Unveiling the Untold: Spider-Man 2's Missing 'Venomized' Villain
Insomniac Games' Spider-Man 2 had initially planned a 'Venomized' version of a villain, but senior creative director Bryan Intihar reveals that this concept was ultimately cut from the game
Highlights
A "Venomized" version of Sandman in Spider-Man 2 was considered and cut, but it could be reconsidered in the future.
Venom, a beloved character in the Spider-Man universe, plays a crucial role in Spider-Man 2 by forming connections with various hosts. Insomniac Games initially explored the idea of Venomized Sandman, although it did not progress beyond the concept art phase.
Insomniac Games' senior creative director, Bryan Intihar, revealed that there was consideration for a "Venomized" version of one of the villains in Marvel's Spider-Man 2, but it was ultimately cut. The Sandman, a notorious enemy of Spider-Man, holds a significant role in the early stages of Spider-Man 2, and Intihar suggests that he could have had an even larger role if he had been Venomized. However, this version of Sandman only made it as far as the concept art stage, leaving the possibility of revisiting the idea open.
Venom, a highly popular character in the Spider-Man comic universe, plays a crucial role in the new Spider-Man 2 game. As a sentient alien symbiote, Venom survives by bonding with its host. In the comic books, notable hosts of Venom include Eddie Brock, Flash Thompson, and even Peter Parker himself. In Spider-Man 2, Insomniac introduces a unique portrayal of Venom, while maintaining the fact that Venom can bond with different hosts and provide them with distinct powers.
During a discussion on IGN's Beyond podcast, Bryan Intihar revealed some of the behind-the-scenes details about the development of Spider-Man 2. Among the intriguing insights shared by Intihar, one particularly exciting tidbit involved Insomniac's initial plans for a Venomized Sandman. While Intihar didn't provide a detailed explanation, this suggests that either Sandman would merge with Venom or that Venom would leverage its powers to control Sandman while still bonded with another individual. Regardless, this concept would likely result in a Sandman adorned in a black suit, sporting formidable teeth, and possessing other captivating abilities.
Regrettably, the Venomized Sandman idea was ultimately discarded during the development process, as Intihar revealed. There were several reasons for this decision. Firstly, Intihar expressed the challenges involved in realizing Sandman's character in its original form. Additionally, the significant time and resources required to fully bring the Venomized Sandman concept to life were deemed too demanding. Consequently, the concept remains confined to concept art and remains as a mere idea, without further development.
Intihar acknowledges the possibility that Insomniac might consider exploring a Venomized Sandman in the future, as he admires the concept art and expresses hope for its realization. With Venom now a part of Insomniac's Spider-Man universe, there are numerous thrilling opportunities for the team to explore in a potential sequel.
In the Spider-Man comics, Venom has taken on various roles such as a villain, anti-hero, and even a full-fledged hero throughout the years. Additionally, Venom's presence paves the way for the introduction of significant characters like Carnage, as well as other symbiote characters like Toxin and Knull. While Venomized Sandman may be an intriguing idea, Insomniac likely has grander concepts to tackle in their future endeavors. Nevertheless, it is captivating to speculate on how the story of Spider-Man 2 could have unfolded with a Venomized Sandman and the potential inclusion of other Venom hosts.
Spider-Man 2 is available now on PS5.
