THE Poison The films brought fans thrilling, dark, and action-packed stories about Marvel’s complex antihero, Eddie Brock, and his chaotic symbiote, Venom. Starring Tom Hardy, these films grew beyond a single plot to create a compelling mini-universe within Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU). Each installment builds on Brock’s relationship with Venom and his battles with various enemies, both human and superhuman. The trilogy’s gritty take on the antihero and its talented cast made these films popular with readers of darker comic book narratives.
With Venom: The Last DanceTom Hardy Poison the trilogy concluded in spectacular fashion, attracting new and familiar faces to round out Eddie Brock’s journey at SSU. Interestingly, many of the actors who played characters in the Poison The films also played other iconic roles from the comics in film and TV. This article highlights these actors and the other important roles they played in the MCU timeline and the DCU.
6
Tom Hardy played Eddie Brock
Tom Hardy also played Bane in The Dark Knight Rises
Tom Hardy is the center of attention in Poison series as Eddie Brock, a journalist who bonds with an alien symbiote called Venom. by Eddie The struggle to control his new mortal partner leads to clashes with authoritiescrime syndicates and other dangerous symbiotes. Hardy’s performance as Eddie adds a gritty, intense, and sometimes humorous touch to the character, making him a memorable antihero in the SSU.
Before PoisonHardy played another iconic comic book character: Bane in Christopher Nolan’s film The Dark Knight Rises. Hardy’s Bane was a physical powerhouse with unparalleled tactical intelligence, Determined to break Batman and destroy Gotham’s corrupt institutions. His imposing physical transformation and chilling voice became instantly iconic. Hardy’s Bane was much more grounded than his Venom character, but both roles highlighted Hardy’s versatility in embodying intimidating and driven characters.
5
Rhys Ifans played Martin Moon
Rhys Ifans also played the lizard in The Amazing Spider-Man and the MCU
In Venom: The Last DanceRhys Ifans appears as Martin Moon, the aging hippie who leads his family on a trip to Area 51. Becoming friends with Eddie Brock along the way, the Moon family offers the heroes a ride, where they promptly sing along to David Bowie and offer Eddie and Venom a slice of normalcy and family life. Moons appear everywhere Venom: The Last Dance and are present during the climactic battle where they are rescued by Venom and the other symbiotes in The last dancefinally fulfilling Martin’s wish to see an alien.
Rhys Ifans is no stranger to playing comic book characters. He played Dr. Curt Connors, aka the Lizard, in The Amazing Spider-Man. Connors de Ifans is a complex character: a well-intentioned scientist who transforms into a monstrous creature after trying it on yourself. The actor reprized this role in Spider-Man: No Way Home in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where he joined other villains from the multiverse. The Lizard’s monstrous nature and dual identity as scientist and predator contrast with his role as Martin Moon.
4
Andy Serkis played the villain Knull
Andy Serkis also played Alfred in Batman and Ulysses Klaue in the MCU
Andy Serkis played Knull, the God of the Symbiotes in Venom: The Last Dance. Serkis uses his trademark motion capture skills to play and voice Knull. Knull’s role as the symbiotes’ dark creator is crucial to the trilogy’s lore, giving insight into Venom’s own origins and the symbiotes’ broader mythology. Serkis’ chilling voice and unique acting skills create a formidable presence, even in limited scenes. In addition to acting, Serkis also directed Venom: Let There Be Carnagebringing an intimate understanding of the symbiotes to both sides of the camera.
In addition PoisonAndy Serkis is known for playing Alfred Pennyworth in Batmanwhere he played Bruce Wayne’s loyal but world-weary guardian and mentor. Serkis brought a grounded and compassionate side to Alfred that differentiated his portrayal. Additionally, Serkis played Ulysses Klaue in the MCU, a chaotic arms dealer who first appears in Avengers: Age of Ultron and later in Black Panther. As Klaue, Serkis embodied a reckless and greedy villain, adding a vibrant and unstable energy to the MCU. Each of these roles showcases Serkis’ ability to bring complex characters to life in comic book adaptations.
