Sony Greenlights New ‘Venom’ Feature Film
The Symbiote Stays Animated: Sony Greenlights New ‘Venom’ Feature Film
CULVER CITY, CA — Just when fans thought the "Lethal Protector" had taken his final bow, Sony Pictures has officially confirmed that the symbiote is far from extinct. In a strategic shift that mimics the studio's Oscar-winning success with the Spider-Verse franchise, the next Venom movie will be an animated feature film, moving away from the live-action continuity that concluded with 2024's Venom: The Last Dance.
The announcement, first broken by The Hollywood Reporter late last week, signals a new creative direction for one of Marvel’s most bankable anti-heroes. Sony has tapped the directing duo of Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, fresh off the massive success of their horror hit Final Destination: Bloodlines, to helm and produce the project.
The "Hardy" Factor
The biggest question on every fan's mind has been the status of Tom Hardy, who voiced and portrayed Eddie Brock across three blockbuster live-action films. According to studio insiders, Hardy is "understood to be involved in some capacity," though the exact nature of his role remains shrouded in mystery.
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The Voice: While not yet confirmed, there is significant buzz that Hardy may return to provide the iconic, gravelly voice of Venom, even if a new actor takes over the role of Eddie Brock.
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The Producer: Hardy’s name is also expected to appear in the credits as an executive producer, continuing his hands-on influence over the character’s cinematic legacy.
A Strategy of "Stylized Chaos"
By moving Venom into the animated realm, Sony is reportedly looking to lean into the "gonzo" and "body-horror" elements that were occasionally restrained by the limits of live-action CGI.
"Animation allows us to push the physicality of the symbiote in ways that are just impossible in live-action," noted a source close to Sony Pictures Animation. The project is expected to utilize a distinct visual style, possibly independent of the Miles Morales Spider-Verse, to reflect the darker, more visceral tone associated with the Venom comics.
The Expanding Spider-Universe
The animated Venom project is just one piece of a massive 2026-2027 slate for Sony’s Marvel properties:
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Spider-Man: Brand New Day: The fourth Tom Holland-led MCU film is currently in post-production for a 31st July 2026, release.
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Spider-Noir: The live-action series starring Nicolas Cage is set to debut on Amazon Prime Video later this year.
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Beyond the Spider-Verse: The conclusion to the Miles Morales trilogy is slated for 18th June 2027.
Early Stages
While the directors are locked in, the project is still in the "writers' room" phase, with Sony currently taking pitches for the script. Given the intensive timeline required for high-end feature animation, industry analysts suggest the film is likely targeting a late 2028 or 2029 release window.
Veteran producers Amy Pascal, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach—the architects of the live-action trilogy, are all expected to return to shepherd this new iteration. As the live-action "Venom-verse" settles into the history books with over $1.8 billion in total earnings, the stage is now set for a new, animated evolution of the symbiote.
