Riz Ahmed in early talks to join Tom Hardy in Venom

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Although Sony Pictures may be in partnership with Marvel Studios in regards to SPIDER-MAN, they're still set on carving out their own little slice of the Marvel universe by developing several Spidey-related spin-offs, including VENOM. One of the more popular character's in Spider-Man lore, Venom hasn't exactly been treated kindly on the big-screen, especially as his first appearnce involved being shoe-horned into Sam Raimi’s SPIDER-MAN 3 where he was played by Topher Grace. With Tom Hardy set to play the titular character, the stage is set for Sony to finally get Venom right.

It has now been reported that Riz Ahmed (ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY) is in early talks to join Tom Hardy in VENOM, which is to be directed by Ruben Fleischer (ZOMBIELAND). There's no word on just what the role would be, but sources are saying that he'll be playing a popular Marvel character. Your first instinct, and mine as well, would likely be to peg that character as Carnage, but THR's Borys Kit and others have said that the role is not Carnage but another character who is being kept under wraps, although they do admit that the actor was considered for the role before script changes were made. Variety's Justin Kroll adds that Matt Smith, Pedro Pascal, and Matthias Schoenaerts are also up for the part. VENOM is being scripted by Scott Rosenberg (JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE) and Jeff Pinkner (THE DARK TOWER).

Assuming the role isn't Carnage, which popular Spider-Man character could Riz Ahmed be up for?

VENOM is expected to hit theaters on October 5, 2018.