After much anticipation, Marvel’s Venom 3 is finally a reality. The official confirmation came from Sony Pictures at CinemaCon in April 2022, stirring a frenzy among comic book enthusiasts. Bolstered by the commercial success of its precursors, the upcoming addition to the Venom series is expected to further bolster its box-office legacy.
In 2018, the Venom saga started under the direction of Ruben Fleischer, starring stalwarts such as Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, and Riz Ahmed. The film transcended all expectations, amassing a staggering worldwide gross of $856 million. A sequel was inevitable; thus, Venom: Let There Be Carnage made its debut in 2021, directed by Andy Serkis. Notwithstanding the pandemic, the movie cashed in about $507 million, solidifying Venom’s presence in Marvel’s universe.
The Unfolding of the Venom Series
Sony is keen to create its independent universe of Spider-Man’s related characters, such as Morbius, Madame Web, and Kraven the Hunter. Venom stands as a crucial pillar in this venture. Let’s delve into the evolution of the story, and what we may anticipate from Venom 3.
Retracing the Venom Narrative
The inaugural Venom movie unfolded around the Life Foundation, a bioengineering company that stumbles upon a comet teeming with symbiotic lifeforms. They smuggle four of these alien beings back to Earth. Covert experiments reveal the need for these organisms to bond with oxygen-breathing hosts for survival. Investigative journalist Eddie Brock, armed with documents about these trials from his attorney fiancée, Anne Weying, confronts Carlton Drake, the Life Foundation’s CEO. After Eddie loses his job and engagement, he is elected as a host by a symbiote named Venom. This union endows Eddie with monstrous power, enabling him to evade any assault. Although Venom is presumed dead by the conclusion of the film, he remains secretly bonded to Eddie, pledging to protect him from future threats from his alien species.
The sequel, Let There Be Carnage, introduces a serial killer, Cletus Kasady, who bites off a part of Eddie’s hand during an interview, consequently ingesting a piece of Venom. This act of cannibalism leads to the birth of the red symbiote, Carnage. Carnage pledges to assist Kasady in liberating his lover Frances, who possesses a sonic scream, from the Ravencroft Institute, in return for eliminating Eddie and Venom. In the climax, Venom consumes Carnage and dispatches Kasady, while Eddie and Venom, now fugitives, retreat on vacation to strategize their next move.
The Enigma of Venom 3
Despite the buzz surrounding Venom 3, much about the movie remains shrouded in mystery. The teaser at CinemaCon only offered a logo glimpse. The conclusion of Let There Be Carnage indicates Venom might gain a new antagonist, considering the previous villains’ death. The ending scenes suggest Detective Patrick Mulligan, presumed dead, resurrects with glowing blue eyes, hinting at a potential nemesis.
The mid-credit scenes of Let There Be Carnage teases the possibility of Eddie and Venom venturing into the multiverse. A discussion about the multiverse’s existence just before they teleport to a different dimension lends credibility to this theory. Madame Web, another film in Sony’s universe releasing before Venom 3, rumored to be a multiverse film, might create the pathway for Venom’s entry into the multiverse. Given Venom’s reputation as a ‘Lethal Protector,’ he might have a crucial role in defending someone important to the multiverse.
The post-credit scene in Spider-Man: No Way Home triggers speculation about an encounter between Venom and Spider-Man, traditionally adversaries in the comics. This theory is bolstered by a snippet of symbiote left behind when Doctor Strange’s memory-erasing spell pulls Eddie back to his dimension. Director Andy Serkis substantiated this speculation in a 2021 IGN interview:
“That’s the question on everyone’s lips. They want to know when Venom is gonna meet Spider-Man. Personally, it’s never gonna happen. Oh, I’m only joking; of course it’s gonna happen… It depends when you want to get there and also what the appetite is.”
The Venom 3 Ensemble and Crew
Venom 3‘s cast remains under wraps. Yet, Tom Hardy’s involvement as both actor and co-writer is certain. Hardy’s portrayal in the prior movies as Eddie Brock has positioned him as an indispensable component of the Venom narrative. His Instagram post about the script further corroborates his role in the forthcoming movie.
The cast might also see the return of Stephen Graham as Detective Mulligan, and Michelle Williams as Anne Weying or She-Venom. In a 2022 interview with Variety, Williams expressed her desire to reprise her role: “I have every intention of continuing with the series. I certainly hope they bring me back.” However, there is no official confirmation about Graham and Williams’ participation.
The latest additions to the cast are Juno Temple (Maleficient, Ted Lasso) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (Karl Mordo in Doctor Strange and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness), but their roles are undisclosed.
Taking the directorial reigns for Venom 3 is Kelly Marcel, the scriptwriter for both preceding Venom movies, as well as Saving Mr. Banks, Fifty Shades of Grey, and Cruella. Venom 3 marks her directorial debut, an exciting prospect considering her intimate knowledge of the Venom universe.
Venom 3 Release Date
As of now, Venom 3 is set for a July 12, 2024 release. Principal photography commenced on June 26, 2023, in Cartagena and Calblanque Regional Park, Spain. However, due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, the filming process has been disrupted.
The release of Venom 3 will mark three years since Venom: Let There Be Carnage and six years since the inaugural Venom. This time, it will be the first summer release for the franchise, unlike its predecessors that were October releases. The movie is slated to be released between Madame Web, scheduled for February 14, 2024, and Kraven the Hunter, delayed to August 30, 2024. As fans eagerly await the third installment, Venom’s legacy in the Marvel Universe continues to strengthen.
