Fans who want to see more of San Francisco’s anti-hero can look forward to Venom (played by Tom Hardy) returning in Venom: The Last Dance.
This third film in Sony’s Spider-Man villain series will make some important changes. However, fans will have to wait a little longer.
Eddie Brock is one of Marvel Comics’ favorite characters. He started as a dangerous enemy of Spider-Man and later became a Lethal Protector who scares even the toughest criminals.
With his iconic look, interesting personality, and surprising humor, it is easy to see why comic fans wanted to watch Venom in movies for so long.
Many remember Venom’s first appearance in the last film of director Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, Spider-Man 3. This movie brought a lot of attention to the character but also faced some controversy.
Although some fans liked how Venom was shown, many still wanted a true representation of the character. In 2018, we got a better version in Venom.
In the 2018 film, there was a significant change. Venom’s character and backstory are closely connected to Spider-Man, yet the new movie placed Venom in a universe where he never met Peter Parker.
This decision caused some worry among fans, but many agreed that the movie was a fun ride, thanks to Tom Hardy’s charismatic performance.
The excitement continued with the sequel, Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), which introduced the popular character Carnage, played by Woody Harrelson.
After a brief appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) during the end credits of Let There Be Carnage and a quick return to his own universe in Spider-Man: No Way Home, fans are eager to see what happens next for Venom.
They do not have to wait much longer, as Venom: The Last Dance is actively being developed. The movie will have a new story, a new director, and a new writer. Below, we will cover everything we know so far about Venom: The Last Dance, including its cast, production status, and much more.
Does Venom: The Last Dance Have a Release Date?
Sony has announced that Venom: The Last Dance will be released exclusively in theaters on October 25, 2024. This release comes just before another highly anticipated sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, as well as horror sequels like Smile 2 and Terrifier 3.
The movie was initially set to be released on July 12, 2024, but the date was changed to November 8, 2024. Now, it looks like the October date is confirmed. Both previous films in the series did extremely well at the box office, so a theatrical release was almost certain.
The first film earned an impressive $850 million globally, placing it among the top 25 highest-grossing comic book movies ever made. The sequel, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, also performed well, grossing over $500 million with a budget of $100 million.
The change in the release date for Venom: The Last Dance suggests that Sony is confident in the film despite the challenges posed by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes that impacted production.
Where Will Venom: The Last Dance Stream?
After its theatrical release, Venom: The Last Dance will likely become available for streaming. Historically, Sony has collaborated with Netflix to stream many of their big releases, as was the case with Morbius, another Spider-Man spin-off. Likewise, Madame Web also became a surprise hit for Netflix, despite mixed reviews and poor box office performance.
In recent times, Sony has formed a partnership with Disney+, allowing some of their biggest Spider-Man films to stream on the platform. Currently, fans can watch several Spider-Man movies, including Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man 3, The Amazing Spider-Man, and Spider-Man: Homecoming on Disney+.
Notably, Venom became available to stream on Disney+ starting October 23, so it is likely that Venom: The Last Dance will also find its home on Disney+ after its theatrical run concludes.
Is There a Trailer for Venom: The Last Dance?
The first trailer for Venom: The Last Dance was released by Sony on June 3, 2024. This trailer gives fans their first look at Venom and Eddie’s third and reportedly final adventure.
Following the events of Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Spider-Man: No Way Home, Eddie and Venom find themselves on the run and are being chased by a secret government unit dedicated to hiding the existence of aliens.
Their mission is about to become much harder because an invasion from Venom’s home planet is on the way, putting all of humanity at risk. With such high-stakes drama, it is a relief that Venom can still use his powers in creative ways, including taking over the body of a horse.
The second trailer for Venom: The Last Dance was released on September 12, 2024. This new trailer offers a deeper look at the plot and confirms that the fan-favorite Venom-Horse will not be the only Symbiotic animal in the movie. Viewers can also spot a Venom-Fish in this latest trailer.
Who Stars in Venom: The Last Dance?
As in the previous films, Tom Hardy will reprise his roles as Venom and Eddie Brock. Hardy’s connection to the character is strong, and he has a deep passion for portraying him. This time, he will have a bigger influence on the film’s creative direction.
One notable addition to the cast of Venom: The Last Dance is Chiwetel Ejiofor. He is known for his role as the villain Karl Mordo in the MCU’s Doctor Strange. In the new movie, Ejiofor will portray Rex Strickland, a military soldier who hunts Eddie and Venom to acquire the Symbiote for his own plans.
Joining Hardy is Juno Temple, a star from Ted Lasso. She plays a scientist who collaborates with Ejiofor’s character to track down Eddie. Temple expressed her excitement about working on Venom: The Last Dance and praised Hardy in the following statement:
“His relationship to how he feels about Venom and Eddie together… it’s something that feels really close to his heart. It matters to him. I don’t know if anyone else could play Venom. That’s a tough pair of shoes to follow.”
