Spider-Verse Producer Says “Kids Love Venom” When Describing Appeal Of R-Rated, Violent Superhero Film

Let’s go back to 1998 for a minute. During that year’s Grammy Awards, rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard (aka ODB) went on stage and said the infamous words “Wu-Tang is for the children.” The impromptu speech is one of the most quoted Grammy moments in history because of its absurdity. If you’ve listened to any Wu-Tang Clan song, you know, for a fact, that Wu-Tang is definitely not what your children should be listening to.

That being said, Sony’s upcoming “Venom” is definitely not for children. By all accounts, the Tom Hardy superhero film is prepping itself for a hard-R rating, and with the source material, that’s understandable. The premise is about an alien symbiote, grafting itself to a news reporter and then giving said reporter Spider-Man-esque powers. Oh yeah and he bites the heads off of people with his big, sharp teeth.

But “Venom” producer Avi Arad doesn’t see it that way. Despite the R-rating, guaranteed violence, and adult subject matter, Arad says “Venom” is for the children.

“This is an origin story and we have to try and make it the beginning of a long journey,” Arad tells Vulture. “Kids love Venom. It’s something about it that attracts the anti-hero sensibility. So we are very excited.”

He’s not wrong about children loving the character of Venom. It’s just that maybe they shouldn’t. There’s something about the design of the character that draws people to him. The suit looks cool. The big scary teeth and long tongue are striking images, clearly. But let’s not mistake that the “Venom” movie should not be focused on attracting children. If so, comic book fans are in for a bumpy ride.

Now, a person involved in the project that truly gets the appeal of “Venom” is none other than Tom Hardy, aka Eddie Brock, aka Venom. In an interview with EW, he says, “As far as Marvel characters, I have to say for me, Venom looks the coolest. That sounds a bit shallow! But I appreciate that he has a kind of brazen swagger and a zero foxtrot attitude.”

Hardy goes on to explain what drew him to the character of Venom and why he’s excited to tackle the film. “There’s a tragic clown element, which I find funny and is harmonious with some of the work that I like to do,” the actor says. “There’s something funny about the circumstances of having a gift but it’s a tragic gift. It’s a superpower you don’t really want, but at the same time, you love it. It makes you feel special. He’s a reluctant hero and an anti-hero.”

Of course, none of that would indicate Venom is for the children. Hardy echoes that sentiment when he concludes, “There’s that biting-off-heads issue, which is not what you would expect from, say, Captain America taking down a crook.”

Also, courtesy of EW, here are a couple new images from the film: