Daniel Mercer
Over the last decade, audiences have witnessed the release of three Venom films and six Spider-Man films, yet the two iconic characters have not crossed paths on screen. While Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock made a passing reference to Spider-Man, and Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man once faced the symbiote in an earlier universe, the current film adaptations of both characters have not showcased a direct confrontation.
As we await the arrival of Spider-Man: Brand New Day—without revealing any spoilers—some key figures involved in the franchise are encouraging fans to remain optimistic about a potential crossover. In a conversation with Happy Sad Confused, producers Amy Pascal and Kevin Feige expressed their thoughts on the possibility of a meeting between the two Toms.
“It would be fantastic, let’s put it that way,” Pascal stated. Feige chimed in with, “Always have hope,” and Pascal added, “I have hope. We have hope.” While this is largely vague, it stops short of a definitive “No.” Here’s the full quote from a longer discussion.
If we assume that a team-up won’t take place in Brand New Day—as nothing in the promotional material suggests it might—when could we expect it to happen?
Pascal confirmed that there is indeed a Venom animated film in development. This opens up the possibility of seeing the characters interact in an animated format. Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse is also in the pipeline, which has established that all Spider-Man-related productions exist within an infinite Spider-Verse. Perhaps this is where a crossover could finally occur.
The landscape for live-action films is less clear. It is commonly believed that Holland’s Spider-Man will appear after Brand New Day in 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars. This film is rumored to include a host of cameos, including Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man. Given that Venom originates from an alien species, there is potential for his inclusion in some capacity, but we remain skeptical.
Realistically, the most likely scenario for this crossover may materialize in a future Spider-Man installment, though scripts for those films have yet to be penned. At this point, “hope” is essentially all we have. Nevertheless, it is nearly certain that Brand New Day will be a significant box office success, compelling Sony to continue its production of Spider-Man films. Venom appears to be a fitting direction for the narrative to take next, following Secret Wars.
Do you believe Tom Holland’s Spider-Man will ever face off against Venom? And if that happens, will it be with Tom Hardy? Share your thoughts in the comments. If you’re eager for that crossover now, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 video game does an excellent job of incorporating it.
Interested in more io9 news? Discover when to anticipate the latest releases from Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek, as well as what’s next for the DC Universe in film and television, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
David Bridges
