Tom Hardy’s portrayal of Venom is making its last appearance on the big screen in Venom: The Last Dance, the third installment of Sony’s Spider-Man villain trilogy. The film has garnered $8.5 million from Thursday previews, setting the stage for its opening weekend.
Early projections indicate that The Last Dance is on track to earn approximately $65 million in its debut. If these estimates hold true, it would mark the lowest opening weekend for the trilogy, which includes the original Venom released in 2018 and its sequel, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, which debuted in 2021. Despite the projected decline in box office performance, the film is expected to gross around $180 million globally, having already secured $35.8 million worldwide.
The Venom franchise, while not integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe alongside Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, has maintained a loyal fan base, even in the face of critical reviews that have not always been favorable. The third film carries a production budget of $120 million, which it is poised to recoup, especially as it expands into more international markets.
The first film in the series opened with $10 million in previews and ultimately earned a staggering $856 million globally, setting the stage for future sequels and spin-offs. Its sequel, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, saw a slight increase in preview earnings with $11.6 million, leading to a robust $90 million opening during the pandemic, when many theaters were still recovering from closures. That film concluded its theatrical run with a total of $506 million worldwide.
In Venom: The Last Dance, Hardy reprises his role as Eddie Brock, who, along with his symbiotic partner Venom, finds himself on the run from the U.S. government as well as alien adversaries from Venom’s home planet. The film picks up immediately after the events of Let There Be Carnage, promising fans an action-packed conclusion to the series.
The cast features an ensemble that includes Juno Temple, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rhys Ifans, Peggy Lu, Alanna Ubach, Stephen Graham, and Cristo Fernandez, adding depth and intrigue to the final chapter of Venom’s journey.
Alongside The Last Dance, another film debuting this weekend is Conclave, a drama set within the Vatican. The film stars Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal tasked with selecting the successor to the recently deceased Pope. Conclave is projected to earn between $4 million and $6 million in its opening weekend, having pulled in $500,000 during previews.
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As Venom: The Last Dance makes its mark at the box office, the film’s legacy is already being discussed among fans and critics alike. While it may not achieve the same commercial success as its predecessors, it stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of the character and the franchise. Hardy’s performance has consistently drawn audiences, and the narrative direction taken by writer-director Kelly Marcel promises a fitting farewell for this chapter of Venom’s saga.
With its mix of action, humor, and the complex relationship between Brock and Venom, the film aims to resonate with long-time fans and newcomers alike. As the box office results roll in, all eyes will be on how this final installment measures up against the previous films, both in terms of financial success and audience reception.
As the film industry continues to adapt to changing viewer preferences and market conditions, the Venom series remains a notable example of a successful franchise that has carved out its niche, captivating audiences despite fluctuating critical reception. Whether or not this final chapter lives up to the heights of its predecessors, it is clear that Tom Hardy’s Venom has left an indelible mark on the landscape of superhero cinema.