3
Juno Temple played Dr.
Juno Temple also played Jen in The Dark Knight Rises
In Venom: The Last DanceJuno Temple has joined the SSU as Dr. Teddy Payne, a character with her own hidden motives and unique connection to Venom and Eddie Brock. Temple is an original character made for the filmwith a tragic origin story in which his brother was killed by lightning. Temple’s portrayal of Payne brings a sense of mystery and intensity. It heightens the high-stakes drama surrounding the Symbiotes, culminating in their bond with the Symbiote Agony.
Before Venom: The Last DanceTemple had a supporting role in The Dark Knight Riseswhere she played Jen, Selina Kyle’s roommate and accomplice. Although her screen time was limited, Temple’s role as Jen added depth to Selina’s character, hinting at a complicated past. Jen was based on the DC character Holly Robinsonwho plays a similar role in the comics, and temporarily took on the mantle of Catwoman when Selina was pregnant with her daughter.
2
Chiwetel Ejiofor played Rex Strickland
Chiwetel Ejiofor also played Mordo in the MCU
Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Rex Strickland in Venom: The Last Dancea soldier who discovered the symbiotes when they landed on Earth. He later hunts down Eddie and Venom, working for a shadowy military agency. Ejiofor’s Strickland was formidable and relentless in his pursuit, initially serving as a secondary antagonist.
Chiwetel Ejiofor also stars as Karl Mordo in the MCU, first appearing in Doctor Strange and later reprising his role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Mordo begins as an ally of Doctor Strange, but gradually becomes a morally complex antagonist with his own principles and conflicts. An unresolved MCU narrative involves Mordo trying to rid the world of sorcerers, just like his character in the comics. Although this narrative began in Doctor Strangewas not fully realized.
1
Alanna Ubach played Nova Moon
Alanna Ubach also played Liz Allan in The Amazing Spider-Man
Alanna Ubach appears in Venom: The Last Dance like New Moon. Nova is the wife of Rhys Ifans’ Martin Moon, playing the generous and caring mother who gives Eddie Brock a ride. Like her husband, Nova is a hippie type, but is less convinced about the existence of aliens. However, Nova is very supportive of her husband’s search and is proved to be a caring mother, even to Eddie.
Before Venom: The Last Dance, Ubach voiced Liz Allan in the animated series The Amazing Spider-Man. As Liz, she played Peter Parker’s high school love interest, adding a softer side to the action-packed, high-stakes series. Liz has appeared in several Spider-Man adaptations as Peyer’s love interest, including Spider-Man: Coming Home. In The Amazing Spider-Man, Liz’s presentation complicates Peter’s relationship with Gwen Stacy. Regardless, Ubach offers an equally benign and likeable presence in both the animated series and the Poison films.
-
Venom is a sci-fi action film starring Tom Hardy as Marvel’s titular antihero. When the Life Foundation begins experimenting on alien life forms found on a comet that has landed nearby, investigative journalist Eddie Brock begins investigating them. When an infiltration goes wrong, Eddie discovers that one of the aliens has bonded with him, forcing him to learn to live with his new, unwanted host. Giving him superhuman powers, the two begin working together to stop the rest of the symbiote’s invasive species.
-
Venom: Let There Be Carnage, directed by Andy Serkis, follows Eddie Brock, played by Tom Hardy, as he struggles to coexist with the alien symbiote Venom. The film introduces antagonist Cletus Kasady, a serial killer transformed into the menacing Carnage after becoming host to an alien symbiote.
-
Venom: The Last Dance is the third and final chapter in Sony’s symbiote trilogy, starring Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock. It follows the events of Let There Be Carnage, where the antihero fought serial killer Cletus Kasady, and Spider-Man: No Way Home, where Brock was briefly transported to the MCU across the multiverse.
Release Dates for Sony’s Upcoming Marvel Movies
- Release date
-
December 13, 2024