What Venom’s Future Means For Tom Holland’s Spider-Man

Warning: Major SPOILERS ahead for Venom: Let There Be Carnage.

Venom's future after Venom: Let There Be Carnage could have a big impact on what comes next for Tom Holland's Spider-Man. Sony's ownership of Spider-Man's live-action rights originally kept him out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but that changed when Sony and Marvel Studios reached an unprecedented agreement to share the iconic superhero. This allowed Tom Holland to become Spider-Man and debut in Captain America: Civil War in 2016, and he's continued to be a big part of the MCU ever since.

At the same time that Sony experienced the success of Spider-Man with the MCU, the studio began planning their own Marvel shared universe using supporting characters and villains best associated with Peter Parker. 2018's Venom was the first entry in Sony's Spider-Man Universe and saw Tom Hardy first appear as Eddie Brock. The movie was a huge hit at the box office and gave Sony the confidence to expand on their plans. This understandably included a sequel Venom: Let There Be Carnage, which brought Hardy's Venom back to fight Cletus Kasady aka Carnage (Woody Harrelson). However, neither of these movies was produced by Marvel Studios, which signaled to fans that they were in a separate universe from the MCU. That didn't stop fans - and even Hardy and Holland - from expressing their desire to see Venom and Spider-Man crossover. Furthermore, Sony executives clearly wanted to find a way to bring the two popular characters together on screen for the first time since 2007's Spider-Man 3.

Thanks to Venom 2's post-credits scene, it does appear that this is set to happen at some point in the future. The scene officially brings Tom Hardy's Venom to the MCU, presumably through the power of the multiverse, and shows him watching TV footage of Spider-Man's secret identity being revealed. It's an extension of what happened during Spider-Man: Far From Home's ending, with Tom Holland shown unmasked in the Spider-Man suit. The implication of where Venom's story is going raises some big questions about what the future holds for Peter Parker.

Tom Holland's MCU Future Explained

Tom Holland Spider-Man Marvel Studios SR

Tom Holland has already appeared in five MCU movies as Spider-Man, and his current contract with Marvel and Sony is winding down. Holland's original contract to play Spider-Man was previously extended so he could appear in two more movies. The first is Spider-Man: No Way Home. The third film in his solo Spider-Man franchise is one of Phase 4's most anticipated projects, largely due to various rumors about its multiverse plot. It is also confirmed that Holland is under contract to appear as Spider-Man again in one other MCU movie. This won't be a fourth solo film, but rather see him return as Peter in a supporting role similar to that of Captain America: Civil War or Avengers: Infinity War. Interestingly, Holland has said that his Marvel contract is up after Spider-Man: No Way Home, which either contradicts the original announcement or implies that he already shot his other appearance.

Holland's future as Spider-Man beyond these two films is unknown. There was a period of time where these upcoming appearances seemed unlikely even. Sony and Disney couldn't strike a deal to continue sharing Spider-Man at first, which led to Sony beginning to eye how to use Holland instead. This reportedly would've included a fourth solo film. However, Sony and Disney eventually found a deal that worked for all parties involved. The terms of the deal give Marvel Studios a share of the production costs and box office gross, while it was also teased that Spider-Man could play a part in the MCU and Sony's Spider-Man Universe. There is a strong chance that the current Spider-Man deal between Sony and Disney will be extended again, as work on Spider-Man: No Way Home seems to have been quite collaborative to pull off a story that works for what each shared universe is planning. If the deal is extended, then Holland should continue to play Spider-Man in the MCU for the foreseeable future. Otherwise, Spider-Man would eventually be ripped out of the MCU and live on exclusively in Sony's Spider-Man Universe.

