By Chris Snellgrove | Published
Spider-Man's movie rights are still owned by Sony, and he only appears in the MCU through a complex deal the studio made with Disney. So far, that deal has really worked for House of Mouse: presales Spider-Man: A New Day point to a film with a $250 million opening, cementing the twippy, quippy web-head as Marvel's most popular star. As for Sony, they spent a little money trying to create a cinematic environment for Spider-Man's enemies and allies, but this resulted in Morbius, The Kravenagain Madame Web. In fact, Sony's most popular franchise character has been Venom, who had his own hit trilogy.
Ironically, the success of the Venom movies starring Tom Hardy (who was a ridiculously perfect Eddie Brock) created a problem for Kevin Feige and his writers. Part of the symbiote is left behind in the stinger Spider-Man: No Way Homebut probably the audience might hatred if the MCU gave us its own version of Eddie Brock turning into Venom. However, Feige may have another plan unfolding right before our eyes. In Spider-Man: A New Daywe see the return of Mac Gargan as Scorpion. In the comics, he becomes the second Venom, and he may do so in the MCU after that Avengers: Secret Wars.
He's been here all along
Mac Gargan made his MCU debut Spider-Man: Homecoming. There, he was trying to buy unknown weapons from some of the Vulture's employees. He and Spider-Man battled during the Staten Ferry Incident, and we last saw Gargan in prison, where he met Vulture and discussed his hatred for the web-head. Now, Gargan is returning to this cinematic universe in a big way. In Spider-Man: A New Dayhe plays Scorpion, a supervillain whose suit of armor and deadly tail make him nearly unstoppable. However, in the latest trailer, we see Spidey defeat him in a brutal way that leaves the hero wondering if he's losing control.
So, what does this have to do with Gargan potentially playing Venom in the MCU? In the Marvel comics, there is a strange moment when a symbiote meets a villain, something he agrees to in exchange for new powers. He gets that power and oscillates between being a villain in the antihero genre, first with the Thunderbolts and then with Dark Avengers, where he pretends to be Spider-Man. Eventually, he is captured and thrown into a raft, where the symbiote is forced out. It later returns to Eddie Brock, but not before meeting the most unlikely host of all: Flash Thompson, Peter Parker's high school bully.
The Sting of Venom
Most of the ingredients for Mac Gargan becoming Venom are already in place in the MCU. For example, he has held a grudge against Spider-Man ever since Returning homeand it looks like that grudge will grow even bigger after he turns his tail on her. Brand new Day. At this point, Gargan will likely be interested in anything that gives him an edge over Spidey, including being close to the symbiote. From the Venom movies, we know how aggro the suit can be on its own. If the symbiote bonds with a supervillain instead of a crusading reporter, the result can be very, very deadly. it is dangerous Poison.
However, when would this happen? It could happen as soon as the next Spider-Man movie, especially if the rumors are anything to go by Brand new Day is part of a new trilogy that takes place. But it can also happen outside the screen because Avengers: Secret Wars. Kevin Feige has already confirmed that this film will reboot the MCU, paving the way for the re-release of established heroes like Iron Man and Captain America. It would also change some of the lore of this cinematic universe (like adding a bunch of mutants), so that the reset would just turn Gargan into Venom. This would only make sense since comic book Spidey was first paired with the symbiote in the original Secret Wars.
Now, is this possible? At this point, it's anyone's guess. MCU executives would really like Spider-Man to fight Venom, but Sony executives may object to the use of their most popular cinematic character. If they disagreed at all, it would probably depend on his background completely different. Making Venom Mac Gargan replace Eddie Brock might fit the bill, and it would be kind of poetic. After all, that could mean Spider-Man's biggest Big Bad is introduced Returning homeback when many fans dismissed Gargan as one villain!
