Venom 2 Taps Original Writer Kelly Marcel for Sequel: Report

Venom co-writer Kelly Marcel has reportedly been rehired for the sequel, on which she will also serve as executive producer, just as she did on last year's original. Marcel is best known for penning the screenplay for 2015's Fifty Shades of Grey. She has also co-written 2013's Tom Hanks-starrer Saving Mr. Banks, and created the 2011 TV series Terra Nova. The release date for Venom 2 is most likely October 2, 2020, given what we know of other comic book adaptations from Sony Pictures, which means the sequel will have to go into production sometime in 2019.

Though the first one was panned by critics — it holds a 28 percent rating on reviews aggregator Rotten Tomatoes — the Tom Hardy-starrer Venom turned out to be a gigantic financial success for Sony Pictures. Venom grossed over $855 million (about Rs. 5,993.63 crores) at the worldwide box office during its theatrical run, with over $270 million (about Rs. 1,903.71 crores) from China and $210 million (about Rs. 1,495.60 crores) from the US. The film was made on a reported budget of $100 million (about Rs. 700.75 crores).

Hardy is expected to return for Venom 2, alongside Michelle Williams, who played his ex-fiancée in the original. Variety was the first to report. The Venom sequel will also [spoiler alert] introduce another iconic Spider-Man villain in Carnage (Woody Harrelson), who was teased in a post-credits scene with Venom. Sony Pictures has yet to find a new director for Venom 2. In addition to Marcel, Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, and Amy Pascal will return as producers.

Venom 2 is part of Sony Pictures' strategy to build its own Marvel universe, which also includes Jared Leto-starrer Morbius the Living Vampire, slated to begin production in early 2019 — February, most likely — for a July 10, 2020 release. Sony is also actively developing other Spider-Man spin-off movies based on the likes of Silver Sable, Black Cat, and Silk. The new Spider-Man aka Peter Parker, played by Tom Holland, who is also part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is expected to appear in future spin-offs.