Venom will be battling Carnage and Shriek in sequel

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

The end credits scene in last year's Marvel Comics adaptation VENOM made it clear that the titular, symbiote-coated anti-hero was going to be battling the popular villain Carnage in the sequel. That is happening, but Carnage is not going to be alone.

Deadline has heard from "two sources close to the project" that Carnage is being joined in VENOM 2 by Shriek, 

the sonic-powered accomplice and romantic interest of serial killer Cletus Kasaday, aka Carnage, the monstrous archenemy of Venom.

A drug dealer named Frances Barrison became the volatile Shriek after severe trauma allowed her latent mutant powers to emerge. In the comics, those powers include sonic energy blasts, flight, and the ability to stir up dark and violent emotions in others.

Shriek was first introduced as an ally of Carnage's during the Maximum Carnage storyline in 1993.

The first VENOM was directed by Ruben Fleischer, but he has been too busy working on ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP to return for VENOM 2. The sequel is set to be directed by Andy Serkis, working from a script by returning screenwriter Kelly Marcel.

Tom Hardy is reprising the role of Eddie Brock, who becomes Venom when the symbiote takes control. Michelle Williams is back as Eddie's wife Anne, and Woody Harrelson will be playing Cletus Kasady / Carnage.

Serkis is said to be looking "mostly at unknowns" in the search for an actress to play Shriek.

VENOM 2 is believed to be aiming for an October 2020 release.