As a general rule of thumb, if Tom Hardy has a part – literally any part – we’re giving it a red-hot crack, no matter how goofy the official title or concept. Yes, there was actually enough of an audience and plenty of box office revenue to justify the upcoming Venom sequel Let There Be Carnage. Directed by the Godfather of Motion Capture Cinema, Andy Serkis, based on what we’ve seen in the first trailer alone, the film as a whole is under no illusions about what it is. This will be an unapologetic exercise in absurdity with Hardy in one corner of the CGI-laden showdown and Woody Harrelson in the other.
Since the events of the 2018 blockbuster, Hardy’s Eddie Brock has ostensibly learned to co-exist with his alien symbiote, the titular Venom, in a more seamless fashion, falling into a familiar rhythm not entirely unlike an old married couple. The key differences here, of course, being the chaos dial cranked way past 11 and more decapitations.
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The domestic bliss/cheery hostage situation is soon interrupted by the introduction of Harrelson’s Cletus Kasady, a convicted serial killer who eventually becomes the host for Venom’s arch-nemesis symbiote, the titular Carnage. Some of you may recall Cletus Kasady and Carnage were teased during the first film’s mid-credit scene. Cue explosions, sinister monologues, and Hardy shrugging himself into the role of reluctant hero.
The Venom sequel will also mark the return of both Michelle Williams as Anne Weying – district attorney and Eddie’s ex-fiancée – Reid Scott as Dr Dan Lewis – Anne’s current boyfriend – and Peggy Lu as Mrs Chen the storekeeper. Other names you can expect include Naomie Harris as Frances Barrison/Shriek and Stephen Graham as Detective Mulligan. The screenplay has been accomplished by Kelly Marcel (Bronson, Saving Mr Banks, Fifty Shades of Grey).
Venom: Let There Be Carnage starring Tom Hardy and Woody Harrelson will hit Aussie cinemas starting from September 16th of 2021 – watch the trailer above and a lengthier trailer breakdown complete with commentary from director Andy Serkis below.
