Interesting Facts About the Venom Movies

Introduction to Venom

The Venom movies gave fans a fresh take on the character, far removed from his earlier appearances in film. Sony successfully introduced Venom as a standalone anti-hero, creating a darker and more engaging story that fans loved. The character's evolution on screen is remarkable, and the franchise has become a cornerstone of Sony's Spider-Man Universe.

Venom's Long Journey to the Big Screen

The idea for a Venom movie has been in the works for over 20 years. Producer Avi Arad first tried to develop a movie in the 1990s after noticing the popularity of Venom action figures. When Spider-Man 3 was in production, Venom was added to the movie by studio demand, despite director Sam Raimi's lack of interest in the character. The result was a poorly received portrayal, and plans for a Venom spin-off were shelved.

Later, after several Spider-Man franchise reboots, Sony revived the idea. The success of The Amazing Spider-Man and growing fan interest in Venom reignited the project, which finally took shape as the 2018 standalone Venom movie.

Tom Hardy's Unique Take on Eddie Brock

Tom Hardy's performance as Eddie Brock was a standout. He based his portrayal on an unusual mix of inspirations: Woody Allen's nervous energy, Conor McGregor's tough persona, and rapper Redman's eccentricity. Hardy also voiced Venom himself, using a deep, growling tone partially inspired by singer James Brown.

Hardy's commitment to the role went beyond acting. He even recorded Venom's lines in advance so he could hear them through an earpiece while filming scenes where Eddie interacts with the symbiote.

The Evolution of the Story

The original Venom script was vastly different from what audiences saw in theaters. Initially, the story focused on a pregnant woman who became Venom after a tragic miscarriage. While this concept was scrapped, elements of it survived. For example, Michelle Williams' character gains Venom's powers briefly in the movie.

Another major change involved Venom's design. Early drafts considered using motion-capture technology, but this was abandoned as Hardy's features didn't align with Venom's monstrous look. Instead, Venom was brought to life entirely through CGI, allowing the character to have a massive, menacing physique.

Behind-the-Scenes Fun

Hardy's son, Louis, played a big role in his father's preparation for the role. A fan of Venom, Louis introduced Hardy to the character and helped him understand Venom's comic book roots. Hardy even joked that he took the role to make a movie his son could enjoy.

One of the movie's most memorable scenes shows Eddie eating a lobster in a restaurant. This bizarre moment was improvised by Hardy. The lobster was actually a marshmallow-filled prop, as the actor is a vegetarian in real life.

Creating Carnage in the Sequel

The sequel, Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), introduced Venom's nemesis, Carnage, played by Woody Harrelson. Harrelson worked closely with the director, Andy Serkis, to craft the character's unsettling personality. Inspired by scorpion movements, the animators gave Carnage a unique, predatory style that contrasted with Venom's bulkier, more aggressive movements.

Harrelson also insisted on a more realistic wig for his character, as he disliked the over-the-top look from the first movie's post-credits scene.

Crossover Potential and Future Plans

Both Venom movies hint at connections to the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). A post-credits scene in Let There Be Carnage shows Venom acknowledging Spider-Man, teasing a potential crossover. Fans eagerly anticipate how Venom might fit into the MCU's multiverse storyline.

Sony has confirmed a third Venom movie, tentatively titled Venom: The Last Dance. This installment is expected to wrap up Eddie and Venom's journey. Directed by Kelly Marcel, who wrote the scripts for the first two movies, this film promises to bring the franchise to an epic conclusion.

Venom's Legacy

Despite initial skepticism, the Venom franchise has become a global success. The first movie grossed $856 million, while the sequel earned $502 million despite pandemic challenges. Venom's unique blend of humor, horror, and action has won over fans, making him one of the most iconic anti-heroes in modern cinema.