How Venom Let There Be Carnage Connects to the MCU

How Venom Let There Be Carnage Connects to the MCU

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re discussing how “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” Connects to the MCU.

For this video, we’ll be looking at how the “Venom” sequel opens the door for an MCU crossover. Naturally, if you haven’t seen “Let There Be Carnage” or several entries in the MCU, there will be spoiler-age.

What are your theories for the future of the MCU and the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters? Let us know in the comments!

When the first standalone “Venom” movie hit the scene in 2018, many wondered if the film would connect to the MCU, especially since Tom Holland’s Spider-Man got his first solo movie a year prior. Spider-Man ultimately didn’t connect to Eddie Brock’s origin story. However, producer Amy Pascal suggested that Venom and Sony’s other Marvel movies could cross over, calling them “adjuncts” to the MCU. There were also rumors that Holland filmed a cameo as Peter Parker for “Venom,” but Disney/Marvel supposedly had Sony cut it. “Venom” did hint at the idea of a multiverse, though, with a sneak peek at “Into the Spider-Verse.”

It makes sense why Holland’s Spider-Man didn’t appear in “Venom.” If “Justice League” and “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” proved anything, it’s that not every superhero movie is a guaranteed hit, even with a popular character at the forefront. People had mixed feelings going into “Venom” and if the film underperformed, there wouldn’t have been much desire for a crossover. While the critical reception wasn’t exactly positive, “Venom” grossed over $800 million, and - love or hate the film - we could all use more Tom Hardy in our lives. The movie’s success fueled Sony’s desire to proceed with their shared universe and maybe get Holland into future “Venom” movies.

Aside from a scene where Cletus Kasady crushes a spider, “Let There Be Carnage” makes few references to the web-crawler. That is until we get to the post-credits scene. Hiding out, Venom decides to share some of his knowledge with Eddie. During this process, though, a bright light flashes, and they’re suddenly transported to another hotel room, much to the confusion of both Eddie and Venom. The telenovela that had been playing on their TV is substituted with a news report from J. Jonah Jameson, played by the one and only J. K. Simmons. Jameson is ranting about the death of Mysterio, showing an unmasked image of Spider-Man, played by Holland.

After the multiverse was unleashed in “Loki,” we all knew that Marvel characters from other continuities might find themselves in the MCU. It appears “Let There Be Carnage” has officially brought Eddie and Venom into another cinematic universe, but this raises a few questions. Watching the TV, Venom seems to recognize Peter, saying, “That guy.” Could this mean that Venom has crossed paths with another version of Spider-Man in his universe? Or maybe it’s not Spider-Man that Venom recognizes, but Peter Parker.

It’s safe to assume that Spider-Man isn’t protecting New York in Eddie’s universe. Otherwise, he probably would’ve intervened in Riot and Carnage’s plots. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a Peter Parker in Eddie’s universe, however. It could just be a version of Peter who never got bitten by a radioactive spider. During Venom and Eddie’s “breakup” in “Let There Be Carnage,” the symbiote found a wide variety of other human hosts. What if Peter was one of them? It’s also possible that Venom and Eddie casually bumped into Peter in Queens one day. Venom has a photographic memory, so he might’ve recognized Peter on the TV.

There are a few other parallels between Sony’s Marvel Universe and the MCU. Early in the first “Venom,” Chris O’Hara briefly appears as John Jameson, J. Jonah Jameson’s son the astronaut. It’s also established that the Daily Bugle exists in Eddie’s universe, albeit as a newspaper rather than a website. So, Eddie’s universe most likely has its own version of Jonah, meaning there could be a version of Peter as well. Could that mean there’s another version of Eddie already in the MCU, though?

In any case, let’s dissect the main question that’s on everyone’s mind: is Venom going to be in “Spider-Man: No Way Home?” It’s been confirmed that Alfred Molina is returning as Doc Ock and Jamie Foxx is coming back as Electro. Based on the trailer, there’s a strong possibility that the Green Goblin will appear with Willem Dafoe (hopefully) reprising his role. While not confirmed, fans have also speculated that the trailer teases Sandman and the Lizard. So, that’s five villains. Will Venom be the sixth in the Sinister Six?

Well, not so fast. Hardy’s Venom has been an antihero up until this point. So, we doubt he’s going to become a full-blown villain, as much as he wants to eat people. Venom could instead emerge as Spidey’s unlikely ally, helping him restore order. With Peter’s secret identity out in the open, maybe he’ll seek refuge in Eddie’s universe, paving the way for Holland to have a prominent role in “Venom 3.”

In the “No Way Home” trailer, Peter is seen wearing a black and gold suit. We’re pretty positive this isn’t Peter’s black symbiote suit from the comics, but it might be foreshadowing things to come. Peter could be corrupted by a symbiote and, in an ironic twist, Eddie needs to save him. With the multiverse unleashed, we may also see Hardy’s Venom clash with Topher Grace’s Venom, leaving Spidey stuck in the middle. While Eddie has crossed over to the MCU, it seems Michael Keaton’s Vulture has arrived in Sony’s Marvel Universe. At least, that’s what the “Morbius” trailer implies. Perhaps Peter will venture to Sony’s Universe to catch Vulture and any other villains who’ve broken loose.

Of course, the rights over Spider-Man remain a pivotal factor. Although we all feared that Sony and Marvel might part ways after the release of “Far From Home,” they thankfully worked things out. Then again, if Disney’s recent creator lawsuits exemplify anything, it’s that the Mouse wants full rights to characters like Spider-Man. We see three possible futures: Disney and Sony continue to share Spider-Man, they go back to the negotiation tables yet again, or Disney simply buys Sony, although that last one might be a stretch.

Following “No Way Home,” Holland’s Spider-Man will reportedly appear in at least one more MCU movie. From there, it’s hard to say what’s next for Spidey in the MCU and Sony’s Universe. Box office will also be a factor, as Sony may lose some leverage if “Let There Be Carnage,” “Morbius,” or “Kraven the Hunter” disappoints. For now, though, Columbia Pictures president Sanford Panitch claims there is a plan to keep things connected, stating in June 2021, “I think when ‘No Way Home’ comes out, even more will be revealed.”

Whatever awaits, Venom’s presence in the MCU and “No Way Home” could set a precedent. If Venom can just pop up in the MCU, so can Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool. Scarlet Witch could even meet Ian McKellen or Michael Fassbender’s Magneto in “The Multiverse of Madness.” Perhaps we’re getting ahead of ourselves, but we say, let there be crossovers!