In 2018, Sony Pictures embarked on a bold endeavor to continue producing Marvel movies without Marvel Studios’ direct involvement. The inaugural movie in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe was Venom, centered around one of Spidey’s formidable adversaries, previously portrayed by Topher Grace in 2007’s Spider-Man 3. Tom Hardy (The Dark Knight Rises) took on the dual role of reporter Eddie Brock and the titular alien symbiote that merges with him. Unlike Sony’s subsequent film, Morbius, Venom proved to be a resounding success, amassing $856.1 million worldwide.
Hardy reprised his dual roles in 2021’s Venom: Let There Be Carnage, which also surpassed box office expectations in the post-pandemic landscape. Later this year, Hardy will once again return as Eddie and Venom in Venom 3, a film touted as the concluding chapter in this trilogy. However, Venom 3 may not mark the end of Hardy’s superhero journey, especially after his cameo appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in 2021.
To keep everyone abreast of the upcoming superhero sequel, we delve into everything we know about Venom 3.
Who is directing Venom 3?
Following in the footsteps of previous Venom directors Ruben Fleischer and Andy Serkis, Kelly Marcel makes her directorial debut with Venom 3. Marcel transitioned from acting to screenwriting, penning the scripts for the first two Venom films. Her writing credits also include Saving Mr. Banks and Fifty Shades of Grey, as well as the television series Terra Nova and The Changeling.
What’s the plot of Venom 3?
Sony has yet to divulge any concrete details regarding the plot of Venom 3. We remain in the dark about which characters will appear beyond Eddie and Venom. However, we can confirm that Hardy and Marcel collaborated on the story, as they did for Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
The previous film concluded with Eddie Brock on the run after Venom facilitated his escape from prison. Their brief sojourn into the MCU in the post-credits scene temporarily sidetracked that subplot. Venom 3 is likely to resume that narrative thread now that Eddie and Venom have returned to their familiar surroundings.
In addition, we may infer that Venom 3 will shift the action beyond San Francisco’s confines to an international stage. Parts of the film were shot on location in Spain and London, suggesting that the story may unfold in those locations as well. This development raises two significant questions: Why are Eddie and Venom in Europe, and who will they encounter?
Who is starring in Venom 3?
Aside from Hardy as Eddie Brock and Venom, only two cast members have been officially confirmed for Venom 3: Juno Temple from Ted Lasso and Chiwetel Ejiofor from Doctor Strange. Despite Ejiofor’s Marvel background, it is highly unlikely that he will reprise his role as Karl Mordo in this film. Ejiofor will most likely portray an entirely different character, but it remains unknown whether he will align with Eddie or serve as the film’s primary antagonist. Similarly, we have no information about Temple’s character in the film. It has merely been confirmed that Temple will play a co-lead role in Venom 3, indicating that she will likely be associated with Venom and potentially even become a romantic interest for Eddie.
Will the other cast members from Venom return?
While it seems logical to expect the supporting cast from the first two films to return, none of them have been officially confirmed. Michelle Williams portrayed Eddie’s ex-fiancée, Anne Weying, in the first two movies, while Reid Scott played Anne’s fiancé, Dan Lewis. Both Anne and Dan are fully aware of Eddie’s dual identity as Venom and have served as his allies in the previous installments.
Furthermore, Stephen Graham, who appeared in Let There Be Carnage, should be a strong contender to return since the previous film revealed that his character, Detective Patrick Mulligan, survived his seemingly fatal wounds and likely bonded with another symbiote. In the comics, Mulligan became the first host for the Toxin symbiote, an offshoot of Venom who exhibited heroic qualities. Peggy Lu also appeared in the first two films as Mrs. Chen, a convenience store owner who briefly became the host of Venom in Let There Be Carnage. However, if Venom 3 takes place predominantly in Europe, Mrs. Chen may not have a natural place in this film.
Will Venom 3 have a subtitle?
On March 12, 2024, Sony revealed the official title of Venom 3 as ‘Venom: The Last Dance.’
Will Venom 3 tie back into the MCU?
Not directly, as Sony’s Spider-Man Universe and the Marvel Cinematic Universe have been established as separate entities within the multiverse. However, Hardy’s cameo as Eddie Brock/Venom in Spider-Man: No Way Home left behind a fragment of the Venom symbiote in the MCU when they were transported back to their own world. This could potentially pave the way for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man to bond with the symbiote in the future. However, since Marvel Studios and Sony have yet to announce a new Spider-Man film, it remains uncertain when this might occur.
Despite this, Sony has openly expressed its intention to have Hardy’s Venom and Holland’s Spider-Man share the screen in a future film. These plans may materialize if Venom 3 proves to be a box-office success.
Is there a trailer for Venom 3?
Not yet. Unlike many films affected by the writers and actors strikes last year, Venom 3 resumed production swiftly in November 2023. With an October 2024 release date, Venom: The Last Dance is expected to release a trailer in June or July. This would allow Sony to showcase it in theaters before one of its summer blockbusters. Bad Boys: Ride or Die on June 7 and Fly Me to the Moon on July 12 are two Sony releases that would provide suitable platforms for a Venom 3 trailer.
What is the release date for Venom 3?
Venom: The Last Dance will be released on October 25, 2024. Venom 3 was initially scheduled for release in July 2024. However, Sony postponed the film to November 8, 2024, due to Hollywood labor strikes in 2023, before moving it forward to October 2024. Following its theatrical run, Venom: The Last Dance is expected to stream on Netflix in 2025.
Sony confirms Venom 3 will be the final film in the trilogy
While there was some speculation that another film could follow The Last Dance, Sony Motion Pictures Group chairman Tom Rothman confirmed to Deadline in May 2024 that Venom 3 will be the final Venom movie. Rothman teased Venom 3, stating that it’s “going to be huge.”