Venom's MCU Spider-Man Crossover Doesn't Count In Holland's Remaining Movies

Due to Holland's Spider-Man contract, his appearance in Venom 2's post-credits could raise some questions. It appears that Holland shot new footage for this version of J. Jonah Jameson's report, unless the movie is pulling previously unused footage or from something that will appear in Spider-Man: No Way Home. In either case, the good news for fans is that Holland's appearance in Venom 2's post-credits scene isn't the mystery film role that has been teased in the past. It was explicitly stated in the most recent deal between Sony and Disney that Spider-Man would appear in another MCU movie that isn't Spider-Man: No Way Home. So far, that movie is not confirmed, but it certainly isn't Venom 2. Marvel Studios officially wasn't involved in the sequel, so the plans for him to appear in another MCU movie are for something else.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage might not count against Holland's Spider-Man contract, but it is a strong indication that he will keep playing the character. Sony wouldn't tease fans with the idea of Holland and Hardy sharing the screen if it wasn't something they knew would happen. While there's a chance this could happen in Spider-Man: No Way Home, this credits scene points to them eventually having a proper Spider-Man/Venom crossover either way. If Holland isn't already under contract for a movie that brings Spider-Man and Venom together, it gives him incredible leverage with Sony to get any deal he wants from them.

What Tom Holland's Future MCU Movies Will Be

When it comes to Tom Holland's MCU future as Spider-Man, there are several popular guesses for what his "final" appearance will be after Spider-Man: No Way Home. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness could be the answer since Doctor Strange is slated to appear in Spidey's sequel. If it is Peter's secret identity reversal spell that is partially responsible for cracking the multiverse, it would then make sense for Spider-Man to appear in Strange's sequel. Doctor Strange 2's title confirms that it will deal heavily with the multiverse, so it is possible that will include resolving a few parts of No Way Home's events.

If Holland doesn't return in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Marvel Studios could have plans to use him in Fantastic Four instead. The MCU's movie for Marvel's First Family is being directed by Jon Watts, who helmed all three of Holland's Spider-Man solo movies, so his potential involvement in Holland's last appearance makes sense. There is even great history in the comics between Spider-Man and Fantastic Four for the MCU to draw upon. The very first issue of The Amazing Spider-Man in 1963 saw Spider-Man interact with the Fantastic Four and begin the fun friendship/rivalry between him and Human Torch.

There's also the possibility that Marvel Studios saves Holland's MCU crossover appearance for an even bigger property. Avengers 5 would be another great spot for Spider-Man to appear, especially if it is an adaptation of Secret Wars as many fans hope. Phase 4's rapid expansion of the multiverse means the MCU's version of the famous comic storyline will come eventually. If Secret Wars is among the dozens of projects Marvel Studios is currently developing, this could be where Spider-Man makes one final MCU appearance and even get the black symbiote Spider-Man suit to echo the comics.

Will Spider-Man Lead The Spider-Verse?

Spider-Man Tobey Maguire Tom Holland Andrew Garfield

Potentially the biggest question about Spider-Man's future that comes after Venom: Let There Be Carnage is if he'll go on to lead Sony's Spider-Verse. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige already mentioned that Spider-Man is unique in his ability to cross between different universes. This heavily implied that Holland's hero will spend time with the MCU and Spider-Verse, and Venom 2's post-credits only strengthen that belief. However, it is unclear to what magnitude Holland's character will interact with Sony's Spider-Man universe. The answer could come down to how Sony and Marvel Studios agreed to operate moving forward. If the multiverse splitting means the Spider-Verse is permanently joining the main MCU continuity, then Holland can lead this section of the universe while still holding a major role in the MCU.

Holland's Spider-Man is the natural choice to lead the Spider-Verse either way. Even if Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield return as their version of Spider-Man in Spider-Man: No Way Home, it is difficult to imagine either of them sticking around for very long. Either might be convinced to appear in a few more films, but it is Holland's Spider-Man who is insanely popular right now and capable of leading the Spider-Verse. Meanwhile, it makes the most sense for Sony's universe to shift its attention more towards Spider-Man as the center and allow Venom, Morbius, Kraven the Hunter, Spider-Woman, and other characters to build their stories around him. Venom: Let There Be Carnage is the first official sign that Sony is building its Spider-Verse, and it would be wise for Holland's Spider-Man to be involved moving forward.

More: All 12 Spider-Man Universe Movies Releasing After Venom 2 (& When)