The world of superhero films has been expanding rapidly, with characters stepping out of the comic books and into cinemas. One of the most intriguing characters to make that leap is Eddie Brock and his alien symbiote counterpart, Venom. Introduced first in the Marvel comics, Venom has always been a complex anti-hero, oscillating between villainous tendencies and a strangely altruistic desire to protect those he bonds with. With Venom 3 on the horizon, fans and critics alike are buzzing with curiosity about what direction this film will take. What will happen next for Eddie Brock, Venom, and the world around them?
Venom: A Recap of the Journey So Far
Before diving into predictions for Venom 3, it’s essential to look back at the events of the first two films, which laid the groundwork for what is to come.
Venom (2018)
The first Venom movie was released in 2018 and became an unexpected hit. It introduced us to Eddie Brock (played by Tom Hardy), an investigative journalist with a penchant for getting into trouble. Eddie’s life takes a dramatic turn when he bonds with an alien symbiote named Venom. Unlike other alien creatures, Venom doesn’t merely use its host for survival but forms a symbiotic relationship with Eddie, giving him superhuman abilities while also making him a target for various enemies.
The first film largely focused on the dynamic between Eddie and Venom, as they learned to coexist while battling threats from the Life Foundation. It set a tone of humor, action, and a strange buddy-comedy vibe that resonated with audiences, separating Venom from more traditional superhero movies.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)
The second installment, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, took things up a notch. Directed by Andy Serkis, the film pitted Eddie and Venom against one of the most iconic villains from the comics, Carnage. Carnage is the result of another symbiote bonding with the serial killer Cletus Kasady (played by Woody Harrelson). The film explored the turbulent relationship between Eddie and Venom, which had become strained by their constant bickering. It also delved into the nature of symbiotic bonds, showing how Venom and Carnage, despite both being symbiotes, have very different relationships with their hosts.
By the end of the movie, Carnage is defeated, but Let There Be Carnage left viewers with a tantalizing post-credits scene that set the stage for potential crossovers with the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Venom 3: What Can We Expect?
With Venom 3 officially in development, speculation is running high. While details are still tightly under wraps, several hints from previous films, interviews, and comic book lore give us some clues about what we might see in the next installment.
Eddie and Venom’s Relationship
One of the central elements of the Venom films has been the unique relationship between Eddie and the symbiote. Unlike traditional superheroes who have a clear mission and sense of self, Eddie and Venom are in a constant state of negotiation. Eddie, a flawed human, is often reluctant to embrace the violent, chaotic nature of Venom. Meanwhile, Venom, an alien creature driven by hunger and primal instincts, struggles to understand human morality and emotions.
In Venom 2, the tension between the two reached a breaking point, with Venom briefly leaving Eddie to find a new host. Although they reunited in the end, this strained relationship is likely to continue evolving in Venom 3. Will Eddie finally embrace Venom’s power fully, or will their conflicting natures lead to a more permanent separation?
Moreover, the development of Venom as a character is something that can’t be overlooked. In the comics, Venom has fluctuated between villain and anti-hero. The films have leaned more heavily into the anti-hero narrative, but as the character evolves, there may be room for darker, more villainous tendencies to surface.
MCU Crossovers: What Did the Post-Credit Scene Mean?
One of the biggest talking points after Let There Be Carnage was the post-credit scene, which showed Eddie and Venom seemingly transported into the MCU. The scene was brief but significant, as it showed Venom reacting to a TV news broadcast featuring Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. This implied that Venom now exists in the same universe as Spider-Man, which opened the door for potential crossovers in future films.
However, Venom’s appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home was equally brief, with Eddie and Venom being returned to their universe by the end of the film. This leaves several questions unanswered: Will Venom and Spider-Man meet again? Will the two characters have a more substantial interaction in Venom 3? Could we see a Spider-Man/Venom team-up or battle in future films?
See also: Will Venom 3 Feature Tom Holland?
Possible Villains for Venom 3
Another big question surrounding Venom 3 is who the primary antagonist will be. The first two films featured formidable enemies: the Life Foundation and their symbiotes in Venom, and Carnage in Let There Be Carnage. The challenge for Venom 3 will be to introduce a new villain who can match, or even surpass, the threat levels posed by these previous adversaries.
