The latest movie is Sony's growing Spider-Man cinematic universe is set to be released with Venom: Let There Be Carnage. The much-anticipated sequel will not only see the return of Eddie Brock and his misbehaving symbiote partner, but it will also introduce fan-favorite villain Carnage. But fans hoping for a more gruesome sequel to do the beloved character justice may be disappointed to hear of the movie's official rating.
According to Film Ratings, Venom: Let There Be Carnage will be rated PG-13. While it will surely be a letdown for some Spider-Man fans, the reasons given for the rating suggest Venom 2 will be a dark superhero movie with "intense sequences of violence and action, some strong language, disturbing material, and suggestive references."
The sequel finds Tom Hardy once again playing Eddie as he attempts to come to terms with living bonded to Venom, the man-eating and reckless alien symbiote, while the two work together as a vigilante force. Their relationship and quest to be heroes are tested when an imprisoned killer named Cletus Cassidy (Woody Harrelson) escapes from prison and becomes the host of an even deadlier symbiote known as Carnage.
Lord of the Rings actor Andy Serkis is stepping behind the camera as director of the sequel, replacing Ruben Fleischer, who directed the original. Kelly Marcel wrote the sequel and shares a Venom 2 story credit with Hardy. Joining Hardy and Harrelson in the movie are returning cast members Michelle Williams and Reid Scott as well as new addition Stephen Graham as Detective Mulligan and Naomie Harris as Marvel villain Shriek.
When reception to the first Venom movie was split, many fans pointed to the fact that it would have benefited from an R-rating that would allow the movie to embrace the character's darker aspects. With the sequel introducing the even more brutal character of Carnage, those same fans will likely be bringing up that same issue. It does feel like this movie would have been a good opportunity for Sony to test out more adult stories for their Marvel movies.
However, with continuing rumors that Venom will be crossing over with Spider-Man, it makes sense that the studio would want to avoid alienating young audiences. But the quality of a movie rarely rests solely on the difference between PG-13 and R. The thing audiences should be hoping for is a good story and an exciting face-off between these iconic adversaries. With a stellar cast and the intrigue of Serkis behind the camera, this could be the Venom movie all fans have been waiting for.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage is scheduled to be released in theaters on October 15, 2021.
Source: Film Ratings