Venom is back. Again. And this time, he’s not coming alone, or in the flesh, but in animated form with the intriguing possibility of Tom Hardy playing a role in the project. The idea that Sony would shelve its most profitable character is, frankly, unthinkable.
A new Venom movie is officially in development at Sony Pictures, promising a different chapter for the Lethal Protector. Following three installments that divided critics but dominated the box office, the iconic symbiote is preparing to leap into animation. And the details are noteworthy.
Venom Wasn’t Dead, Just Resting
Regardless of your feelings about the Tom Hardy-led trilogy, the numbers speak for themselves. The three Venom films collectively grossed over $1.8 billion worldwide. That’s hardly chump change, and enough to ensure Eddie Brock wouldn’t be left behind.
While each subsequent film earned less than its predecessor and received lukewarm reviews, audiences responded. And when a character generates that kind of revenue, Hollywood finds a way to keep them around – be it a new suit, a different format, or whatever it takes.
There was talk for a time that Venom 4 could adapt the Agent Venom storyline from the comics, where Flash Thompson bonds with the symbiote. The idea held potential, particularly given the source material. But the underperformance of Kraven the Hunter altered those plans.
Following that setback, Sony paused its live-action adaptations within its Spider-Man-adjacent universe. Everything was put on hold. Just when Venom’s future seemed uncertain, the surprise announcement came: an animated film in development.
Marvel Comics
A Curious Team and a Long-Term Future
According to The Hollywood Reporter, directing this new animated Venom adventure will be Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein. If the name rings a bell, it’s because they directed Final Destination: Bloodlines, the latest installment in the horror franchise released in 2025.
The duo will not only direct but also produce the project. Joining them could be industry heavyweights like Amy Pascal, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach. While the extent of their involvement remains unclear, their presence signals a serious undertaking.
Don’t expect to see this Venom film next year, however. Animation is a lengthy, meticulous, and complex process. Lipovsky and Stein are also developing a new Gremlins movie, so their schedules are packed.
What Role Does Tom Hardy Play?
What we have is where the news gets interesting. Tom Hardy, the face of Eddie Brock in the previous three films, is reportedly involved “in some capacity” with the project. That’s as ambiguous as it sounds.
Tom Hardy
It’s unclear whether he will produce, voice Venom again, or simply offer creative input. But his name is on the table, and that changes things considerably.
If Hardy does return to voice the symbiote, there’s a possibility this animated Venom film could be set within the same universe as his previous appearances. Imagine that same chaotic and playful dynamic, but with complete visual freedom. It could be spectacular.
The Eternal Dream: Venom and Spider-Man Together
While Sony moves forward with its animated Venom, rumors continue about Marvel Studios’ plans for the symbiote within the MCU. In the comics, Mac Gargan (The Scorpion) has been Venom in various iterations, leaving the door open to new versions.
Many hoped to see Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock crossing paths with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man on the big screen. They came close, according to Hardy. But it never materialized.
The actor recently mentioned they were very close to sharing a universe. He would have loved to make it happen, especially considering younger audiences who don’t understand why their favorite characters don’t appear together.
And he has a point. For a child who sees Venom and Spider-Man on t-shirts, toys, and comics, their absence from the same films is a mystery worthy of investigation.
Venom vs Spider-Man
What Could Have Been… and What Comes Now
Hardy also explained that they worked within clear boundaries within the universe Sony allowed them to develop. Nevertheless, they fully committed to the character of Venom, maximizing what they could do with him.
That passion was evident on screen, even when the script performed contortions. There was energy, commitment, and a desire to make Venom something different within the superhero film landscape.
Now, with animation, the rules can change. There are no budget restrictions on effects, nor physical limitations. You can take the symbiote to much wilder, darker, or more comic-book-accurate visual territories.
And, frankly, Venom always appreciates excess. Bigger teeth, a longer tongue, stylized violence… In animation, all of that can shine without looking like a chaotic CGI festival.
Can Animation Save the Venom Universe?
The big question is whether this new animated Venom film will be a simple, curious spin-off or the beginning of a completely different stage for the character in cinema.
After the stumble of Kraven and the freezing of other projects, Sony needs a win. And animation, if well-executed, could be a smart move. Look at what Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse did for the character’s perception.
We’re not saying they’ll copy that formula, but the format does offer creative freedom. And Venom is pure creative chaos. If they also have Tom Hardy involved, even behind the scenes or providing a voice, interest increases significantly.
For now, we have to wait. The project is in its early stages, and years remain before its release. But the simple fact that Venom has a new film is a statement of intent.
The symbiote isn’t going anywhere. And, let’s be clear, we don’t want it to. Now, tell me, are you excited to see Venom in animated form, or do you miss the digital saliva in live-action?
