The Winning Formula: How Spider-Man 4 Will Take Inspiration from Insomniac's Epic Spider-Man 2

Spider-Man's last appearance in live-action on the big screen was in No Way Home, where Tom Holland joined forces with previous versions of the character (Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield) to defeat a multitude of multiverse villains that were brought into their world due to a failed spell cast by Doctor Strange.

No Way Home felt like a conclusion to a specific era of Spider-Man, but the franchise will continue in the future. This has already started with the release of Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse, the highly anticipated sequel to 2018's Into the Spiderverse. Additionally, there are several other Sony Marvel movies (Venom 3, Kraven the Hunter) coming out alongside Spider-Man 4 in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Insomniac's Spider-Man 2 is also in the works, continuing from the first game released in 2018.

Both the upcoming game and the next MCU Spider-Man film will feature a different character as Venom, deviating from the use of Eddie Brock (who has appeared multiple times in the Sony Venom movies). This offers a fresh and unique approach to the stories, introducing a new alter ego for the iconic anti-hero/villain.

Insomniac's Spider-Man 2 will not have Eddie Brock be Venom

As mentioned, Insomniac's Spider-Man 2 will present a different portrayal of the character Venom compared to what audiences are accustomed to. In previous live action adaptations, Venom has always been depicted as Eddie Brock, played initially by Topher Grace and later by Tom Hardy in his standalone films. This departure from the norm offers the creators an exciting opportunity to explore new avenues with the character. Introducing a fresh backstory and a different individual bonded with the Symbiote will definitely bring a refreshing twist and unpredictability for the viewers.

Spider-Man 4 will also have to use someone else as Venom

MCU's Spider-Man 4 has a multitude of potential storylines to explore. The conclusion of No Way Home saw the character embracing his comic book heritage, complete with an incredibly faithful suit reminiscent of his Spiderverse mentors, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. This suggests that the upcoming phase of Spider-Man in this cinematic universe will reintroduce classic villains that have been noticeably absent thus far, such as Venom.

A significant deviation that the MCU introduced in their iteration of Spider-Man is his lack of interest in photography, a characteristic highly associated with the comic book and previous live action versions. Additionally, Peter Parker does not work for the Daily Bugle, which has transformed into a web show focused on conspiracy theories rather than a respected newspaper in New York City. As a consequence, the possibility of Eddie Brock assuming the role of Venom in this universe becomes nearly impossible, given his background as a journalist and the origin of his rivalry with Peter Parker, which originated from their shared profession as photographers. However, there exists some potential within the comic book lore for a different character, aside from Eddie Brock, to assume the mantle of Venom, maintaining a certain level of connection to the source material.

Who should Tom Holland's version of Venom be?

There are numerous options within the MCU to consider for assuming the Venom identity in Spider-Man 4. In the realm of comic books, Eddie Brock, the original Venom, was succeeded by Mac Gargan, also known as the Scorpion, a formidable enemy of the web-slinger. Gargan's tenure as Venom spanned several years, establishing a rich history with the character. By extension, it is conceivable that Michael Mando, who portrayed Scorpion in Spider-Man: Homecoming, could potentially transition into the Venom role within the MCU. Mando's portrayal of the villain showcases a deep-seated animosity towards Spider-Man, subtly hinted at through a post-credit scene focused on his quest for revenge. This narrative setup presents an ideal opportunity for him to assume the mantle of Venom.

Another option to consider is Flash Thompson, a character from the comics who also takes on the role of Venom. Specifically, Flash Thompson becomes Agent Venom, a version of the character that is more of a heroic figure rather than a villain. In the comics, Agent Venom was a member of the Secret Avengers, a covert team of heroes who operated in the shadows to protect the world. Flash's journey as Venom aligns more closely with the approach the MCU might take with the character, namely turning him into a relatable antihero and utilizing an existing character to portray Venom, which would greatly appeal to audiences.