Sony’s Animated Venom Movie: A Darker Take on the Symbiote

Sony Pictures is moving forward with a fourth Venom movie, but with a significant twist: it will be fully animated. This decision comes after the underwhelming performance of recent live-action Spider-Man Universe (SSMU) films, including Venom: The Last Dance and Kraven the Hunter, prompting a reevaluation of Sony’s strategy for its Spider-Man-adjacent properties. The project signals a potential shift towards animation as a way to revitalize the franchise.

A Latest Direction for Venom

The animated Venom film will be directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, known for their work on Final Destination: Bloodlines. Variety reports that Tom Hardy, who previously starred as Eddie Brock/Venom in three live-action films, will be involved creatively, though the extent of his involvement remains unclear.

This new direction follows a period of reassessment for Sony’s Spider-Man-based projects. After the initial success of 2018’s Venom, which grossed over $1 billion, subsequent films in the SSMU struggled to replicate that success. The Direct notes that Sony was “going back to the drawing board” in December 2024, seeking a new approach to its Spider-Man-adjacent universe.

Potential for a Mature Tone

Rumors suggest the animated Venom movie may pursue an R-rating in the United States, a departure from the PG-13 ratings of previous installments. The Movie Blog highlights that an R-rating would allow for more graphic violence, horror elements, and mature language, potentially offering a more faithful adaptation of the character’s darker comic book origins.

While PG-13 ratings broaden audience appeal, an R-rating could allow the film to explore the more sinister aspects of Venom, such as body horror and a genuinely terrifying portrayal of the symbiote. Previous live-action films, like Venom: Let There Be Carnage, toned down the violence to achieve a wider release.

Rebooting the Franchise

With Tom Hardy’s future as Eddie Brock uncertain after Venom: The Last Dance, the animated film could serve as a soft reboot for the franchise. The Hollywood Reporter mentions speculation about shifting the focus to Flash Thompson as a new host for the symbiote, but those plans appear to be on hold as Sony reconsiders its overall strategy.

Animation offers creative freedom and reduces reliance on expensive contracts, potentially allowing for a more experimental and visually distinct take on the character. Sony Pictures Animation has a strong track record with critically acclaimed and commercially successful animated films like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and its upcoming sequel, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (scheduled for release in 2027).

A Faithful Adaptation?

Venom originated in Marvel Comics’ Amazing Spider-Man #300 in 1988, initially as a villain for Spider-Man. The character quickly gained popularity for its menacing nature and complex relationship with its hosts. An R-rated animated adaptation could finally capture the character’s inherent darkness and visceral terror, moving beyond the humor-focused approach of previous films.

The success of adult-oriented animated series like Invincible and Rick & Morty demonstrates an appetite for mature animation. Whether Sony’s animated Venom will embrace a similar level of graphic content remains to be seen, but the potential is there to deliver a truly unique and unsettling take on the iconic symbiote.