MCU Proved Venom 3 Being The Last Movie Won’t End Sony’s Villain Franchise

Venom 3 is officially in the works, but the MCU has proven that Venom could appear in other films aside from his solo movies. While the third Venom film doesn’t currently have a release date, there are other indications suggesting he could appear in other Marvel movies given his cameo appearance at the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home. His appearance in that film sets up various ways in which the character could return to the MCU while also continuing his story from his solo franchise. Sony could repeat Marvel’s methods and have Venom cross over into their other Spider-Man related films to set up more franchise projects.

While Tom Hardy’s Venom is not in the MCU as of now, the character could find his way back for other crossover projects such as a potential Spider-Man vs. Venom or even a movie centered around the Sinister Six. Tony Stark was in several MCU films after the release of Iron Man 3, and Venom’s return could follow a similar approach. Venom 3 is set to be the final Venom film, but perhaps it doesn’t mean the end for the character. Morbius may have underperformed at the box office, but both films are believed to take place in the same universe and could be featured in other installments. Other upcoming Sony Marvel films like Madame Web, Kraven the Hunter, and El Muerto can continue their Spider-Man universe as long as the movies are proven to make money and excite audiences. Sony announced Venom 3 weeks after Morbius was released in theaters, suggesting the studio already has a plan to have both characters return in the future. Iron Man’s character arc after his third film is proof that a character’s story can still be fleshed out after a final solo movie.

How Iron Man Proved Sony Can Survive Without Venom 4

Tony Stark appeared in a solo trilogy, a Hulk movie, a Captain America film, a Spider-Man movie, and four Avengers films in the span of 11 years. But his trilogy ended after five years, and Robert Downey Jr. made the rest of his appearances throughout the last six years of his tenure as Iron Man. There were still a lot of stories to be told with that character, and it didn’t require a fourth solo movie to accomplish that. If Tom Hardy has a starring or supporting role in other films, he could essentially be Sony’s version of Iron Man for the Spider-Man villain universe. Some of Tony Stark’s most important storylines were adapted post-Iron Man 3 such as the creation of Ultron, his clash with Captain America, and failing to stop an alien from killing half of the universe.

How Venom Can Appear In Sony’s Villain Franchise After Venom 3

After Venom 3, the upcoming Spider-Man movies such as Spider-Man 4 could find Venom clashing with Spider-Man or perhaps other antagonists like Morbius or Kraven. Tom Hardy clearly enjoys portraying the anti-hero and even received story credit for Venom: Let There Be Carnage. Hardy likely has an idea of how he would like to see the rest of Eddie Brock’s story play out.

Because Marvel Studios has been adapting the Multiverse throughout Phase 4 and the rest of the Multiverse Saga, it sets up a return for Venom in the MCU. The upcoming Spider-Man and Avengers sequels would be the perfect way to see it through. The Secret Wars comics storyline sees Peter Parker come into contact with an alien symbiote for the first time that sees his Spider-Man suit turn black. Marvel Studios could adapt this with Venom should they decide to continue his story after Venom 3.