Director Kelly Marcel sees “Venom: The Last Dance” as many things, but above all, it’s a love story. As the final chapter in the Venom trilogy, Marcel closes off the saga with a touch of humor and introspection. “The Venom trilogy is a classic rom-com, really,” Marcel says, laughing. “Eddie Brock and Venom meet in the first film. In Venom: Let There Be Carnage, they’ve got the seven year itch and they break up. Now, as we conclude their story, they have finally learned to live with each other, they’ve finally reached symbiosis, but will they be able to stay together?”

Taking the Director’s Chair

For Marcel, “Venom: The Last Dance” is more than just the final installment—it’s her directorial debut in the series. While she’s been heavily involved in the previous two films as co-writer, executive producer (Venom), and producer (Venom: Let There Be Carnage), this time she’s the one calling the shots. “I’ve been with Venom for a long time, but it’s a whole new experience directing,” Marcel admits. She’s excited to bring her vision of Venom and Eddie’s relationship to life, especially alongside her longtime collaborator, Tom Hardy.

Hardy, who plays both Eddie and Venom, also co-wrote the screenplay with Marcel. “Tom and I have a really good language with each other,” Marcel says. “He understands my writing, and I know how to build characters for him that he enjoys playing. For The Last Dance, we spent a week in a hotel in London just bashing out the story from morning ’til morning. Tom and I agreed that this movie needs to be the biggest, most amped up Venom of them all, and we’re lucky the studio trusts us to make it in the way that we see it and feel it.”

Eddie and Venom: An Evolving Relationship

Beyond the action and chaos, what drives Venom: The Last Dance is the evolution of Eddie and Venom’s relationship. Marcel notes that Eddie, initially self-absorbed and career-driven, has undergone significant growth since the first film. “Eddie Brock is a pretty selfish guy when you first meet him in Venom,” says Marcel. “He destroys his relationship by lying to his fiancée and ending her career. He’s a journalist who enjoys his own face and fame, and Venom completely destroys all of that and strips him down to his basic self. In Venom: The Last Dance, Eddie is older and wiser, and he’s learned so much more patience and tolerance. He’s learned how to really love someone.”

By the time we reach Venom: The Last Dance, both Eddie and Venom have matured. “Eddie is older, wiser, and a lot more patient,” Marcel shares. “He’s learned how to love someone unconditionally—even if that ‘someone’ is an alien symbiote who can be incredibly difficult to live with.” This symbiotic bond is at the heart of the final film, pushing both characters to their limits emotionally.

Listening to the Fans

While crafting Venom: The Last Dance, Marcel and Hardy paid close attention to what fans loved about the previous films. “We’re very inspired by the comics, and we wanted to listen to the fans and see where they want this story to go next,” Marcel says. “But we knew that we were going to be concluding this trilogy, and we wanted to make it emotional. We wanted to take Venom and Eddie’s relationship to the next level.”

This blend of fan service and character depth is what Marcel hopes will resonate with audiences. As she wraps up the saga, she’s grateful for the opportunity to explore new dynamics and elevate the story to a fitting conclusion.

About Venom: The Last Dance

In Venom: The Last Dance, Tom Hardy reprises his role as Eddie Brock and Venom, two beings locked in a complex yet hilarious relationship. Hunted by both their worlds and with nowhere left to run, Eddie and Venom face their toughest challenge yet—a decision that will ultimately bring their story to a heart-stopping conclusion.

Starring Tom Hardy, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans, Peggy Lu, Alanna Ubach, and Stephen Graham, Venom: The Last Dance is directed by Kelly Marcel from a screenplay by Marcel herself, based on a story by Hardy and Marcel. The film is produced by Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, Amy Pascal, Kelly Marcel, Tom Hardy, and Hutch Parker.

Don’t Miss Venom’s Last Dance

Prepare for a thrilling, emotional conclusion to the Venom saga. Venom: The Last Dance hits Philippine cinemas on October 23. Distributed by Columbia Pictures, the local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Follow the conversation using #Venom and tag @columbiapicph on social media. Tickets are available now, so grab yours early and don’t miss out! Visit your local cinema’s ticketing site to reserve your seats today.

_{Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”}