It’s been three long years since Sony released Venom and surprised MCU audiences with how well they told Eddie Brock’s story. Despite the lackluster ratings the movie received from Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb, Marvel fans have given Venom high praises all over the internet.
Actor Tom Hardy did an excellent job bringing his character to life and has popped up in numerous other well-known films throughout his career. Now that the wait for Venom: Let There Be Carnage is finally drawing to a close, there are plenty of other movies to see Hardy in while anxiously awaiting the Venom sequel.
This Means War
This Means War delivers the same campy tone that Venom does, combining action, adventure, and raunchy comedy to tell the story of two best friends who accidentally fall for the same woman. Hardy acts alongside Star Trek and Wonder Woman star, Chris Pine, as they use their FBI training to sabotage each other’s plans for love and save the day while doing it.
This Means War is currently streaming on Hulu.
The Dark Knight Rises
Before diving into the world of Marvel Comics, Hardy played Bane in the infamous Dark Knight Rises film, the third and final installation of Christopher Nolan’s epic Batman trilogy.
Hardy hangs up his hero clothes to tackle the role of an unrelenting big bad, donning a mask and shaved head that makes him physically unrecognizable. Hardy does, however, bring the same level of talent and finesse to this DC villain that he does to all his other roles, telling Bane’s story with as much conviction as possible.
The Dark Knight Rises is currently streaming on HBO Max.
Capone
For those who enjoyed watching Hardy struggling to balance the line between right and wrong while under the influence of a symbiote in Venom, Capone offers a similar story. Hardy takes on the role of notorious gangster Al Capone and captures his final days of living in this dramatic film. The movie shows how Capone struggled to cope with the guilt of his violent actions, as he falls deeper and deeper into his dementia. Hardy’s wife is played by Linda Cardellini, who’s previous roles include Velma in Scooby-Doo and Laura Barton in the Avengers movies.
Capone is available on Amazon Prime.
Inception
Inception is another popular movie created by Christopher Nolan, detailing the epic events within a dream world created by special technology. Hardy plays a character named Eames, who can project different identities onto others, making them see him as someone he isn't.
This unique ability of his is not unlike the powers that Loki has used over and over again throughout the MCU, making this film the perfect choice for fans of both Venom and Loki. Hardy’s character shares some of Loki’s most prominent personality traits, as well, from enjoyment for mischievous fun to taking on the role of a loner.
Inception is now streaming on Netflix, HBO Max and is available on Amazon Prime.
Locke
Locke is a unique psychological thriller that puts Hardy as the only actor visible on screen, since most of the film takes place in a car. During this drive, Hardy’s character engages in numerous phone calls with his wife, children, and boss. One of Hardy's children, Eddie, is played by Tom Holland. Although the voices of other characters are heard, the movie is solely focused on the mental journey Hardy’s character goes through, while having life-changing conversations with his loved ones on the phone and in his own imagination.
This movie doesn’t have as much action as Venom does, but like Capone, it does capture Hardy’s ability to perfectly depict the struggles people face when determining right from wrong.
Locke is currently streaming on Showtime.
Venom
The most obvious movie to watch before Venom: Let There Be Carnage is, of course, the original Venom film. Tom Hardy is now most known for his portrayal of Eddie Brock, because of how well he nailed the character. Since it’s been so many years since the release of this movie, fans who haven’t watched it in a while should stream it again before going to see the sequel, and try to catch any important details they missed upon their first viewing. Venom contains a ton of easter eggs, in typical Marvel fashion, despite not being part of the official MCU and it’s post-credit scene even set things up for the sequel.
Fans are hopeful that the sequel will set the series up for more installments in the future, and even Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has teased the idea of there being a Spider-Man and Venom crossover in the future. Although Venom has yet to make his debut in the official MCU, it’s clear that his story is far from over.
Watch the original Venom on Amazon Prime.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage is set for release on October 15, 2021.