Jenny Slate is in talks to join Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams and Riz Ahmed in Sony’s “Venom” movie, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
Ruben Fleischer is directing the film, based on the script that will be written by Scott Rosenberg (“Jumanji”) and Jeff Pinkner (“The Dark Tower”). Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach are producing with Amy Pascal.
“Venom” is from Sony’s Marvel Universe of characters and will not be a “Spider-Man” spinoff. Venom is one of the most popular superheroes in the Marvel Universe and dates back to the 1980s when Spider-Man briefly adopted a black costume which later turned out to be a living alien being. Photographer Eddie Brock was able to merge with it and become the horrifying, sharp-fanged Venom. Brock was played by Topher Grace in “Spider-Man 3.”
Throughout the history of Marvel Comics, “Venom” has appeared alongside “Spider-Man,” “Iron Man,” “Deadpool,” “Hulk” and many other Marvel Comics characters.
Slate most recently did voice work for “The Secret Life of Pets,” “Zootopia,” “The LEGO Batman Movie” and “Despicable Me 3.” She also stars in “Landline” and “The Polka King.”
Her next projects include “Hotel Artemis” and “The Secret Life of Pets 2.” She is represented by WME and ID PR.
“Venom” will be released on Oct. 5, 2018.
Sony did not comment on the casting. Variety first reported the news.