Sony’s Venom Franchise Gets Animated Reboot with ‘Final Destination’ Directors

Sony Pictures is expanding its Venom universe with a new animated feature, tapping Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, the directorial duo behind last year’s successful horror revival Final Destination: Bloodlines, to helm the project. The move signals Sony’s intent to keep the popular anti-hero relevant as the live-action films experienced diminishing returns at the box office.

A New Direction for the Symbiote

The animated Venom film is currently in early development, with no writer yet attached. But, Sony Pictures Animation is assembling a writers room to develop the script. Amy Pascal, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach, producers on the previous live-action Venom films, are expected to return for this new venture. Tom Hardy, who starred as Eddie Brock/Venom in Venom (2018), Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), and Venom: The Last Dance (2024), is also expected to be involved in some capacity, though the extent of his participation remains unclear. Deadline first reported the news.

From Horror to Heroes (and Anti-Heroes)

Lipovsky and Stein gained recognition for their work on Final Destination: Bloodlines, which grossed over $317 million worldwide and was praised as a successful revitalization of the long-running horror franchise. Variety notes that this success has positioned them as in-demand filmmakers in Hollywood. They are also currently working on the Gremlins reboot with Chris Columbus and developing the original thriller Long Lost.

Venom’s Comic and Cinematic History

Created by writer Bill Michelinie and artist Todd McFarlane, Venom first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #300 in 1988. The character quickly gained popularity as both a villain and an anti-hero. Prior to Tom Hardy’s portrayal, Topher Grace played Venom in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3. The Hollywood Reporter details the character’s journey from comic book pages to the massive screen.

Box Office Performance and Future Prospects

The live-action Venom films have been financially successful for Sony, with the first film grossing over $856 million globally. However, subsequent installments saw diminishing returns, with Venom: Let There Be Carnage earning $506.8 million and Venom: The Last Dance bringing in $478.9 million. An animated film offers Sony a chance to refresh the franchise and potentially reach a wider audience, building on the success of Sony Pictures Animation’s critically acclaimed and commercially successful Spider-Verse films.

What’s Next?

Whereas the animated Venom project is still in its early stages, the involvement of Lipovsky and Stein, coupled with the established success of the Venom franchise and Sony Pictures Animation’s track record, suggests a promising future for the character. The animation process is expected to be lengthy, meaning fans should anticipate a wait of several years before the film hits theaters.