Tom Hardy's Venom 3: The Quest for an Intimate Spider-Man Connection

After the thrilling yet bittersweet conclusion of Spider-Man: No Way Home, fans are eagerly anticipating Tom Hardy's future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hardy, who starred as Eddie Brock/Venom in both Venom films, is already envisioning designs for a prospective third Venom film. Hardy is making a passionate push for a potential collaboration with Spider-Man, a move that could ignite a live-action version of their era-defining comic book rivalry. However, given the complex web of Sony's Marvel films, such a face-off would likely require significant studio negotiations and multiverse magic.

Tom Hardy's Vision for Venom 3

Tom Hardy, who has made a name for himself in the Venom franchise, is already looking ahead to the possibility of a third film. In a recent interview with Esquire, Hardy expressed his excitement about the potential to connect Venom and Spider-Man on the big screen. While he's aware of the challenges, his energy and enthusiasm for the project are palpable.

Hardy stated, "I would be remiss if I wasn’t trying to steer any kind of connectivity. I wouldn’t be doing the job if I wasn’t awake and open to any opportunity or eventuality or be excited by that." This passion is rooted in the characters' storied history, as Venom was introduced in The Amazing Spider-Man in 1988, created by David Michelinie and Todd McFarlane. Since then, Venom has become one of Marvel's most popular characters, known for his bulky, menacing appearance and his iconic shapeshifting alien symbiote costume.

Previous Venom Films: A Brief Overview

While Venom has been a central character in some of Marvel's most memorable comic stories, the 2018 solo film, while well-received, positioned itself as a quasi-spinoff of Sony's Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and bore no apparent connection to Spider-Man. The film even removed the character from New York City, instead setting the action in San Francisco. This decision was likely made to avoid any legal and financial complications with Marvel Studios. However, the fans are longing for a return to the rich, interconnected universe of Marvel comics.

The Potential for a Spider-Man Showdown

Hardy's push for a Venom 3 that centers on a battle between his character and Spider-Man stems from the obvious comic book connection. Hardy is unambiguously lobbying for the cinematic connectivity necessary for such a face-off. During the interview, he stated, "Obviously [a showdown] is a large canyon to leap to, and it would take a much higher level of diplomacy and intelligence sitting down and talking to take on an arena such as that."

The task of bridging the gap between Sony's Spider-Man and the Venom films is daunting and complex. On a business level, it involves Sony's long-held license for the Spider-Man film rights. On a narrative level, the portrayal of these two characters in different cinematic universes has led to a significant separation in their respective stories. However, the potential for such a collaboration is enormous, as both characters are beloved by their respective fan bases and have deep, complex histories in the comics.

Conclusion

As Tom Hardy looks toward the future of his Venom franchise, the possibility of a Spider-Man showdown at the center of his third film is both exciting and fraught with complexity. While the challenges are significant, Hardy's passion and dedication to bringing these characters together on the big screen may just be the catalyst needed to overcome the hurdles. Stay tuned for further developments in the exciting world of Marvel Cinematic Universe.