Venom Returns: Animation as a Catalyst for Reinvention
The world of superhero cinema is no stranger to reinvention, and few characters reflect this as dramatically as Venom. Sony’s decision to pursue an animated Venom movie, reportedly under the creative direction of Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein (Final Destination: Bloodlines), signals a bold reset for the symbiote’s cinematic journey—and it could be the franchise’s most transformative moment yet.
A Blank Slate for the Symbiote
One of the enduring truths in Marvel lore is that Venom’s essence is inseparably linked to Spider-Man. In the comics, the symbiote’s legacy is deeply rooted in Peter Parker’s rejection, making Eddie Brock’s bond with it both poignant and thrilling. Despite this, Sony’s live-action adaptations—spanning Tom Hardy’s entire trilogy—have notably sidestepped Spider-Man’s involvement, due to longstanding contractual and narrative complexities. This divergence has been divisive among fans, sparking debates about authenticity and missed opportunities.
With the animated format, Sony has the chance to start with a clean slate. Rather than once again presenting an origin story without Spidey, the creators might sidestep the issue altogether. Imagine: Venom is already loose in New York, roaming the night as either antihero or monstrous nemesis—no laborious backstory required. This creative freedom is enticing, allowing the character to evolve without the narrative handcuffs of previous film decisions.
Venom’s Tone: Beyond Comedy, Toward the Visceral
One of the biggest critiques of Tom Hardy’s Venom movies has been their reliance on slapstick humor and banter between Eddie and the symbiote. For many fans, Venom’s raw potential as a menacing and tormented antihero—or outright villain—has been diluted by comedic choices. Animation, especially in the hands of filmmakers experienced with horror such as those behind Final Destination: Bloodlines, has the potential to reclaim Venom’s truly monstrous edge.
A Venom animated film isn’t bound to the lighter, joke-laden universe of its predecessors. Instead, the project could finally lean into the character’s horror roots—Eddie Brock’s internal turmoil rendered in the surreal, bold palette inspired by Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Picture Venom rampaging through Central Park or the dim streets of New York, not as a bungling antihero, but as a nightmarish force—one that makes both viewers and Marvel’s multiverse heroes look over their shoulders.
Animation: The Artistic Frontier for Marvel’s Symbiote
Into the Spider-Verse and its sequel fundamentally rewrote how mature, nuanced superhero stories could be told through animation. The art style and narrative depth broke ground, and fans now expect this animated Venom film to at least match, if not exceed, that high bar. The possibilities are immense: dynamic action, internalized psychological horror, and a multiverse playground where Spider-Man could potentially appear not as a supporting hero, but as a perceived antagonist from Eddie’s warped point of view.
Should Venom’s new chapter be folded directly into the growing Spider-Verse saga, the franchise could see a major synergy boost, broadening Venom’s appeal and relevance. Speculation runs wild that a cameo in an upcoming Spider-Verse installment could tee up Venom’s solo effort, integrating one of Marvel’s most complicated antiheroes into the animated multiverse.
Rewriting the Rules for Marvel’s Animated Future
As details slowly emerge, one thing is clear: Sony is leveraging animation to unlock what live-action hasn’t yet delivered—a Venom story unbound by old constraints, daring enough to blend horror, character-driven drama, and the visual ingenuity pioneered by their own Spider-Verse entries. Whether the film ultimately retains links to Tom Hardy’s portrayal or veers in an entirely new direction, it promises to deliver a fresh, artistically daring take on a fan-favorite villain-turned-antihero.
