Venom Movie Will Be Darker Than Spider-Man, Says Writer

Writer Alex Kurtzman promises his ‘Venom’ movie will present a darker take on the familiar iconography of Spider-Man.

‘Venom’ is one of a number of ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ spin-offs in development at Sony Pictures – and notably one of two films, along with ‘Sinister Six,’ to centre on the villainous element.

Introduced in the mid-1980s by writer/artist Todd McFarlane, Venom is a vicious, black-suited variation on Spider-Man, born of an alien symbiote which (in the first instance) merges with Eddie Brock, an embittered rival of Peter Parker.

The character has appeared on the big screen once before, portrayed by Topher Grace in 2007’s much-maligned ‘Spider-Man 3.’

However, it is not yet known whether this film, set to be written and directed by Kurtzman, will feature Eddie Brock, or a different incarnation of Venom – and rumour has it the character will be presented more as an anti-hero than an outright bad guy.

Read More: Andrew Garfield Says Studio Cuts Harmed The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Read More: Chris Evans Plays Down Captain America Retirement Rumours

Speaking to MTV News  (via ComicBook.com), Kurtzman – also co-writer and producer of this year’s ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ - describes Venom as essentially the Anti-Spider-Man.

"Venom is sort of the flipside. There are certain lines that Spider-Man won’t cross, because he’s Peter Parker, and Peter Parker will only do certain things. And Venom is an entirely different character.

"Venom in a weird way is the representation of every line that will get crossed, so he’s a much darker character. I wouldn’t even really say more complicated, because I think they are both very complicated characters.

“I think the attraction for me to Venom is that you can do things that you can’t do with Spider-Man.”

After ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ proved less of hit than Sony had hoped, the future of the series seems to be in some doubt, with the studio appearing to shift the focus to spin-off movies rather than direct sequels. A female-centred spin-off is also said to be in the works, though it’s not yet known which character this will feature.

However, Kurtzman seems to have no doubt that Spider-Man will remain a major big screen hero.

“You know, Spider-Man has the benefit of having so many more movies than even some of the movies that have 2′s and 3′s in front of them from Marvel.

“I think as long as it keeps staying true to character, and true to who Peter is, and putting him in interesting and complicated situations, it’ll survive, because it’s so beloved – everybody loves Spider-Man.”

‘Venom’ is provisionally slated for release at some point in 2016.

Image credit: Marvel/Sony