The Venom film series has captivated audiences with its gritty portrayal of Eddie Brock and his chaotic relationship with the alien symbiote Venom. As fans eagerly anticipate the release of Venom 3, one of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind is: Which symbiote will be in Venom 3? In this article, we will explore possible symbiotes that could appear in the next installment, based on existing comic book lore, clues from the previous films, and various fan theories. We will also dive into the history of symbiotes in Marvel comics and their impact on the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
The Symbiotes: A Brief Introduction
Symbiotes are a race of extraterrestrial creatures in the Marvel Universe, known as the Klyntar. They bond with other beings, usually humans, to create powerful combinations. These bonds allow them to survive and thrive in different environments, but they also influence the emotions and behaviors of their hosts. Symbiotes enhance their host’s abilities, often giving them superhuman strength, agility, and other powers.
The most famous of these symbiotes is Venom, but he is far from the only one. Over the years, Marvel has introduced a variety of symbiotes, each with its own unique powers and personalities. Many of these have appeared in the comics, while some have been featured in various animated series and video games.
The Relationship Between Eddie Brock and Venom
At the core of the Venom series is the bond between Eddie Brock and Venom. In both the comics and films, this relationship is central to the story. Eddie, a down-on-his-luck journalist, becomes the host for Venom, and together they form an uneasy partnership. Venom gives Eddie powers, but also influences his mind, leading to internal struggles between the two.
In the Venom films, Eddie and Venom’s relationship has been portrayed as both humorous and dramatic. They bicker like an old married couple but also share moments of mutual understanding. This dynamic has resonated with audiences and is likely to continue playing a significant role in Venom 3. But the presence of another symbiote could complicate things further.
Symbiotes Introduced in the Venom Film Series So Far
Before we dive into potential symbiotes for Venom 3, let’s take a look at the symbiotes that have already appeared in the first two films.
Riot (Venom, 2018)
In the first Venom film, the main antagonist was Riot, another symbiote from the same alien race as Venom. Riot bonded with Carlton Drake, the CEO of the Life Foundation, and served as the film’s primary villain. Riot was more ruthless and powerful than Venom, showcasing abilities like creating weapons out of his body and having greater control over his host.
Riot’s appearance set the tone for the future of the Venom series by introducing the idea that there are multiple symbiotes, each with unique abilities and personalities.
Carnage (Venom: Let There Be Carnage, 2021)
The second film, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, introduced one of the most famous symbiotes from Marvel comics: Carnage. Carnage is the offspring of Venom, created when Eddie Brock’s cellmate, Cletus Kasady, comes into contact with the Venom symbiote. Unlike Venom, who has a code of honor (albeit a twisted one), Carnage is pure chaos and destruction. In the comics, Carnage is one of Spider-Man and Venom’s most dangerous enemies due to his complete lack of morality and his overwhelming power.
Let There Be Carnage depicted the violent and destructive relationship between Kasady and Carnage, making him a memorable villain. However, by the end of the movie, Carnage was defeated, leaving room for new symbiotes to enter the picture.
See also: Will Venom 3 Feature Tom Holland?
Possible Symbiotes for Venom 3
Given the symbiotes introduced so far, the question remains: which symbiote will be featured in Venom 3? Let’s explore some of the most likely candidates.
Toxin
Toxin is one of the most highly anticipated symbiotes for Venom 3. In the comics, Toxin is the offspring of Carnage, making him Venom’s “grandchild” in a sense. Toxin bonded with a New York City police officer named Patrick Mulligan and became a hero, fighting against both villains and other symbiotes.
Toxin is often portrayed as being even more powerful than both Venom and Carnage, which makes him a formidable opponent or ally. He struggles with his darker tendencies, much like Venom, and has a complex moral compass. Given that the second film introduced Carnage, it’s highly possible that Toxin could appear in Venom 3.
In fact, Patrick Mulligan was introduced in Venom: Let There Be Carnage, played by Stephen Graham. In the film, Mulligan is a detective who becomes entangled in the conflict between Eddie Brock, Carnage, and Shriek. By the end of the movie, it is hinted that Mulligan may have been infected by a symbiote, potentially setting the stage for his transformation into Toxin.
Anti-Venom
Another possible symbiote for Venom 3 is Anti-Venom. This symbiote is a unique variation of Venom that was created when Eddie Brock was cured of cancer. The healing powers used to cure him interacted with trace remnants of the Venom symbiote in his body, creating Anti-Venom. Unlike other symbiotes, Anti-Venom has healing abilities and can cleanse other beings of their symbiotes. He is also immune to traditional symbiote weaknesses like fire and sound.
