One of the most popular characters from Marvel comics gets his own standalone film in Sony/Columbia Pictures’ VENOM.

Directed by Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland, Gangster Squad, 30 Minutes or Less), it stars Tom Hardy (Eddie Brock/Venom), Michelle Williams (Anne Weying), Jenny Slate (Dr. Dora Skirth), and Riz Ahmed (Carlton Drake).

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Producers Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach (The Amazing Spider-Man 2) to talk about the antihero movie, and more.

All images courtesy of Sony/Columbia Pictures

What do you think about the current state of the superhero genre, and why do you believe that this is the right time for a Venom movie?

Avi Arad: It’s different, in a good way. It’s a contemporary anti-hero movie that deals with current serious issues: megalomaniacs, fake news, space, etc. Then you have someone like Tom Hardy and this crazy Venom giving you a very interesting buddy movie.

How important was it to get a talent of the caliber of Tom Hardy?

Matt Tolmach: It was everything. Venom is a beloved character and there is an expectation of adapting it with integrity. The person who is going to play him has to deliver that integrity and intensity. There is a very short list of actors like Tom Hardy. It is not a coincidence that this movie wasn’t made for many years. Sony was very supportive and wanted to make it, but the question was “Who can play him and meet expectations?” Then we got a call: “Tom Hardy loves Venom and wants to play Eddie Brock.” We felt like we have won the lottery. His body of work shows very nuanced and layered characters, but he is also intense and funny. We wanted to make a fun popcorn movie for everybody and Tom just got that. Sitting on set, watching him working hard and playing two characters… that’s very hard to pull off.

Tom Hardy reminds me of Nicolas Cage in terms of a well regarded actor fearlessly going to unexpected places. Do you see that?

Avi Arad: In terms of intensity, the closest actor that I had the pleasure of working with is Ian McKellan in X-Men. We have seen him in “Up Pupil” and “Gods and Monsters,”but after X-Men everyone knew who he was. To me he doesn’t play the villain, but the hero, someone that stands-up for something. He brought a unique intensity and a belief. Tom Hardy was the same, he believed in this. He said “This is the character that I want to do, I like it and my kid loves it.” He brought something unique.

It’s like watching a lion, a wild beast.

Avi Arad: Exactly! It’s like seeing a wild beast.

Was it tricky to make a movie that kids could also enjoy, starring a monster with a scary, violent side?

Avi Arad: Well, Tom Hardy is a father and he wanted to enjoy the movie with his kid. We knew that it was going to have an edge, but there is also a lot of humor in the comics. This guy said “That’s mine, I totally get him. I believe that I can play him in a way that my kids can see it.”

So, you didn’t shoot gruesome scenes…

Matt Tolmach: No. There is no R-rated cut hidden somewhere. That seems to be a story out there. We always wanted to make a PG-13 movie, because the sense of empowerment that kids get for wearing a Venom suit is awesome. At the same time, we wanted to push it as much as we could, inside the PG-13 realm. We were always very clear about that.

I guess that this is going to be the footprint for upcoming standalone movies like “Kraven The Hunter” and “Morbius”: something that is a bit scary…

Avi Arad: For me, the word isn’t “scary,” but “intense.” These franchises have to grow-up and become more mature. The science fiction is becoming science. Marvel is the Jules Verne of popular culture.

Venom, Morbius, Kraven The Hunter, etc. Is there a chance to see all of these characters together?

Matt Tolmach: That would be cool! We sit around and dream, we dream. I am not kidding.

VENOM is now playing in theaters nationwide.

 

When Eddie Brock acquires the powers of a symbiote, he will have to release his alter-ego “Venom” to save his life.