Venom vs. Spider-Man Nearly Happened—Tom Hardy Reveals Why It Fell Apart

In a recent interview, Tom Hardy revealed that a potential crossover between his character, Venom, and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man almost came to fruition, sparking excitement among fans who have longed for the iconic clash between these two comic book legends. Hardy, who portrays the anti-hero Venom in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU), shared that the crossover “got as close as I could possibly imagine getting,” but ultimately fell short due to what he referred to as “studio politics.”

The backdrop of this long-anticipated crossover lies in the intricate relationship between Sony and Marvel Studios. Sony, which holds the film rights to Spider-Man and related characters outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has had to navigate complicated negotiations, especially in light of their separate ownership of these beloved superheroes. Despite some crossover moments, such as Eddie Brock’s appearance in the mid-credits scene of Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), and Spider-Man’s brief cameo in Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), the two cinematic universes have operated largely in isolation.

Hardy’s comments, made during a March 31, 2025 interview on The Discourse Podcast with Mike DeAngelo, brought the topic back into the spotlight. The actor expressed enthusiasm for the potential crossover, highlighting the significance of the characters, especially for younger audiences. “It would have been so much fun… fundamentally, for me, it would be for the kids,” Hardy said, touching on the importance of these characters in pop culture.

However, when asked why the crossover didn’t materialize, Hardy referenced “studio politics” as the likely obstacle. His statement aligns with a history of creative and financial tensions between Sony and Marvel, particularly regarding the handling of Spider-Man. This disagreement has been well-documented, with Marvel’s Kevin Feige admitting in 2021 that coordination efforts for crossovers often faced difficulties due to differing corporate priorities.

The idea of a Venom-Spider-Man confrontation has been a topic of discussion for years. Back in 2019, director Ruben Fleischer hinted at plans to build toward this epic battle, but issues between Marvel and Sony, particularly over the rights to Spider-Man’s origin, caused the storyline to evolve. Fleischer’s comments further support Hardy’s recent reflection on the failure to make the crossover happen.

Adding fuel to fan frustration, Venom: The Last Dance (2025) included a post-credits scene that saw Eddie Brock transported to Earth-616 (MCU) following Doctor Strange’s spell in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Many fans viewed this as a tease for a future crossover, only to see Brock quickly returned to his own universe, leaving a sense of abandonment and dashed hopes.

From a business standpoint, Hardy’s reference to “studio politics” likely points to the ongoing struggle for dominance between Sony’s desire to develop its own Spider-Man-related universe and Marvel’s commitment to integrating Spider-Man into its larger MCU narrative. Sony’s SSU films, like Morbius and Madame Web, have not achieved the same level of success as the MCU, adding another layer of complexity to any potential crossover with Spider-Man. While Marvel’s collaboration with Sony in 2019 allowed Spider-Man to appear in MCU films like Avengers: Endgame, a full Venom-Spider-Man movie might have been seen as too risky or incompatible with the direction both studios were heading.

Fan reactions to Hardy’s comments have been mixed, with disappointment over the missed opportunity but also continued hope for future possibilities. Hardy himself has expressed his desire to face off against Spider-Man in past interviews, fueling speculation about the potential for the crossover to eventually happen. His remarks at the Venom: The Last Dance premiere in 2024, where he stated, “I’d love to fight Spider-Man,” reflect ongoing interest despite the finality of his character’s arc in the SSU.

Industry reactions, too, have echoed Hardy’s sentiments. While there’s a sense of letdown regarding the missed crossover, many recognize the limitations of the SSU in terms of creative scope and the need for standalone stories, as opposed to full integration with the MCU. However, with both universes constantly evolving, it’s possible that the door for future crossovers remains slightly ajar.

In the end, while a Venom-Spider-Man movie may have “got close,” the complex dynamics between Sony and Marvel ultimately stood in the way of bringing this fan-favorite idea to life. As Hardy himself put it, “never say never” — and with superhero cinema continually expanding, the possibility of seeing these two iconic characters together on the big screen could still become a reality one day.