The “Venom” franchise has become a powerhouse in the superhero genre, with its unique blend of action, dark humor, and the eerie dynamic between Eddie Brock and his symbiotic partner, Venom. As anticipation builds for “Venom 3,” many fans are eager to know more about Toxin, one of the most fearsome symbiotes in the Marvel Universe. More importantly, speculation has arisen about which actor will play this critical role in the upcoming film.
Background of the Venom Franchise
The “Venom” movies, starting with the 2018 release, brought the famous Marvel anti-hero to life. Played by Tom Hardy, Eddie Brock is a conflicted journalist who becomes the host for Venom, an alien symbiote with deadly abilities. The films are set in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU), a separate cinematic entity from the main Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), though recent crossovers have hinted at potential connections.
In “Venom” (2018), audiences were introduced to the chaotic and symbiotic relationship between Eddie Brock and Venom. In “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” (2021), we met Carnage, another powerful symbiote bonded with the serial killer Cletus Kasady, played by Woody Harrelson. However, the introduction of Carnage was just the beginning. With the announcement of “Venom 3,” fans were eager to see if another powerful symbiote would make its debut: Toxin.
Who is Toxin in the Marvel Comics?
Before diving into casting details, it’s crucial to understand Toxin’s significance in the Marvel Comics. Toxin is one of the most powerful and dangerous symbiotes. First appearing in 2004 in “Venom vs. Carnage,” Toxin is the offspring of Carnage. In the comic storyline, Carnage, known for his bloodlust and psychopathic tendencies, becomes afraid of his child’s potential strength and seeks to kill it before it grows too powerful. Venom, however, sees Toxin as a potential ally and protector.
Toxin bonds with Patrick Mulligan, a New York City police officer, who becomes its host. Mulligan struggles to control Toxin’s violent urges, much like Eddie Brock’s relationship with Venom. Despite Toxin’s chaotic nature, Mulligan attempts to use its powers for good, positioning Toxin as a hero—or at least an anti-hero—rather than a villain.
The complexity of Toxin lies in its duality. It represents both great power and great instability. While it is born from a lineage of destruction—Carnage and Venom—Toxin has the potential to become something more than just another monster. This makes Toxin’s role in the “Venom” films not only action-packed but also thematically rich.
Casting Toxin in Venom 3: Key Considerations
When it comes to casting Toxin in “Venom 3,” the actor chosen will need to embody several important qualities. First, they must have the physical presence to handle a demanding, action-heavy role. Secondly, they should possess strong dramatic chops to handle the internal struggle between the symbiote and the host.
Furthermore, the actor must bring out Patrick Mulligan’s humanity. Mulligan, as a police officer, is a man dedicated to upholding the law, but he finds himself hosting a creature with the potential for unparalleled chaos. This dynamic requires the actor to balance heroism and inner turmoil.
It’s also important to consider Toxin’s voice. Just as Tom Hardy voices both Eddie Brock and Venom with distinct characteristics, the actor portraying Toxin will likely have to do the same, giving the symbiote its own unique voice and personality.
Who is Patrick Mulligan in the Venom Cinematic Universe?
Patrick Mulligan has already been introduced to the “Venom” cinematic universe. In “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” actor Stephen Graham played Detective Mulligan, a key character in the movie. By the end of the film, it is implied that Mulligan is on the verge of becoming the host for Toxin. His eyes glow blue, and his fate seems to be sealed. This cliffhanger left fans speculating that Toxin would play a major role in the next installment of the franchise.
Graham is a highly respected actor, known for his intense performances in films like “Snatch” (2000) and “The Irishman” (2019), as well as in television shows like “Boardwalk Empire.” His ability to portray tough, morally complex characters makes him an ideal choice to bring Patrick Mulligan to life.
However, while Stephen Graham has already portrayed Mulligan, there’s still some debate about whether he will continue in the role, especially considering the physical demands of playing a character like Toxin.
