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Sony is reportedly taking one of Marvel’s most unpredictable anti-heroes in a bold new direction. According to industry reports, an animated Venom movie is in early development, with directing duo Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein attached to helm the project. While nothing is officially confirmed yet, the move signals a potentially huge shift for the franchise and possibly a fresh start for the symbiote on the big screen.
Let’s break down what’s happening, why animation might make sense for Venom, who’s involved, and what this could mean for the future of Sony’s Marvel universe.
Animated Venom Movie: What We Know So Far
Reports indicate that Sony Pictures Animation is developing an animated feature based on Marvel’s Venom. However, it’s still very early days. There’s no writer attached yet, and the project is described as being in early development. Sony has not formally confirmed the report.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time an animated Venom project has surfaced in industry chatter. Back in 2024, there were unconfirmed reports that Seth Rogen was developing an animated Venom film as a writer and producer. That version never materialized publicly, but clearly, the idea of animating the symbiote hasn’t gone away.
Now, with Lipovsky and Stein reportedly in the director’s chairs, it feels like things may be moving more seriously, even if we’re still years away from seeing anything on screen.
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Why Animation Makes Sense for Venom
If you’ve watched the recent Spider-Verse films, you already know Sony’s animation division is on fire creatively.
Films like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse didn’t just succeed; they redefined what superhero animation could look like. Produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, those movies blended comic book aesthetics, emotional storytelling, and groundbreaking visual experimentation. They even earned Academy Awards recognition.
So why not Venom?
Animation opens up possibilities that live-action struggles with:
- Wild, shape-shifting symbiote transformations
- Over-the-top action sequences
- Surreal horror-inspired imagery
- Stylized world-building that matches Venom’s darker tone
Venom has always been slightly unhinged: half horror creature, half chaotic anti-hero. Animation could finally let the character lean fully into that madness without being limited by practical budgets or VFX constraints.
The Directors of Animated Venom Movie: A Duo on the Rise
The choice of Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein is fascinating.
They recently directed Final Destination: Bloodlines, the latest entry in the long-running Final Destination franchise. That film reportedly revitalized the brand, grossing $315 million worldwide and becoming both the highest-grossing and best-reviewed installment in the series.
That’s no small feat, especially for a franchise that had been dormant for about 14 years.
Lipovsky and Stein have built reputations for injecting fresh energy into established IP. That skill is exactly what Venom may need right now. While the live-action trilogy made solid money, the critical reception became increasingly mixed.
They’re also attached to collaborate with Chris Columbus on a new Gremlins project and are developing an original thriller titled Long Lost at Universal Pictures, with Amblin Entertainment producing.
In short, they’re becoming “it” directors in Hollywood and Venom might be their biggest mainstream assignment yet.
The Producers Behind the Symbiote
Several familiar names from the live-action trilogy are expected to be involved:
- Amy Pascal
- Avi Arad
- Matt Tolmach
These producers helped steer the live-action Venom films to major box office success.
Even more interesting? Tom Hardy, who played Eddie Brock in all three live-action films, is reportedly involved in some capacity. That could mean producing, voice acting, creative consultation, or possibly all three.
Hardy wasn’t just the face of Venom, he also voiced the symbiote itself and had creative input in shaping the character’s personality. His involvement would give the animated project continuity and legitimacy.
Additionally, Kelly Marcel, Hardy’s frequent collaborator and writer on the live-action films, is reportedly involved as a producer as well.
Venom’s Cinematic History
To understand why this shift matters, let’s quickly revisit Venom’s film journey.
Venom first appeared on the big screen in Spider-Man 3, directed by Sam Raimi and portrayed by Topher Grace. While that portrayal was divisive, it introduced the character to mainstream audiences.
Then came Sony’s standalone trilogy:
- Venom ($856 million worldwide)
- Venom: Let There Be Carnage ($506.8 million)
- Venom: The Last Dance ($478.9 million)
The first film was a massive surprise hit during the peak of the comic book movie boom. But as the trilogy continued, box office numbers and critical enthusiasm gradually declined.
That downward slope may be one reason Sony is exploring new formats.
From Comics to Cultural Icon
Venom was created by writer Bill Michelinie and artist Todd McFarlane, debuting in 1988’s Amazing Spider-Man No. 300.
He started as a villain, one of Spider-Man’s most dangerous enemies, but quickly became a fan favorite anti-hero. By 1993, Venom had his own solo comic series. His popularity has endured for decades, thanks to his unique combination of:
- Body horror visuals
- Twisted humor
- Brutal combat style
- Strange buddy-comedy dynamic between Eddie and the symbiote
Animation could tap directly into that comic book DNA in a way live-action sometimes softened.
What’s the Timeline for Making Animated Venom Movie?
Right now? There basically isn’t one.
There’s no confirmed script. Sony Pictures Animation is reportedly opening a writers’ room to explore story directions. That’s an exploratory phase, meaning multiple pitches could be tested before anything is greenlit.
And animation takes time. Just look at the years-long production timelines of the Spider-Verse films.
Even if the project moves forward quickly, we’re likely several years away from release.
Could Animated Venom Movie Connect to the Spider-Verse?
Here’s where things get interesting.
Sony’s animated Marvel brand is currently defined by the Spider-Verse films. While there’s no confirmation that animated Venom would exist in that same universe, it would make sense strategically.
The Spider-Verse style allows:
- Multiverse storytelling
- Radical art direction shifts
- Crossovers
- Darker or more experimental tone
Venom could thrive in that sandbox.
At the very least, it would align the character more closely with Sony’s strongest creative engine: its animation division.
Why This Could Be the Best Move for the Franchise
Let’s be honest, Venom has always been a weird character.
The live-action films leaned heavily into comedy, sometimes at the expense of horror. Critics often felt the tone was uneven.
Animation offers a chance to recalibrate:
- Go darker.
- Go weirder.
- Push visual boundaries.
- Explore Eddie and the symbiote psychologically.
Lipovsky and Stein’s horror background suggests they may not shy away from the character’s monstrous roots.
If they bring the same revitalizing energy they gave Final Destination: Bloodlines, Venom could feel dangerous again.
The Big Question: What Story Will They Tell?
With no writer attached yet, anything is possible. Options include:
- A comic-accurate origin story
- A multiverse Venom
- A full horror-leaning take
- A team-up film
- A hard R-rated animated experiment
Given how flexible animation can be, the tonal possibilities are much broader than the PG-13 constraints of live-action superhero blockbusters.
Final Thoughts: A Fresh Start for the Symbiote?
At this stage, the animated Venom movie is more concept than concrete project. But the pieces are intriguing:
- Proven horror directors
- Veteran Venom producers
- Possible Tom Hardy involvement
- Sony’s elite animation division
- A character built for visual experimentation
If Sony commits to bold storytelling instead of safe franchise maintenance, this could become one of the most exciting animated superhero projects of the decade.
For now, though, we wait.
The symbiote is still forming.
Source: awn
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