‘Venom’ Trailer: Tom Hardy Leaps Into The Spider-Verse

Yes, “Venom” is actually real and coming to cinemas later this year. The long developing project has always been a bit enigmatic, and it continues to be as it may or may not directly touch the universe established with “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” Either way, it gives Spidey’s iconic villain a showcase movie of his own, and not only does it have a great leading man, but a pretty excellent supporting ensemble as well. Can we say we’re cautiously optimist?

Tom Hardy takes the titular role with Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed, Jenny Slate and Woody Harrelson (is there a blockbuster this guy isn’t in?) rounding out the cast, for the film that still remains somewhat mysterious. But bringing it all together is director Ruben Fleischer (“Zombieland,” “Gangster Squad“), while there continue to be whispers that Tom Holland may be stopping by in the movie after all.

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We’ll soon see if that’s the case, but for now producer Matthew Tolmach wants the focus on Hardy’s performance.

“Eddie Brock is an incredible character and a gritty, real, authentic, funny but also embittered character and a truth-teller who has made mistakes. You know, Tom… it’s like a master class watching him act every day and he’s such a risk taker and he loved this character,” he told MTV News. “From the day that we first met with him, my partner Avi Arad and I… we found someone who just believed in this character entirely and yet every day pushes it to a place that us mere mortals would never expect it go. He just has crazy integrity about it and so he challenges everything we’re doing in the most brilliant way. For him, it’s like, ‘if I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it and give it it’s due.’ Because the love that the fans have for that character is profound and he shares it. So, it’s really exciting.”

“Venom” opens on October 5th.