Sony Developing a "Venom" spin-off

[Old Guy]

Sony Eyeing Spider-Man Spinoff

Source: The Hollywood Reporter (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i9603a54f631ae7b08ff64122f7c95c8e)
July 31, 2008

http://comingsoon.net/nextraimages/venomspinoff.jpgSony is moving forward with Venom, a potential "Spider-Man" spinoff, says The Hollywood Reporter.

The trade says the studio is developing the project, based on the villain who appeared in Spider-Man 3 and is hoping the character could serve as an antidote to the aging "Spider-Man" franchise in the way that Fox has used Wolverine to add longevity to its "X-Men" franchise.

The studio had commissioned a draft of the script from Jacob Estes (Mean Creek), but the studio is considering going in a different direction from Estes' script and is seeking writers for a new draft.

Casting also is no simple matter. Topher Grace played the character in the film, but agents have been eyeing the role for their clients, as Sony is not yet convinced the actor can carry a tentpole picture.

The Hollywood Reporter adds that neither Sony nor Marvel would comment for the story.

Sony is also still developing a fourth "Spider-Man" film for 2011.

[Peter Paltridge]

Since it's unlikely they'll let a supervillain have an entire movie, you can be sure this will be the "Lethal Protector" Venom.

Enjoy!

[KCJ506]

I kinda hope this happens. Not because I want him to have his own movie. Because I want people to shut up about Carnage being in a future SM movie.

[AlgeaX]

Have we learned nothing from the ninties? Venom as a solo character just does not work. If sony really wants to revitalise the Spidey movies, just get Joss Wheadon to script and direct the next one.

[Fifi Fanatic]

I'm assuming this is in the same universe as "Spider-Man 1-3"?

Sam Raimi just didn't "get" Venom and tacked him on at the end of "Spider-Man 3" because.... the fanboys were wanting to see Venom. Maybe putting him in his own movie with a director who understands the character might work out. But to echo Martianinvader, it's highly unlikely that a villain would be allowed to be the main character, so be prepared for antihero Venom at least.

I'll have to reserve judgement until I see more...

[Hanshotfirst113]

Have we learned nothing from the ninties? Venom as a solo character just does not work. If sony really wants to revitalise the Spidey movies, just get Joss Wheadon to script and direct the next one.

What? Wheadon? Not exactly my first thought... Plus, after Serenity's massive failure, I'll be amazed if he ever works in Hollywood again, sadly.

[AlgeaX]

What? Wheadon? Not exactly my first thought... Plus, after Serenity's massive failure, I'll be amazed if he ever works in Hollywood again, sadly.

I think Wheadon's eye for drama and characterisation coupled with his wicked sense of humour would make him a natural fit for Spider-Man. Though your probably right that it's a longshot. Still I think the franchise either needs a new director or just to be left alone. I like Rami but the Spidey movies seem to be retreading over the same ground too much.

[Ducard]

Casting also is no simple matter. Topher Grace played the character in the film, but agents have been eyeing the role for their clients, as Sony is not yet convinced the actor can carry a tentpole picture.


IIRC Grace also said that he wouldn't do a Venom spinoff because it would be lame. And he's probably right.

Lethal Protector Venom doesn't work. God help us if they decide to go with "Hulk" sized Venom.

[Spideyzilla]

IIRC Grace also said that he wouldn't do a Venom spinoff because it would be lame. And he's probably right.

Lethal Protector Venom doesn't work. God help us if they decide to go with "Hulk" sized Venom.
Grace is a comic fan, and he likes Venom, from what I've heard. He'll want to do the character justice. I hope they keep the design from Spider-Man 3. It was awesome. If I'm in the theatre and they do "Hulk" Venom (think Ultimate Spider-Man) then I will get up, and leave. also if they're to do a Venom movie properley, then it should feature Carnage and an R rating.

[GWOtaku]

What the heck, how does this even work? He died in Spider Man 3. If this actually happens, they'd better keep it separate from the movies.

How do you build a movie around Venom, especially without the hatred for Spider Man? I don't like the sound of this.

[Jacob T. Paschal]

It is not that Raimi did not get Venom, it's that his Venom was an unsympathetic you-know-what. He fit perfectly into the story being told.

[Silly McGooses]

Nothing in that film perfectly fit in with the story being told, since the film makers never decided what story they were telling...:shrug:

[Jacob T. Paschal]

I always took it as being a "Life is chaotic and sometimes you wind up dealing with a bunch of problems at once" sort of thing. And if you stop and think about it, a lot of what happens makes sense.


But I am insane.

[Wonderwall]

I liked Lethal Protector when I was growing up:sad:. But I can see why a lot of people don't like it. As for a movie, seems like a reach when it comes to a movie. If this was WB announcing it I would just go and assume that it stays in development hell, but seeing as its a Marvel Property...

[sdp]

I actually liked Venom in Spider-Man 3, well mostly. I thought his origin was actually told well and what I didn't like how the "final" battle was set-up it felt very saturday morning cartoon "We're all villains lets team up".

I also liked anti-hero venom in the 90s, then again I never read the comics as a kid except for venom the madness.

[Old Guy]

I'm one of the few who enjoyed Spidey 3, but I do agree with many who complain about Venom. He was rushed and Raimi didn't really care much for the character. The character was there cause fans wanted it.

[desi]

I think they should try a villain that hasn't appeared yet. I GOT IT! How about "Halle Barry as Black Cat"?!

[Old Guy]

I think they should try a villain that hasn't appeared yet. I GOT IT! How about "Halle Barry as Black Cat"?!

Don't give them ideas, darn it. :mad:

[Harlan_Phoenix]

The trade says the studio is developing the project, based on the villain who appeared in Spider-Man 3 and is hoping the character could serve as an antidote to the aging "Spider-Man" franchise in the way that Fox has used Wolverine to add longevity to its "X-Men" franchise.


So basically, boring characters keep franchises going.

[I.D.Will19??]

So basically, boring characters keep franchises going.

Ahh..what's so boring about Venom and Wolverine :evil: ?!

Venom's one of my favorite characters, but I'm not looking forward to this movie. I didn't too much like how he was done in S3. They should just move on to the next Spiderman film instead of doing some spin-off. Isn't that what people wanna see anyway? I feel the same way about the upcoming Wolverine film. Unlike Venom, Wolverine played a big role in the X-Men trilogy and doesn't really need a solo movie, imo.

[NewcomerDC]

Don't give them ideas, darn it. :mad:
Agreed. No one bring up Halle Berry as Black Cat. Like Catwoman wasn't bad enough with her in the title role.

[CartoonOverlord]

Venom and Eddie Brock are dead in movie canon and Venom can't hold a movie on his own being a protagonist, this has failure written all over it.

[NewcomerDC]

I know it's too soon but could there be a revival of the Spider-Man franchise in the future in the vein of Nolan's Batman series in case the new Venom movie fails?

[Master Toon]

I hope they don't do like Catwoman and make it so he's not the Venom from the live action Spider-Man movie but a universe all it's own. I know they said he's based on the villain from Spider-Man 3 but changes can be made at the last second.



Agreed. No one bring up Halle Berry as Black Cat. Like Catwoman wasn't bad enough with her in the title role.

Halle Berry didn't make that movie suck, it just sucked, period.


Venom and Eddie Brock are dead in movie canonNo offense but how long have you been watching movies and what do you know about the Symbiote? :sweat:

[Blackstar]

Agreed. No one bring up Halle Berry as Black Cat. Like Catwoman wasn't bad enough with her in the title role.

Just for the record, Catwoman didn't suck because of Halle Berry. It sucked because the concept was ill conceived and the writing was sub par.

[Question411]

Meh, finding it hard to care much one way or another about a Venom movie.
Question411

[Mad Mod 49]

Venom and Eddie Brock are dead in movie canon and Venom can't hold a movie on his own being a protagonist, this has failure written all over it.


I acutally agree with this. I heard that Avi Arad was the one who wanted this to be made (he was also responsible for putting Venom in Spiderman 3) so the whole movie seems like an (imho) undeserved apology for Spiderman 3. They should really stop pandering to the fanboys and realize that Venom as a villain can't really do that much and Venom as "the lethal protector" just flat out sucks. It could be better than it sounds but expect me to be cynical about it until it actually comes. :shrug:

[RonDrakenfan17]

I've heard about this for a while now. I still don't think he could work his own solo film.

[Master Toon]

and Venom as "the lethal protector" just flat out sucks.They're trying to make Venom a hero in this movie? :confused:

[Harlan_Phoenix]

Ahh..what's so boring about Venom and Wolverine :evil: ?!


