What is the one thing Tom Hardy wants to do with Spider-Man?
Venom: The Last Dance signifies the conclusion of Sony’s most successful films related to Spider-Man, although that’s not saying much. After wrapping up this trilogy, Tom Hardy has bigger goals in mind for his character.
Since his first appearance as Eddie Brock, a disgraced reporter, in 2018’s Venom, Hardy has taken on several villains in this anti-hero narrative. In the sequel, Woody Harrelson brought to life Cletus Kasady, also known as Carnage. Fans are also eagerly anticipating the introduction of Knull, another major villain from the Marvel universe. However, Hardy’s most significant foe hasn’t been confirmed yet, and he’s eager to get the ball rolling on that front. At the recent New York Comic-Con, the Mad Max: Fury Road star reiterated his wish to see Venom face off against Spider-Man.
Hardy’s enthusiasm isn’t new; he has consistently expressed interest in having Venom and Spider-Man share the screen. Unfortunately, due to the complicated relationship between Marvel Studios and Sony, this might remain just a dream. While Sony has explored many iconic characters from Spider-Man’s universe, they haven’t brought the actual web-slinger into the fold. Even in the recent film Madame Web, which features multiple Spider-Women, Spider-Man is only referenced in a lighthearted way.
Given Sony’s history with Marvel properties, it would be surprising if Peter Parker made even a brief appearance in a Venom movie. However, fans can still hold onto hope.
The ultimate Spider-Man showdown has yet to happen on screen
Tom Holland’s portrayal of Peter Parker has won the hearts of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fans, but one of the most impressive takes on Spider-Man comes from Sony’s recent video games. In Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, players encounter various villains who haven’t quite made a mark in films, and the game brilliantly pairs Peter with Miles Morales in a gripping storyline.
In this game, Harry Osborn becomes infected with the Venom symbiote to combat a severe illness. As is typical for Venom, it then bonds with Peter, transforming him into a monstrous version of himself. Voiced by horror legend Tony Todd, this version of Venom is a terrifying powerhouse that Miles must confront. The game also includes Kraven the Hunter, a character who will be played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson in an upcoming film.
Unfortunately, Sony’s Kraven movie strays far from its comic book origins, much like Madame Web. Instead of portraying Kraven as the ruthless poacher he is in the comics, the film attempts to make him more appealing and relatable. In this adaptation, Kraven, played by Johnson, rebels against his father’s poaching activities (played by Russell Crowe) and inexplicably gains powers that let him communicate with animals. This approach mirrors how Madame Web was transformed from an older, wise character in the comics to a young woman in the film.
The Spider-Man games are arguably some of the best adaptations of the comics. While they do make some changes, they remain true to the essence of the source material. There’s a chance that Hardy’s Venom could leave a similar impact, but it seems unlikely to happen under Sony’s current direction. Still, in today’s multiverse of possibilities, you never know what could happen!
