Normally, if you have a film that earns more than $850 million worldwide, a studio is going to be anxious to keep the core team of filmmakers involved to make sure the sequel captures the same essence that made the first film so popular. Well, if you’re Sony and you’re working on “Venom 2,” apparently you want to throw out everything and start from scratch. Oh and make sure Tom Hardy has a lot of input.
Just recently, it was confirmed that Sony has hired director Andy Serkis to take over the helming duties of its highly-anticipated superhero sequel. Serkis takes over for the first film’s director Ruben Fleischer, who is off working on “Zombieland 2.” (But probably wasn’t going to be back for the sequel anyway, considering the hammering the first film took from critics.)
READ MORE: ‘Venom 2’: Andy Serkis Confirmed As The Sequel’s Director
And according to a new TCA panel featuring Serkis (via /Film), the director was able to shed some light on his sequel, which apparently is starting fresh, with Tom Hardy very much involved in the creation of the story this time around.
“I’m right at the beginning stages,” Serkis said. “I’ve got some very clear ideas about the journey I’d like to see visually and how we can take the characters into another dimension.”
He added, “Tom is very involved with the writing with Kelly Marcel of the new story, so it’s very much centered around their take.”
By most accounts, Hardy was the saving grace of the first film. So, considering Sony had a legion of credited writers on “Venom” and has found a new director for the sequel, why not let Hardy take the reins and help shape the script?
Plus, Serkis says he’s excited to work with his old friend Hardy and has high hopes for his superhero sequel.
“I’ve known Tom for many years and always admired him hugely as an actor and producer,” the director said. “We’ve always wanted to work together directly. I’m deeply excited to work with Tom Hardy and to work with all the great actors who are involved in it. It’s a fantastic franchise. I’m really honored to have been asked to direct it and it feels like it’s a very contemporary story. I think it’s going to be hopefully an extraordinary piece of cinema.”
“Venom 2” was originally expected for fall 2020, but with word that Hardy is working on a script with the writer, maybe Sony isn’t trying to rush this one out to meet a release date. We’ll have to wait and see.