The fact that they're both overexposed and have little substance to justify that exposure?

[Andrew T. Hingson]

The Venom from the Spidey 3 universe lacks the qualities that would make him heroic. Then again he could always have a change of attitude after his confrontation with Spider-Man.

Something about this makes me think the movie would feel a lot like Spawn.

Carnage has a better place in a Venom movie than in a Spider-Man moving that doesn't involve Venom. I would hope Spider-Man would at least show up if they had Carnage as the villian of a Venom movie but even with Sony holding both properties that's a bit unlikely.

Honestly I don't know what to think... but Sam Raimi didn't give Venom his due so if another director can then I say let 'em.

But seriously... the Spider-Man franchise is losing steam? News to me. The Spectacular Spider-Man is kicking butt and taking names. Keeping that on the air should keep the Spidey franchises more than strong enough to last until Spider-Man 4 is done.

[DarthGonzo]

Yawn. The superhero movie genre is bound to implode around itself sooner or later.

[Old Guy]

Yawn. The superhero movie genre is bound to implode around itself sooner or later.

TDK's box office disagrees with you. ;)

[DarthGonzo]

TDK's box office disagrees with you. ;)

Just because one money makes a lot of money doesnt mean the upcoming onslaught of superhero movies is going to do just as well. Seems like every day there's a new superhero flick announced in the wake of the successes of this summer. How long is this going to last before it wears itself out?

[Harlan_Phoenix]

The Venom from the Spidey 3 universe lacks the qualities that would make him heroic.

He lacks qualities to be interesting, period. Heck, the only reason I liked him was because he was funny. I can't see him carrying his own movie.

Or being alive.

[Old Guy]

Just because one movie makes a lot of money doesnt mean the upcoming onslaught of superhero movies is going to do just as well.

One? What about Iron Man? That's STILL the 2nd highest grossing movie of the year. So...the two big money makers of the year (so far) are comic book adaptations.


Seems like every day there's a new superhero flick announced in the wake of the successes of this summer. How long is this going to last before it wears itself out?

Never. Yes, there WILL arrive a time when superhero movies/comic book adaptations will no longer dominate the box office (with perhaps the exception of a movie or two), but it's a genre that will continue to exist.

[Master Toon]

I'm with DarthGonzo on this one. There's too many superhero movies coming out, the genre is bound to lose steam soon. I'm glad that the genre is gaining popularity but they need to let it cool off for a while.

[Old Guy]

I'm with DarthGonzo on this one. There's too many superhero movies coming out, the genre is bound to lose steam soon. I'm glad that the genre is gaining popularity but they need to let it cool off for a while.

There has been too many superhero movies since Spidey broke records in 2002.

Let's look at the numbers:

2003:
Daredevil
X2: X-Men United
Hulk

2004:
The Punisher
Spider-Man 2
Hellboy
The Incredibles
Blade: Trinity

2005:
Elektra
Batman Begins
Fantastic Four

2006:
X-Men: The Last Stand
Superman Returns

2007:
Ghost Rider
TMNT
Spider-Man 3
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

2008:
Iron Man
The Incredible Hulk
Hancock
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
The Dark Knight
Punisher: War Zone (Dec.)
The Spirit (Dec.)

2009:
Wolverine
Watchmen

NON-SUPERHERO COMIC BOOK ADAPTATIONS:
Road to Pertition (2002)
The League of Extrodinary Gentlemen (2003)
Sin City (2005)
Constantine (2005)
A History of Violence (2005)
V for Vendetta (2006)
300 (2007)
30 Days of Night (2007)
Wanted (2008)

[Jacob T. Paschal]

Who cares what genre it is so long as it is a entertaining film?

[AlgeaX]

But seriously... the Spider-Man franchise is losing steam? News to me. The Spectacular Spider-Man is kicking butt and taking names. Keeping that on the air should keep the Spidey franchises more than strong enough to last until Spider-Man 4 is done.

Spectacular Spider-Man is indeed awesome beyond all expectations. The Rami movies, not so much. They're pretty repetitive and starting to get a little stale, which is why I think any future Spidey movie will need a new direction.

[The Overlord]

Who cares what genre it is so long as it is a entertaining film?

