AceShowbiz - Venom remains a significant figure in Marvel’s cinematic universe, and despite the conclusion of the live-action trilogy with Venom: The Last Dance, the character’s journey is far from over. Star and producer Tom Hardy is already involved in a new animated Venom project, signaling Sony’s commitment to continuing the franchise in fresh formats.

This upcoming animated movie is set to be directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, known for their work on Final Destination Bloodlines. Alongside Hardy, producers Amy Pascal, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach return from their roles in the live-action Venom trilogy. Additionally, Kelly Marcel, the franchise producer, writer, and director of Venom: The Last Dance, is also involved. These connections to the $1.6 billion franchise ensure continuity and creative consistency for the new project.

However, something notable is missing from this new phase of the Venom saga: the involvement of the creative minds behind the hugely successful Spider-Verse animated films. Sony Pictures Animation, which expanded the Spider-Man animated universe beyond Miles Morales, has enjoyed massive success, both critically and commercially. The Spider-Verse films have won two Oscars and grossed over $1 billion worldwide, and their creators, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, have been integral to that success.

When news of the new Venom animated movie broke, many expected Lord and Miller to be part of the creative team, especially since producers Pascal and Arad have worked on the Spider-Verse films as well. Yet, no reports have indicated any involvement from the duo. This omission is puzzling, considering Sony’s motivation for producing a Venom animated movie likely stems from the Spider-Verse’s achievements and the appeal of exploring Marvel’s characters through animation.

The absence of Lord and Miller suggests that the Venom animated film might not be connected to the Spider-Verse universe. Initially, some speculated that Venom might appear in Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, the upcoming third film focusing on Miles Morales, potentially setting up the symbiote’s spin-off. However, current indications imply that this new Venom movie will serve as either a fresh reboot of the symbiote character or a continuation of Eddie Brock’s story as portrayed by Hardy in the live-action films.

It is even possible that the animated feature could act as a narrative follow-up to the ending and post-credits scene of Venom: The Last Dance, providing closure or expansion on unresolved plot elements. Such a direction could offer fans a satisfying continuation while exploring new storytelling possibilities within animation.

Despite the potential for a strong standalone Venom film, many fans and observers believe the movie would benefit greatly from tighter integration with the Spider-Verse franchise. Lord and Miller’s creative vision has proven adept at handling the Spider-Man mythos and crafting an expansive, engaging multiverse. Although they have not yet worked with Venom, their involvement could bring fresh energy and innovative storytelling to the character in animation.

Incorporating Venom into the Spider-Verse animated multiverse would also connect the movie directly to a beloved and critically acclaimed series, potentially broadening its audience and deepening its narrative impact. This approach could open up exciting story possibilities, such as introducing new characters bonded with the symbiote or setting up conflicts involving Miles Morales or cosmic entities like Knull, the King in Black.

There remains a chance that Lord and Miller may become involved in the Venom animated project as it develops, especially depending on the performance of Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. Sony’s willingness to collaborate with the creators who helped launch the Spider-Verse franchise could be a key factor in the animated Venom movie’s future direction and success.

For now, Sony proceeds with a Venom animated film that leans heavily on the existing team from the live-action trilogy, including Hardy, Pascal, Arad, and Marcel. This choice ensures continuity for fans of the previous movies but also highlights a notable gap in creative collaboration when compared to the Spider-Verse’s development.

Overall, the upcoming animated Venom movie promises to expand the character’s presence in Marvel’s filmography and capitalize on the success of the live-action franchise. However, the lack of direct involvement from the Spider-Verse’s creators leaves some uncertainty about how deeply the new project will connect to the broader animated Marvel universe Sony has been cultivating. This strategic decision will likely shape the film’s reception and its place within the evolving landscape of Marvel animation.