Thanks to the teaser in the first game’s ending, many fans are excited about the debut of Venom in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, but the sequel should ignore the most iconic Venom symbiote host, Eddie Brock, and capitalize on the character development of Harry Osborn. The ending of Marvel’s Spider-Man hinted at Harry’s transformation into Venom. Disgraced former New York City mayor Norman Osborn visited his son in a stasis pod and witnessed movement from the goo within that many interpreted as foreshadowing a new version of the Venom symbiote.
In the comics many Spider-Man supporting characters have taken on the identity of Venom over the years by merging with the symbiotic alien. Spider-Man’s high school bully turned war hero, Flash Thompson, was a Venom host who dubbed himself Agent Venom. Mac Gargan, alias of the villain Scorpion, became a scorpion-themed Venom. The actor who played Harry in the first game noted players may see Harry’s face changing in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, as the actor is not returning to reprise the role. It remains to be seen whether Harry’s character will have a more significant change, by becoming Venom.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Should Make Its Venom Harry
Although Norman Osborne was irredeemably evil in the first game, the fact that he was motivated to cure his son Harry’s illness did provide the character some humanity. Harry’s presence in the original title was mostly via audio logs, but they were sufficient to establish his close friendship with Peter Parker. The mystery of Harry’s whereabouts was revealed, as he was reportedly in Europe dealing with family business matters when he was in fact in a secret laboratory where Norman worked to cure Harry’s terminal illness.
It remains to be seen whether the upcoming video game’s Venom will remain alien in origin, or simply the product of terrestrial science gone wrong. Beyond defining his origins, Venom’s role in the story remains a mystery. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 has a Venom dilemma, since the character has occupied roles ranging from villain to anti-hero to heroic protagonist, depending on the host and the story arc in question. Fans have varying expectations for Venom, but whatever role Venom takes, Harry is the right choice for the human beneath the suit.
Insomniac’s teasers have suggested Venom and Kraven the Hunter will be the primary antagonists in the second game, although that leaves room for additional enemies if it follows the original game’s template. One key to the success of Marvel’s Spider-Man was the effort it made to develop relationships between Peter and his foes. Peter saw the altruistic side of Martin Lee before learning the truth of Lee’s Mr. Negative persona. Otto Octavius’ tragic fall from grace, and his transformation to Dr. Octopus, was given appropriate dramatic weight, as well.
Spider-Man 2 Doesn't Need Eddie Brock
With the number of hanging plot threads from Marvel’s Spider-Man, and new villains to introduce, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man 3, the third Sam Raimi film, could end up with the same problem. The movie tried to do too much in its runtime and sacrificed developing any one of its three villains sufficiently. A video game can cover more ground in its storytelling than the limited duration of a movie, however. Still, introducing a new character, Eddie Brock, and developing him sufficiently to take on the Venom role makes less sense than simply using the established Harry Osborn character.
Eddie Brock is and likely always will be the identity most synonymous with Venom. The Tom Hardy depiction of the character has rekindled interest in the Brock Venom, and the story of a man bitter at both sides of Peter Parker’s identity who bonds with the symbiote after Spider-Man rejects it makes for an ideal origin for a very personal antagonist. The sequel may split the narrative, although Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 might play favorites, and focus on Peter Parker without much screen time for Miles Morales.
If both Spider-Man characters do receive equal narrative focus, some theorize Venom might be Peter’s enemy while Miles contends with Kraven. Until Insomniac provides more information fans will continue guessing. Based on the storytelling skill the developer has exhibited thus far with the series, there is a good chance Harry Osborne will be Venom in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, not a hastily introduced Eddie Brock.