Why Stephen Graham Is a Likely Choice
Stephen Graham’s involvement in “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” sets him up as the frontrunner for Toxin. Here’s why he could be the perfect choice for the role:
Proven Acting Ability: Graham has a long history of delivering powerful, nuanced performances. His roles often involve characters struggling with moral dilemmas, which is key for Patrick Mulligan. The conflict between maintaining his humanity and controlling Toxin’s violent tendencies would allow Graham to showcase his dramatic range.
Physicality: Although Graham is not typically associated with action-heavy roles, modern CGI and stunt doubles could easily help him perform the more physically demanding scenes. His acting would bring depth to the character, while technology could handle the rest.
Continuity: Audiences have already been introduced to Stephen Graham as Patrick Mulligan. Recasting the role could potentially disrupt the continuity of the character’s arc. Keeping Graham in the role would create a smoother transition from “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” to “Venom 3.”
While Graham’s return seems likely, it’s important to consider the possibility of another actor stepping into the role of Toxin.
See also: When Will Venom 3 Be Released?
Other Potential Actors to Play Toxin
Although Stephen Graham is the most obvious choice to continue playing Patrick Mulligan and Toxin, the world of Hollywood casting is unpredictable. Several actors could be in the running if the filmmakers decide to take the character in a different direction.
Here are a few actors who could potentially step into the role:
Tom Hardy: While this may seem far-fetched, it wouldn’t be the first time an actor has played multiple roles in a franchise. Tom Hardy, already known for his dual performance as Eddie Brock and Venom, has the acting chops to handle another symbiote relationship. Hardy’s intense, brooding style could work well for the role of Toxin, adding a new layer to the character.
Joel Edgerton: Known for his roles in “Warrior” (2011) and “The Gift” (2015), Edgerton has a strong physical presence and an ability to portray characters dealing with inner conflict. He could bring a raw, grounded intensity to the role of Patrick Mulligan.
Cillian Murphy: Best known for his role as Thomas Shelby in “Peaky Blinders” and as Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow in Christopher Nolan’s “Dark Knight” trilogy, Murphy could bring an eerie, psychological edge to Toxin. His experience playing morally complex characters would suit the role of Patrick Mulligan well.
Jake Gyllenhaal: Gyllenhaal has already appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Mysterio in “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” but that doesn’t necessarily rule him out for a role in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. Gyllenhaal’s versatility as an actor and his ability to portray psychological tension make him a solid candidate for Toxin.
Scott Eastwood: As a younger actor with a growing resume in action films, Eastwood could bring the necessary physicality to the role of Toxin. His roles in movies like “Pacific Rim: Uprising” (2018) and “The Fate of the Furious” (2017) have shown that he can handle action-heavy characters while maintaining a sense of vulnerability.
Will Toxin Be the Main Villain in Venom 3?
While much of the excitement around “Venom 3” centers on the introduction of Toxin, it remains unclear whether Toxin will serve as the main antagonist of the film. In the comics, Toxin is more of an anti-hero than a villain, constantly struggling to control its darker impulses.
It’s possible that “Venom 3” could follow a similar trajectory to the second film, where Eddie Brock/Venom teams up with another character to take down a greater threat. Toxin could initially be presented as an adversary to Venom, only for the two to join forces against a common enemy.
Alternatively, Toxin could start as a villain but gradually evolve into a more heroic figure by the end of the film. This would allow the character to be developed more fully, possibly setting up future appearances in the Sony Spider-Man Universe or even crossovers with other Marvel characters.
Conclusion
The question of who will play Toxin in “Venom 3” is one of the most intriguing aspects of the upcoming film. Stephen Graham, having already been introduced as Patrick Mulligan, seems like the most likely candidate to continue in the role. However, Hollywood is full of surprises, and there are several other actors who could potentially step into the role.
Whoever ends up playing Toxin will have a lot to live up to. The character is one of the most powerful symbiotes in the Marvel Universe, and its relationship with its host is full of dramatic potential. “Venom 3” promises to deliver more action, more dark humor, and more symbiotic chaos, and Toxin is sure to be at the center of it all.
Ultimately, fans will have to wait for more official announcements to know for sure who will portray this formidable character. But one thing is certain: Toxin’s appearance in “Venom 3” is bound to leave a lasting impact on the franchise.
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Who Will Be The Villain In Venom 3?