Venom: The Last Dance, the third and final film in Sony's Venom trilogy, is poised for a strong, yet slightly underwhelming opening at the domestic box office. Early tracking suggests it will earn around $70 million when it hits theaters on October 25th. While this may seem impressive, it marks the lowest opening in the franchise, with the first film debuting at $80.2 million and the second installment topping $90 million.
The stakes are higher than ever for Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and his symbiotic counterpart, Venom, as they find themselves hunted by both humans and alien forces. This plot promises intense action and a major turning point, forcing the duo to make a life-altering decision, setting the stage for a climactic finale.
Filmed in Spain with a budget of $110 million, Venom: The Last Dance faces the challenge of maintaining momentum in a year dominated by blockbuster comic-book films like Deadpool & Wolverine, which opened to a staggering $211.4 million. Directed by Kelly Marcel, who also penned the previous two installments, the film boasts a star-studded cast, including Juno Temple, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Peggy Lu, and Stephen Graham.
Though its projected opening falls short of the franchise's previous heights, the film is still expected to have the second-best debut for a comic-book movie in 2024, behind Deadpool & Wolverine. Despite this, fans are eager to see how this final chapter closes the story.
From a critical perspective, while Venom: The Last Dance may not break box office records, its darker tone and high stakes could offer a fitting conclusion to the series. However, its success will largely depend on how it balances fan service with narrative depth.
As a fan of the Venom franchise, I'm excited yet cautious about this final installment. The decrease in opening numbers compared to previous films is a concern, but Tom Hardy's return and Kelly Marcel's vision as both writer and director have me hopeful that this film will deliver a satisfying end to the story.
Are you excited for Venom: The Last Dance, or do you think the franchise has run its course? Let us know your thoughts!
