Fresh off the news that it’s developing a Spider-Man spinoff featuring Black Cat and Silver Sable, comes the story that Sony’s Venom movie will be R-rated. The studio also plans to use the character to begin its own Marvel Universe.

Making the film R-rated is no surprise considering the success of Logan and Deadpool. However, Sony launching a full-fledged movie universe seems like a big risk considering its history with the Spider-Man films.

While Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2 were hits, Spider-Man 3 was the start of the franchise’s downfall with the studio. Subsequent reboots eventually led to a deal with Marvel to incorporate the hero into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Venom is an alien parasite that imbues its hosts with the same powers of Spider-Man, the creature’s first host. So, how will the studio tell a Venom story without including Peter Parker? Technically they can use the character, but it seems unlikely they would want to confuse things with Peter currently appearing in the MCU with The Avengers.

The last time Venom appeared on the big screen, it was in the form of Eddie Brock portrayed by Topher Grace in Spider-Man 3. The less said about that mess, the better.

The Venom film is being written by Dante Harper, the writer behind Alien: Covenant. Presumably he will understand the tone and how to make the character appropriately scary.

Venom is scheduled for release October 5, 2018.

So, what are your thoughts on Sony launching its own Marvel Universe? Will it work? Which Venom host should the film focus on and who should play them?

Source: Collider