The Venom film series has taken the world by storm with its unique blend of anti-hero action, dark humor, and a fan-favorite character who finally gets his chance to shine on the big screen. With two successful films already under its belt, fans are eagerly anticipating Venom 3, the next chapter in the story of Eddie Brock and his extraterrestrial symbiote, Venom.
In this article, we’ll delve into everything we know so far about Venom 3—what we can expect from the story, potential new characters, connections to the broader Marvel Universe, and how the movie could shape the future of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU).
A Recap of Venom’s Journey So Far
Before diving into what we might see in Venom 3, it’s worth revisiting the journey that has led us here. The first Venom (2018) introduced Eddie Brock (played by Tom Hardy), a down-on-his-luck journalist who bonds with a mysterious alien symbiote, giving him extraordinary powers and turning him into the anti-hero Venom. The film set itself apart with its odd-couple dynamic between Eddie and Venom, full of humorous exchanges and an unconventional relationship.
Despite some mixed reviews, Venom was a box-office hit, grossing over $856 million worldwide. It tapped into the comic book allure of one of Spider-Man’s greatest foes while also giving him a fresh, more sympathetic twist.
Then came Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), where we saw Eddie and Venom face their deadliest opponent yet—Cletus Kasady, played by Woody Harrelson, and his even more menacing symbiote, Carnage. This sequel further developed Eddie and Venom’s bond, with their bickering reaching new heights, but also presented them with a life-or-death battle that culminated in a stunning and chaotic finale. The post-credits scene hinted at something even bigger: Venom’s potential crossover into the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
What Can We Expect from Venom 3?
While details about Venom 3 are still largely under wraps, several key elements are likely to play a role in the next installment. Let’s explore some possibilities.
1. A New Villain Emerges
In each of the previous Venom movies, the villain has played a crucial role in driving the plot forward, and it’s expected that Venom 3 will introduce yet another deadly antagonist. With Carnage defeated, the franchise has room to explore new threats.
One possibility is the introduction of Toxin, a symbiote offspring of Carnage. In the comics, Toxin bonds with a police officer named Patrick Mulligan and is initially positioned as more heroic, though still unpredictable due to its violent symbiote nature. This could create an intriguing dynamic as Venom might face off against a more complex opponent—one that, like himself, teeters between good and evil.
Another option could be Knull, the ancient god of symbiotes, who has been a major villain in Marvel comics. Knull is a primordial force who created the symbiote race and wields cosmic power. If Venom 3 chooses to go cosmic, introducing Knull could raise the stakes significantly and potentially push the series into an epic showdown.
2. Exploring Venom’s Multiverse Connections
One of the most exciting possibilities for Venom 3 is its connection to the multiverse. After the mind-blowing post-credits scene in Let There Be Carnage, which saw Eddie and Venom briefly transported into the MCU’s world, fans have been buzzing about a possible crossover with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man.
Although Venom returned to his universe by the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home, the potential for future crossovers remains high. Could we see Venom finally face off against Spider-Man in Venom 3? Or will we get a tease for an eventual showdown between the two iconic characters? It’s also possible that other characters from the MCU, such as Doctor Strange or even Deadpool, could make an appearance in some multiverse-altering capacity.
The multiverse offers endless storytelling possibilities, and Venom 3 could lean into this by expanding Eddie Brock’s interactions with characters outside his own universe, leading to some thrilling and unexpected team-ups or battles.
3. Eddie and Venom’s Relationship Evolves
At the heart of the Venom franchise is the unusual and often humorous relationship between Eddie Brock and his symbiote, Venom. Their odd-couple dynamic, which was a major highlight of both films, is expected to continue evolving in Venom 3.
In Let There Be Carnage, we saw Eddie and Venom’s partnership hit some rocky points, with Venom even briefly separating from Eddie out of frustration. However, by the end of the movie, the two characters seemed to reach a new understanding of each other, forming a more cohesive unit.
In Venom 3, it’s likely that we’ll see more growth in their relationship. Eddie may continue to struggle with the challenges of cohabitating with a violent, unpredictable symbiote, but there’s also the potential for deeper emotional moments, especially if the stakes become higher, such as facing a new, deadly threat. Expect more banter, more comedy, and perhaps even some moments where the two learn to rely on each other in more profound ways.
4. Sony’s Spider-Man Universe Expanding
Sony has been working on building out its own Spider-Man-related universe, separate from the MCU. With films like Morbius and Kraven the Hunter in development, it’s clear that Sony wants to expand the universe surrounding Spider-Man’s iconic villains and anti-heroes. Venom 3 will likely continue this trend, and it could even lay the groundwork for future crossovers within Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU).
It’s possible that characters like Morbius or Kraven could make a cameo or be referenced in Venom 3, helping to tie together these films and set up future team-ups or conflicts. The SSU is still in its early stages, but Venom 3 could serve as a pivotal entry in expanding this cinematic world.
5. Tom Hardy’s Creative Input
One element that has made the Venom films stand out is the dedication and passion Tom Hardy has brought to the role of Eddie Brock/Venom. Hardy has reportedly been heavily involved in shaping the character’s arc and even had input into the script for Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
For Venom 3, it’s expected that Hardy will once again have creative input, potentially even more so. Hardy’s understanding of Eddie and Venom’s unique dynamic has been key to the franchise’s success, and with his involvement, we can expect a story that stays true to the character while pushing the narrative in exciting new directions.
The Future of Venom
Venom 3 is shaping up to be an exciting continuation of the symbiote saga. With the potential for new villains, multiverse connections, and a deepening of Eddie and Venom’s bond, the film promises to deliver another thrilling, action-packed adventure. Whether or not Venom crosses paths with Spider-Man or enters a larger universe, one thing is certain: fans can look forward to seeing more of the character they’ve come to love in a unique and unpredictable way.
As we await more details on Venom 3, the hype is building, and fans are ready for another dose of symbiote-fueled chaos. Keep an eye out for official announcements, trailers, and more as the next chapter of Venom’s story unfolds.
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