Anti-Venom is a particularly interesting character because of his potential to act as both a hero and an antagonist. In the comics, Anti-Venom has often been portrayed as a force of good, fighting to cleanse the world of evil symbiotes. However, his relationship with Venom is complex, and this could lead to an intriguing dynamic in Venom 3 if he were to appear.
Introducing Anti-Venom into the film series would also offer new storytelling possibilities, as his abilities are unlike those of any other symbiote we’ve seen so far. His healing powers could create dramatic tension, especially if they were used against Venom.
Knull: The Symbiote God
One of the more ambitious theories about Venom 3 involves the possible introduction of Knull, the god of the symbiotes. Knull is a relatively recent addition to Marvel’s comic book universe, but he has quickly become a fan-favorite villain. Knull is the creator of the symbiotes and wields immense cosmic power. He is able to control all symbiotes and has ambitions of universal conquest.
Introducing Knull into Venom 3 would be a bold move, but it could also elevate the series to a more cosmic level. The Venom films have so far stayed grounded in a more street-level narrative, focusing on Eddie Brock’s personal struggles. However, bringing Knull into the story could open the door for more grandiose plots, potentially tying the Venom series into the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
In the comics, Knull’s storyline intersects with several major Marvel characters, including Spider-Man and the Avengers. While the Venom series has largely been separate from the MCU, the post-credits scene of Let There Be Carnage hinted at a potential crossover. If Knull were to appear, it could serve as a bridge between the Venom films and the larger Marvel universe.
Scorn
Another possible symbiote for Venom 3 is Scorn. Scorn is a relatively lesser-known symbiote in the comics, but she has an interesting backstory. Scorn is an offspring of Carnage and has the unique ability to bond with technology, allowing her to interface with machines and control them.
Scorn could provide a new twist to the symbiote formula, as her technological abilities make her different from other symbiotes we’ve seen. She also has a complicated relationship with her “family,” having been born from Carnage but not necessarily sharing his chaotic nature. Introducing Scorn into Venom 3 could add a fresh layer of complexity to the film’s narrative.
Sleeper
Sleeper is another potential symbiote that could make an appearance in Venom 3. Sleeper is one of the more recent additions to the symbiote family in the comics, and he is the seventh spawn of Venom. Unlike his siblings, Sleeper is more thoughtful and less violent. He has unique abilities, such as generating various chemicals that can influence others’ emotions or create toxins.
Sleeper is also unique in that he prefers to bond with hosts on a more temporary basis, unlike other symbiotes who form long-term partnerships with their hosts. This could provide an interesting dynamic in the film, especially if Sleeper were to bond with multiple characters throughout the story.
Sleeper’s appearance would also allow for more nuanced storytelling, as he isn’t as straightforwardly evil as some of the other symbiotes. His ability to manipulate emotions could create intriguing conflicts and alliances in Venom 3.
The Role of Spider-Man in the Symbiote Saga
One of the most exciting possibilities for Venom 3 is the potential involvement of Spider-Man. In the comics, Spider-Man plays a crucial role in the symbiote saga, as he was the first human to bond with the Venom symbiote. This connection has led to some of the most iconic storylines in Marvel history, including the infamous “Venom vs. Spider-Man” battles.
The post-credits scene of Venom: Let There Be Carnage hinted at a possible crossover with the MCU’s Spider-Man. This has led to widespread speculation that Spider-Man could appear in Venom 3, either as an ally or an adversary. If Spider-Man were to join the fray, it could dramatically alter the dynamics of the symbiote story, especially if the film introduces new symbiotes like Toxin or Anti-Venom.
Spider-Man’s involvement would also raise the stakes, as his presence would likely draw more attention from other heroes and villains in the MCU. This could lead to a much larger, more interconnected storyline, potentially setting up future crossovers or spin-offs.
Conclusion
As we eagerly await the release of Venom 3, the question of which symbiote will be featured remains one of the most intriguing mysteries. With possibilities like Toxin, Anti-Venom, Knull, Scorn, and Sleeper, the film has a wealth of symbiotes to choose from. Each of these characters brings its own unique abilities and storylines, which could add depth and complexity to the Venom series.
Whether the film continues to explore the chaotic relationship between Eddie Brock and Venom or introduces new threats, one thing is certain: Venom 3 is poised to deliver even more symbiote action, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
Related topic:
Will Anti-Venom Be in Venom 3?
Will Venom 3 Be the Last Movie?
Will We See Toxin in Venom 3? [Revealed]