The prospect of a Venom and Spider-Man crossover movie, once on the horizon, feels more disheartening than ever in light of Tom Hardy’s recent revelations. Hardy’s portrayal of Eddie Brock in Sony’s struggling Spider-Man Universe has been one of its shining achievements. His enthusiasm for the character has consistently shone through in the standalone Venom films, contributing to their status as standout entries within Sony’s cinematic landscape. Particularly, the success of the Venom franchise set a critical and commercial benchmark that newer Spider-Man films have found challenging to replicate.
Despite its successes, the Venom series was not without shortcomings. A key criticism lies in the glaring absence of Venom’s traditional nemesis, Spider-Man. Currently, Spider-Man, embodied by Tom Holland, is thriving, particularly with news of a fourth film in his series. Considering the positive reception of both Hardy’s and Holland’s performances, one can’t help but wonder why a confrontation or collaboration between these characters never materialized. While hope remains for such an encounter to surface in the future, the path may not unfold as fans had envisioned.
Tom Hardy Concluded His Venom Saga Last Year
Venom: The Last Dance Concluded with Venom’s Demise
In a landscape of cinematic adaptations, Tom Hardy’s Venom is unique as it was the only character to enjoy a sequel, ultimately leading to a billion-dollar trilogy that outstripped the combined earnings of all other Spider-Man movies by a staggering 5.5 times. This financial triumph might tempt Sony to explore more sequels in the franchise.
Nonetheless, Hardy himself confirmed through social media channels that Venom: The Last Dance marked the conclusion of his journey with the character.
Fans speculated that Venom: The Last Dance hinted at future storylines. Although the film suggested Venom’s demise, it also left the door slightly ajar for a possible return, as a fragment of the symbiote was left in the custody of General Rex Strickland. Moreover, another piece could still linger in Earth-616 after Eddie Brock’s brief excursion into Spider-Man’s universe.
There’s even speculation that the fate of Venom’s symbiote could interweave into upcoming narratives, such as those anticipated in Avengers: Secret Wars.
Hardy’s announcement about wrapping up his story as Eddie Brock resonates with fans longing for a grand crossover. In his words, he shared:
That’s all she wrote for me and the big guy. We promise to make this the best of them all. We’ve loved making these.
Many fans continue to hope Hardy might reconsider should a compelling opportunity arise. However, the conclusion drawn in Venom: The Last Dance indicates a definitive end for Eddie Brock’s character, leaving audiences yearning for the long-awaited crossover.
A Venom and Spider-Man Film Has Been an Ongoing Desire
Venom and Spider-Man Share a Rich Comic Legacy
Despite emerging as an iconic figure in the Marvel universe, Venom is fundamentally intertwined with Spider-Man. The symbiote made its first appearance in “The Amazing Spider-Man #252,”before Spider-Man adopted it in 1984’s “Secret Wars #8”. Eventually, the symbiote transferred to Eddie Brock, who evolved into Venom’s most recognized iteration, establishing him as one of Spider-Man’s principal adversaries.
The continued absence of a properly developed film featuring both characters has left fans frustrated, especially given how close Hardy and Holland came to making it a reality.
Historical attempts—including Spider-Man 3—didn’t capture the potential of their dynamic, resulting in a narrative that felt overcrowded and misaligned with fan expectations. Venom’s brief on-screen presence lacked meaningful development, leading to the character feeling inadequately integrated into the storyline. This underscores the desire among fans for a well-crafted narrative exploring their conflict or camaraderie.
Tom Hardy Recently Confirmed They Were Close to a Crossover
Studio Politics Hampered Collaboration
In a recent interview with The Discourse Podcast, Tom Hardy revealed that discussions regarding a potential crossover film featuring Tom Holland’s Spider-Man had been engaged. However, the realities of studio politics hindered this collaboration. While Sony retains the rights to Spider-Man and his associated characters like Venom, the complexities of their arrangement with Marvel exacerbate the challenge.
Tragically, Hardy noted that they came uncomfortably close, lamenting the lost opportunity. He articulated his feelings regarding the significance of such a film:
We got close. We got as close as I could possibly imagine getting, apart from doing a film together, which I would have loved to have done. Fundamentally, for me, it would be for the kids… they don’t know why their favorite characters aren’t in films together.
Hardy’s remarks resonate with many fans left in the dark regarding the intricate relationship between Sony and Marvel Studios. Spider-Man’s limitations in crossovers stem primarily from a carefully structured agreement between the two companies, posing hurdles that obstruct fan desires for dynamic collaborations.
Reflecting on the Disappointment of the Crossover That Never Materialized
The Pain of Possibility Outweighs Absence
Learning that Tom Hardy and the production team came this close to realizing a Spider-Man and Venom crossover elevates the heartbreak—it’s more agonizing than knowing it was never in the cards. While many fans accepted the improbability of such a collaboration amidst studio politics, Hardy’s recent revelations highlight the profound frustration of what might have been. Sony even dangled the prospect in front of us by having Venom acknowledge Spider-Man in a post-credits scene of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, further intensifying anticipation.
Moreover, Hardy’s exit from the franchise adds an extra layer to the disappointment. Both actors have proved their ability to embody their superhero roles, leaving audiences longing for a chance to see their characters converse on-screen. The bittersweet moment at the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home, where they briefly existed in the same universe, only deepens the sense of loss surrounding the missed crossover opportunity.
As fans, we are left with the hope that a future Venom and Spider-Man crossover might still be possible, albeit with different talents involved. With Holland’s continued portrayal of Peter Parker in the upcoming Spider-Man 4 and the uncertain future of Hardy’s Venom, there is a glimmer of optimism that Sony may indeed consider sharing this iconic villain with a new actor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Sources: Tom Hardy/Instagram, The Playlist’s The Discourse Podcast