Last year’s comic book action caper, Venom, was a surprise smash hit, raking in over $800 million dollars against a pretty modest budget of $100 million. So, it came as little surprise when a sequel was announced, the creatively titled Venom 2, that would bring back Tom Hardy’s journalist Eddie Brock and his alien-symbiote pal. According to Matt Tolmach, the producer of the first movie, it is that very relationship that will be heavily influencing the direction of the upcoming sequel.
“[Fans] love that relationship. What people say all the time is the relationship between Eddie and Venom is… I just want to spend more time with those guys. And that’s such a testament to Tom Hardy, who obviously played both parts. It’s similar to, and I’m not just trying to bring back to Jumanji, but it’s the characters.
It’s the thing you want to hear when you launch a franchise is that what works is the heart of the movie. And the heart of Venom was always the relationship between Eddie and Venom. These two characters, these two sides that had to figure out how to live together and that were somehow better together than they were separately, or more successful, and what that meant.”
These comments from Tolmach should please fans of the first Venom, and maybe even entice detractors, as a focus on the bizarre quasi-friendship between these two can surely only be a good thing, and even though this was somewhat the focus of the first movie, there is still plenty of room to flesh out their relationship, especially if Venom 2 is R-Rated this time around.
Though critics had many, many negative things to say about the first movie, opinions were pretty unanimous that actor Tom Hardy did an excellent job in the leading dual role. Perhaps his decisions were not always what we would have expected (the lobster tank scene comes instantly to mind), his dedication is unquestionable, with the actor giving both Eddie Brock and Venom distinct personalities and voices, with the banter between the two characters the clear highlight.
Venom 2 is already shooting, and will continue the adventures of the alien-symbiote and his host. Based on the fan-favourite Marvel character, the sequel will continue to be produced by Columbia Pictures in association with Marvel, but remains outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Rumours have been circulating of late that the MCU’s Spider-Man, Tom Holland, may be joining forces with Tom Hardy and co. but this remains to be seen.
The movie is set to be directed by the master of motion capture, Andy Serkis, a very interesting choice that, along with these recent comments, is sure to bring some Venom naysayers back on board. Venom 2 is of course bringing back headline star Tom Hardy, along with Michelle Williams, Reid Scott and Woody Harrelson as the much-anticipated villain, Carnage.
Venom 2 is scheduled for release on October 2, 2020. This comes from Cinemablend.