While it is unclear if Eddie Brock’s ex-girlfriend Anne Weying (played by Michelle Williams) will appear, the recently released trailer confirms that the detective Patrick Mulligan (played by Stephen Graham) will be in the sequel. In the comics, Patrick Mulligan is the first host of the Toxin symbiote, which is the offspring of Carnage and Venom. Toxin tries to be a hero but faces a tragic fate.
Peggy Lu will return as Mrs. Chen, a character who has appeared in the first two Venom films and made a memorable cameo in the Oscar-nominated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Another surprising addition to the cast is Rhys Ifans, who features in both trailers. Ifans is known for his role as The Lizard in both The Amazing Spider-Man and Spider-Man: No Way Home. In Venom: The Last Dance, Ifans plays Martin, a hippie who encounters Eddie and Venom on their journey.
Ifans and Hardy are not the only actors from No Way Home returning. Cristo Fernández will reprise his role as the Bartender. Interestingly, his character seemed to belong to Earth-616 rather than Sony’s universe, but the first trailer shows Ejiofor’s character interacting with him.
Other cast members include Alanna Ubach from Ted and Clark Backo from Letterkenny. Backo plays Christmas, a fellow scientist, while Ubach plays Nova Moon, a hippie and the wife of Martin.
The latest trailer also reveals that Knull, the God of Symbiotes, will play an essential role in the movie’s story. Andy Serkis, who directed Venom: Let There Be Carnage, will portray Knull.
What Is Venom: The Last Dance About?
The official plot synopsis for Venom: The Last Dance is as follows:
“In Venom: The Last Dance, Tom Hardy returns as Venom, one of Marvel’s greatest and most complex characters, for the final film in the trilogy. Eddie and Venom are on the run. Hunted by both of their worlds and with the net closing in, the duo is forced into a devastating decision that will bring the curtains down on Venom and Eddie’s last dance.”
This description sets the stage for an intense and emotional journey for Eddie and Venom, as they must confront the challenges of being hunted while dealing with their complicated relationship.
Who’s Making Venom: The Last Dance?
Kelly Marcel, who wrote the first two films in the series, will direct Venom: The Last Dance. Marcel is also known for her work on Saving Mr. Banks and Fifty Shades of Grey. This is her directorial debut, and she is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the film.
The screenplay is also penned by Marcel, who collaborated with Tom Hardy on the story. Hardy’s involvement in the scriptwriting process shows his dedication to the character and the film’s full vision. Hardy has expressed his desire to make the character more relatable and his story more engaging for fans.
The film is produced by Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, and Tom Hardy himself. Hardy’s production company, Hardy Son & Baker, is also part of the project, ensuring that his creative vision is well-represented.
Why Should You Be Excited About Venom: The Last Dance?
Venom: The Last Dance is set to be a significant entry in the Spider-Man universe, and there are several reasons why fans should be excited:
A Deeper Scheme of Venom: Tom Hardy’s portrayal of Venom has been praised for its complexity and depth. This film aims to goes even deeper into the character’s psyche, showing the relationship between Eddie and Venom.
Fresh Creative Direction: With Kelly Marcel taking the helm as director and writer, fans can expect a fresh perspective on the story and characters. Marcel’s vision, combined with Hardy’s involvement in the script, promises a unique and engaging experience.
The Return of Familiar Faces: The return of beloved characters like Eddie Brock, Venom, and new additions to the cast adds excitement. Fans are eager to see how these characters evolve and interact in the new story.
High Stakes and Intense Action: The trailers suggest that Venom: The Last Dance will feature thrilling action sequences and intense drama. As Eddie and Venom face new challenges, audiences can expect heart-pounding moments that keep them on the edge of their seats.
Expansion of the Spider-Man Universe: Venom: The Last Dance contributes to the larger Spider-Man universe, expanding the lore and introducing new characters. This interconnectedness is a key aspect of what makes the Spider-Man franchise so appealing.
Potential for New Symbiotes: The inclusion of characters like Toxin and Knull hints at exciting possibilities for new symbiotes and their stories, making the film even more intriguing.
As we await the release of Venom: The Last Dance, the excitement surrounding this film continues to build. With Tom Hardy returning to his iconic role, new cast members joining the fray, and a fresh creative direction, the movie promises to be an exciting addition to the Spider-Man universe.
Mark your calendars for October 25, 2024, and get ready for an adventure that promises to take you on a thrilling ride with one of Marvel’s most complex characters. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the world of Venom, this film is sure to deliver an unforgettable experience.
