Venom Animated Movie: Tom Hardy Involved, Final Destination Directors to Helm
- Sony Pictures Animation is diving back into the world of Venom, but this time with a significant shift in format.
- While details remain scarce, the involvement of Hardy, who originated the role of Eddie Brock and Venom in the live-action films, has been confirmed.
- The move to animation represents a strategic expansion of the Venom franchise, which, despite mixed critical reception, has proven to be a substantial box office success for Sony.
Sony Pictures Animation is diving back into the world of Venom, but this time with a significant shift in format. A new animated feature film starring the symbiote is in development, two years after Tom Hardy’s live-action portrayal concluded with ’s Venom: The Last Dance. The project, announced today, taps Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein – the directing duo behind last year’s horror reboot Final Destination: Bloodlines – to helm the animated adventure.
While details remain scarce, the involvement of Hardy, who originated the role of Eddie Brock and Venom in the live-action films, has been confirmed. However, his capacity within the project is currently undefined. It’s unclear whether he will reprise his vocal performance or take on a producing or advisory role. The studio is keeping specifics tightly under wraps as development begins.
The move to animation represents a strategic expansion of the Venom franchise, which, despite mixed critical reception, has proven to be a substantial box office success for Sony. The three live-action films collectively grossed over $1.8 billion worldwide, demonstrating a clear audience appetite for the character and his universe. This success has fueled Sony’s broader ambitions within the Spider-Man-adjacent properties, including the recent release of Morbius and upcoming projects featuring Kraven the Hunter and Madame Web.
Lipovsky and Stein’s selection as directors signals a potential tonal shift for the franchise. Final Destination: Bloodlines, while a reboot of a well-established horror series, garnered attention for its revitalized approach and strong box office performance, earning $317.9 million globally. Their previous work also includes the live-action Kim Possible movie (2019) and the series Mech-X4, showcasing a versatility that likely appealed to Sony Pictures Animation.
Sony Pictures Animation has a proven track record with animated superhero adaptations, notably the critically acclaimed and commercially successful Spider-Verse films – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. A third installment, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, is slated for release in , further solidifying the studio’s expertise in bringing comic book characters to life in animated form. The success of these films suggests Sony is aiming for a similar level of creative ambition and visual innovation with the Venom animated project.
The creative team behind the animated Venom also includes series veterans Amy Pascal, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach, indicating a commitment to maintaining continuity with the established franchise elements.
Beyond the immediate Venom project, Lipovsky and Stein are also attached to co-write Gremlins 3, with Chris Columbus directing and Steven Spielberg serving as an executive producer. That film is currently scheduled for release in , demonstrating the rising profile of the directing duo within Hollywood.
The announcement of the animated Venom comes at a time of significant evolution within the superhero landscape. While the live-action genre continues to dominate the box office, animation is increasingly recognized as a viable and artistically compelling medium for exploring these characters, and narratives. Sony’s decision to pursue an animated Venom film reflects this trend, potentially opening up new creative avenues and reaching a wider audience.
The studio has not yet announced a release date or any casting details beyond Hardy’s involvement. The project is described as being in the early stages of development, suggesting that significant changes could still occur as the story and visual style are refined. However, the combination of a popular character, a successful directing team, and a studio with a proven track record in animated superhero films positions the animated Venom as a project to watch closely in the coming months.
The potential for exploring the character of Knull, a symbiote god briefly teased in Venom: The Last Dance, also exists within the animated framework. Whether the film will directly build upon the narrative threads established in the live-action trilogy remains to be seen, but the opportunity to delve deeper into the mythology of the Venom universe is certainly present.