Here are some potential villains that could appear in Venom 3:
Toxin
Toxin is another symbiote from the Marvel comics, and there’s a strong possibility he could appear in Venom 3. In the comics, Toxin is the offspring of Carnage and bonds with a police officer named Patrick Mulligan. Interestingly, Patrick Mulligan was introduced in Let There Be Carnage, played by Stephen Graham. The film left his fate somewhat ambiguous, but it’s entirely possible that he could return as Toxin in the next movie.
Toxin is an intriguing character because he’s caught between the light and dark sides, much like Venom. He’s often portrayed as a more heroic character, but the potential for chaos is always there, especially if he and Venom come into conflict. This dynamic could offer a fresh take on the symbiote battles we’ve seen in the previous films.
Knull: The God of Symbiotes
For fans of the comics, the introduction of Knull, the god of symbiotes, would be a dream come true. Knull is a primordial deity who created the symbiotes, and his introduction could take the Venom franchise in a much darker and more cosmic direction. The Venom films have so far been relatively grounded, despite their sci-fi elements, but bringing Knull into the mix would elevate the stakes to a whole new level.
If Venom 3 were to introduce Knull, it could open the door to exploring the symbiote’s origins and their place in the broader universe. This could also tie into the potential MCU crossovers, as Knull has connections to several Marvel characters and storylines, including Thor and the Guardians of the Galaxy.
Other Symbiote Offspring
While Carnage was the offspring of Venom, the comics introduce several other symbiotes that could potentially make their way into the films. Characters like Agony, Phage, Lasher, and Riot all have their roots in the comics and could provide additional challenges for Eddie and Venom in future films. These symbiotes, each with their own distinct abilities and personalities, could lead to an all-out symbiote war in Venom 3.
Other Potential Villains: The Jackal and Scorpion
Beyond symbiotes, there are other villains from the Spider-Man universe who could make an appearance in Venom 3. One such character is The Jackal, a scientist who has experimented with cloning, leading to the creation of several Spider-Man-related characters. Another possibility is Scorpion, a villain who has had a symbiotic bond in the comics.
Both of these characters could offer something different from the symbiote-heavy storylines of the first two Venom films, potentially expanding the world and introducing new threats for Eddie and Venom to face.
Exploring Eddie Brock’s Character Arc
While the Venom films have primarily focused on action and spectacle, there’s also a deeper character study at play. Eddie Brock is a man who has lost much in life—his career, his relationship, and his sense of purpose. The symbiote, while granting him extraordinary powers, also represents the chaos and darkness that Eddie tries to keep at bay.
In Venom 3, we could see a further exploration of Eddie’s internal struggles. How does he cope with the reality of sharing his body with an alien creature? What impact does this have on his mental health and relationships? There’s potential for Venom 3 to delve deeper into these themes, giving the film an emotional weight that goes beyond the action sequences.
Additionally, the theme of identity is central to Eddie’s arc. Is he still Eddie Brock, or has Venom become an inseparable part of who he is? This question could be explored further in the next film, especially if Eddie’s bond with Venom faces new challenges.
The Role of Anne Weying
Michelle Williams’ character, Anne Weying, has played a significant role in both Venom and Let There Be Carnage. In the comics, Anne briefly becomes She-Venom, and while this was touched upon in the first film, there’s potential for her character to take on a more prominent role in Venom 3.
If Anne were to bond with the symbiote again, it could lead to some fascinating dynamics between her, Eddie, and Venom. There’s also the possibility that Anne could serve as a bridge between Eddie’s human life and his chaotic existence as Venom. How she fits into the larger narrative of Venom 3 remains to be seen, but her character’s evolution will be something to watch.
Conclusion
As the Venom franchise continues to evolve, there are countless directions Venom 3 could take. Whether it’s exploring Eddie and Venom’s relationship, introducing new villains like Toxin or Knull, or delving into potential crossovers with the MCU, the next installment promises to be an exciting addition to the world of superhero cinema. While the details remain speculative, one thing is certain: Venom 3 has the potential to push the boundaries of what we’ve seen from this character so far, blending action, humor, and a deeper exploration of what it means to be both human and symbiote.
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