You don't want to oversaturate the market, otherwise the public may become sick of those movies and the studios will stop making them. Some genres that used to big in Hollywood: westerns and Musicals are mostly dead now.

Giving every hero, anti hero, villain a movie will oversaturate the market. If they give Venom a movie, then they may give Blue Beetle, Moon Knight and every D-lister a movie till the public gets sick of comic book movies.

Only the cream of the crop should get movies, heroes that have been able to maintain a comic for decades and really good comic book mini series. The only time Venom got a solo role were those bad anti hero minis from the 90s.

[DarthGonzo]

You don't want to oversaturate the market, otherwise the public may become sick of those movies and the studios will stop making them. Some genres that used to big in Hollywood: westerns and Musicals are mostly dead now.

Giving every hero, anti hero, villain a movie will oversaturate the market. If they give Venom a movie, then they may give Blue Beetle, Moon Knight and every D-lister a movie till the public gets sick of comic book movies.

Only the cream of the crop should get movies, heroes that have been able to maintain a comic for decades and really good comic book mini series. The only time Venom got a solo role were those bad anti hero minis from the 90s.

I'm actually really glad I'm not the only person who is thinking that way. And it definitely seems really odd that they felt the need to cram Venom into an already bloated movie yet they're going to give him his own film regardless. So what was the point, other than making Spider Man 3 a horrid, insulting mess?

Really, I don't care how much money Iron Man and Dark Knight made this Summer. I'm sure they deserve it. But I think there's way too much coming down the pipeline, and a lot of it seems to be pretty obscure. How long till the general public decides that they're tired of superhero movies because there's just too many of them coming out. We've had 5 this season alone. To me that's a lot.

[AlgeaX]

I'm actually really glad I'm not the only person who is thinking that way. And it definitely seems really odd that they felt the need to cram Venom into an already bloated movie yet they're going to give him his own film regardless. So what was the point, other than making Spider Man 3 a horrid, insulting mess?

Cuz Venom is kool and X-tream dude!

[The Overlord]

I'm actually really glad I'm not the only person who is thinking that way. And it definitely seems really odd that they felt the need to cram Venom into an already bloated movie yet they're going to give him his own film regardless. So what was the point, other than making Spider Man 3 a horrid, insulting mess?

Really, I don't care how much money Iron Man and Dark Knight made this Summer. I'm sure they deserve it. But I think there's way too much coming down the pipeline, and a lot of it seems to be pretty obscure. How long till the general public decides that they're tired of superhero movies because there's just too many of them coming out. We've had 5 this season alone. To me that's a lot.

I liked most of these comic book movies that came out and I think a lot of comic book characters deserve a chance to shine on the screen, but I am practical.

Most of the heroes from this summer had a mythos that would allow them to maintain one or two films. Moon Knight, Blue Beetle and yes even Venom don't have a mythos that's strong enough to maintain a movie.

Flash and Wonder Woman should be given movies, Hawkman and
Elongated Man should not. limited comic book movies to the best material and things should be fine.

[Master Toon]

Spectacular Spider-Man is indeed awesome beyond all expectations. The Rami movies, not so much. They're pretty repetitive and starting to get a little stale, which is why I think any future Spidey movie will need a new direction.

Ignoring part 3, how was part 1 and 2 repetitive and stale? And by "new direction" do you mean a new director or a reboot?

[AlgeaX]

Ignoring part 3, how was part 1 and 2 repetitive and stale? And by "new direction" do you mean a new director or a reboot?

I feel Part 2 was a re-thread of most of the same emotional beats as the first movie. Pete pining away for MJ, scientist father figure/ mentor turned into deranged villain by their own experiments, average New Yorkers rallying to Spider-Man's aid. And for the record Peter David thinks the same thing.

Not that parts 1 & 2 weren't great mind you, but the villain can only kidnap MJ to lure Spidey into a climactic showdown so many times before it becomes a running gag.

As for my "new direction", I don't think a reboot is really necessary at this point but I think a new director with a different story to tell is. Earlier on this thread I recommended Joss Wheadon the following reasons...


I think Wheadon's eye for drama and characterisation coupled with his wicked sense of humour would make him a natural fit for Spider-Man. Though your probably right that it's a long-shot. Still I think the franchise either needs a new director or just to be left alone. I like Rami but the Spidey movies seem to be retreading over the same ground too much.