his full power.
Carnage in the Venom Films
Carnage’s Introduction in Venom: Let There Be Carnage
Cletus Kasady/Carnage was introduced to the Venom cinematic universe in Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), portrayed by Woody Harrelson. The post-credits scene of Venom (2018) hinted at Carnage’s arrival, showing Eddie Brock visiting Cletus Kasady in prison. Fans immediately recognized the potential for an explosive sequel, given the villain’s comic book history.
In Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Kasady becomes Carnage after bonding with a symbiote born from Venom. This film showcased a deadly battle between Venom and Carnage, with the latter pushing the limits of violence and chaos. The final showdown between the two symbiotes was visually striking, and although Venom emerged victorious, Carnage left a lasting impression on audiences.
Carnage’s Fate in Venom: Let There Be Carnage
At the end of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, both Cletus Kasady and his symbiote, Carnage, are defeated. Venom consumes Carnage, and Eddie Brock bites Kasady’s head off, seemingly putting an end to the villain’s rampage. This climactic moment led many fans to believe that Carnage’s story was over, at least in the context of the Venom films.
However, comic book villains rarely stay dead, and there’s always the possibility of Carnage’s return. Given the character’s popularity and the rich storytelling potential surrounding him, it’s worth exploring the likelihood of his resurrection in Venom 3.
Will Carnage Return in Venom 3?
Possibilities for Carnage’s Resurrection
Even though Cletus Kasady and the Carnage symbiote were seemingly destroyed in Venom: Let There Be Carnage, there are several ways the character could return in Venom 3. In the comics, symbiotes have regenerative abilities and can survive even after being torn apart. If a piece of the Carnage symbiote survived, it could regenerate and bond with a new host, or even Kasady once more.
Additionally, Marvel has often used science fiction and mystical elements to bring characters back from the dead. It’s possible that Venom 3 could explore these avenues, perhaps introducing a new symbiote or a cloned version of Carnage.
Alternate Hosts for Carnage
In the comics, Cletus Kasady is not the only host for Carnage. Over the years, other characters have bonded with the symbiote, including Ben Reilly (a clone of Peter Parker) and Norman Osborn (the Green Goblin). If Kasady is indeed dead, Venom 3 could introduce one of these alternate hosts or create a new character entirely to take on the Carnage mantle. This could provide fresh storytelling opportunities while still bringing back the Carnage symbiote as a central villain.
The Symbiote’s Potential to Spawn New Villains
Even if Carnage does not return in his original form, the symbiote mythos allows for new villains to emerge. The Venom films have already introduced the concept of symbiote offspring, as seen with Carnage being born from Venom. This opens the door for new symbiote villains in Venom 3, either connected to Carnage or entirely new threats.
One possibility is the introduction of Toxin, another symbiote offspring of Carnage, who is even more powerful than his predecessor. This would allow the Venom films to continue the symbiote legacy without relying on Carnage directly, while still maintaining a connection to his story.
See also: Will We See Toxin in Venom 3? [Revealed]
Woody Harrelson’s Role as Cletus Kasady
Harrelson’s Performance in Venom: Let There Be Carnage
Woody Harrelson’s portrayal of Cletus Kasady/Carnage was one of the standout elements of Venom: Let There Be Carnage. Harrelson brought a chaotic energy to the role, perfectly capturing Kasady’s unhinged personality. His performance balanced the character’s sadism with a certain dark charisma, making Carnage both terrifying and captivating to watch.
Given the positive reception to Harrelson’s performance, it’s possible that Sony Pictures would want to bring him back for Venom 3, either through flashbacks, dream sequences, or even a full resurrection of the character. Harrelson’s star power and acting ability make him a valuable asset to the franchise, and his return could boost interest in the third film.
Potential for Harrelson’s Return in Venom 3
Even though Kasady was seemingly killed at the end of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, it’s possible that Harrelson could reprise his role in Venom 3. As mentioned earlier, comic book films often find creative ways to bring characters back from the dead. Whether through a cloning storyline, an alternate universe, or a resurrection via symbiote, there are multiple ways for Kasady to return.
Additionally, Harrelson’s portrayal of Kasady was well-received, and his return would likely excite fans of the character. If Carnage does return in Venom 3, it’s hard to imagine anyone other than Harrelson in the role, given how iconic his performance has become.
Potential Storylines for Venom 3
Carnage and the Multiverse
One of the most exciting developments in recent Marvel films is the exploration of the multiverse. With films like Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) delving into alternate realities, it’s possible that Venom 3 could follow suit. This opens the door for a multiverse version of Carnage to appear, perhaps from an alternate timeline where Cletus Kasady survived or never became Carnage in the first place.
The multiverse would allow the Venom films to bring back Carnage without undoing his death in Venom: Let There Be Carnage. It would also provide opportunities for unique storylines and character interactions, as the multiverse often leads to unexpected team-ups and confrontations.
Carnage as Part of a Symbiote War
Another potential storyline for Venom 3 is the Symbiote War, a storyline from the comics that involves a large-scale conflict between different symbiotes. If Venom 3 chooses to introduce new symbiotes, either from space or created on Earth, Carnage could play a key role in this war. Whether as a resurrected villain or a new symbiote spawned from Carnage, this would allow for large-scale action and a deeper exploration of the symbiote mythos.
A Symbiote War storyline could also introduce new characters, both heroes and villains, expanding the Venom universe and setting the stage for future films. It would provide a fitting conclusion to the trilogy while also leaving the door open for future sequels or spin-offs.
Conclusion
The question of whether Carnage will return in Venom 3 is one that fans have been eagerly debating since the release of Venom: Let There Be Carnage. While the character was seemingly killed, the world of comic book films is filled with surprises, and there are several ways for Carnage to return, either through resurrection, alternate hosts, or the multiverse.
Carnage’s return would not only provide a thrilling villain for Venom 3, but it would also allow for further exploration of the symbiote mythos. Whether through Woody Harrelson’s return or the introduction of a new host, Carnage’s legacy will likely continue to play a key role in the Venom cinematic universe. Fans will have to wait for more information about Venom 3 to see if the chaotic villain will once again face off against Venom, but the possibilities are endless.
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