SPIDER-MAN 3 Resurfaced Promo Art Reveals A Closer Look At The Threequel's Divisive Venom Design

SPIDER-MAN 3 Resurfaced Promo Art Reveals A Closer Look At The Threequel's Divisive Venom Design

Spider-Man 3 was considered a disappointment when it swung into theaters in 2007, with Venom's portrayal a sticking point for many fans. Now, resurfaced promo art showcases the movie's take on Eddie Brock.

By JoshWilding - Oct 10, 2023 03:10 PM EST
Filed Under: Spider-Man 3

In 2007's Spider-Man 3, Peter Parker encountered an alien costume and soon found himself embracing his darker side. It was a relatively rushed subplot and one we've since learned was shoehorned into the threequel by Venom-loving producer Avi Arad. 

Tobey Maguire's web-slinger was ultimately decked out in a black version of his regular red and blue suit. Venom was a little more comic-accurate, though quite a bit smaller than the version seen on the page. In fact, the character's redesign continues to divide the opinions of fans. 

If you have an extremely good memory, the promo art below might be familiar. For the rest of you, though, we're sure you'll appreciate - or perhaps hate - this closer look at Eddie Brock's transformation. 

While the villain is definitely smaller than we'd like, he's arguably far more comic-accurate than the version played by Tom Hardy in Sony Pictures' Venom movies. For starters, he has that classic logo on his chest; however, it still feels like the definitive design for this character has yet to be put on film. 

Last year, Spider-Man 3 director Sam Raimi reflected on what went wrong with Eddie Brock in the 2007 blockbuster. 

"It was really more just that I didn’t understand the character that well. It wasn’t close to my heart," he admitted. "The best thing I like about Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s Spider-Man is that they made relatable characters that I understand. Even if they were confused, like Norman Osborn, they still have goodness in their heart. They want them to do the right thing."

"When I read about Venom, which I hadn’t read as a kid," the director continued, "I had to catch up on it when they wanted him to be in the movie. I didn’t recognize enough humanity within that character to be able to identify with him properly. That’s really what it boils down to."

Tom Holland's web-slinger is expected to don the alien costume either in Marvel Studios' Spider-Man 4 or one of the upcoming Avengers movies. What his suit will look like remains to be seen and, as far as we're aware, Earth-616 doesn't have an Eddie Brock (though there's obviously a good chance we haven't met him yet). 

Let us know your thoughts on Spider-Man 3's Venom design in the comments section.

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comicfan100
comicfan100 - 10/10/2023, 3:28 PM
In retrospect, it didn't look all that bad.
MG0019
MG0019 - 10/10/2023, 3:30 PM
@comicfan100 - I always liked the look. Can’t rewatch the movie still; but Venom’s design was cool.
dragon316
dragon316 - 10/10/2023, 4:55 PM
@comicfan100 - to bad he wasn’t big as solo venom movie comic accurate with out Spider-Man same joker movie
Origame
Origame - 10/10/2023, 3:29 PM
I still think it was too heavily criticized. It was going back to the original look, which was meant to be a disturbing looking spiderman. You can even see first comic of venom wasn't much bigger than spiderman.
Slotherin
Slotherin - 4/12/2024, 8:58 AM
@Origame - I like these rare moments we're same page.
Literally my only issues with this Venom was screen time and having a mouth but not talking from it much.
MG0019
MG0019 - 10/10/2023, 3:29 PM
I don’t get the tweet. “A lot of people don’t want to hear it, but these are also promotional pictures of Venom.”

Um… yeah, they are. Who would argue against that? People may not like the movie, or not like the design; but is there anyone out there getting ”offended” by this sixteen year old movie existing?
IronSpider101
IronSpider101 - 10/10/2023, 5:19 PM
@MG0019 - I think it's because the promotional material doesn't accurately reflect the version we see in the finished film. I remember being disappointed when the movie first came out because I expected his design to be closer to the promo material





Slotherin
Slotherin - 4/12/2024, 9:04 AM
@MG0019 - yeah, this tweet is pretty dumb. This also isn't even news in any way
dracula
dracula - 10/10/2023, 3:32 PM
the messed up webbing design was a good choice since they were going practical.

dracula
dracula - 10/10/2023, 3:35 PM
Raimi delivered 2 successful films and yet Avi Arad felt the need to meddle in the third film.....why?

Raimi didn't want to turn Harry into a Goblin

Raimi doesn't like Venom

Raimi wanted Vulture, but is also a fan of Sandman, so he was fine with Sandman.

If by some miracle we ever get the 4th movie, Raimi should ensure he has final say in his contract
Slotherin
Slotherin - 4/12/2024, 9:00 AM
@dracula - any idea what Raimi did want for Harry?
I thought they could have done 3 better in regards to Harry but the issue for me never was him taking the mantle. Kinda thought they were building to it with the end of 2.
FireandBlood
FireandBlood - 10/10/2023, 3:39 PM
Tbh at the time, I thought it looked great. Same with the Black Suit. Not so much now tho
Conquistador
Conquistador - 10/10/2023, 3:41 PM
I blame Arad more than Raimi. Venom looked cool but didn't tap into the dual characteristics of Eddie and Venom. If they had to force him in it he should have been the main villian.
Fogs
Fogs - 10/10/2023, 3:50 PM
@UniqNo - They should've gone with black suit in SM3, Venom in SM4.
Conquistador
Conquistador - 10/10/2023, 3:55 PM
@Fogs - there's alot of things they should have done differently with Spider-Man 3.

Not make Sandman the killer for uncle Ben, the whole amnesia arc with Harry, Gwens lack of an arc, rushing Eddie's arc..

Tbh though i remember having a lot of fun with all the hype and online discussions running up to it but the final product was lame.
Fogs
Fogs - 10/10/2023, 4:28 PM
@UniqNo - Ugh, yeah. The Uncle Ben retcon was the worst imo.
Urubrodi
Urubrodi - 10/11/2023, 5:04 AM
@UniqNo - Gwen was there just in name. Her purpose in the movie was to look hot (which she more than accomplished).
MCUKnight11
MCUKnight11 - 10/10/2023, 3:53 PM
The movie would have been better if it just focused on the trio and one villain like Sandman. You could also tell that Raimi wasn't invested in Gwen or Eddie.
MCUKnight11
MCUKnight11 - 10/10/2023, 3:55 PM
Wonder how different this series would've turned out if the symbiote and venom would never have been included.
MCUKnight11
MCUKnight11 - 10/10/2023, 3:58 PM
Nowadays, the ideal live action Eddie Brock would be someone like Alan Ritchson.
VictorAlonzo
VictorAlonzo - 10/10/2023, 4:09 PM
@MCUKnight11 -


100%
VictorAlonzo
VictorAlonzo - 10/10/2023, 4:10 PM
Should've, could've, would've, but didn't.... oh well.
MisterDoctor217
MisterDoctor217 - 10/10/2023, 4:18 PM
This is the most comic accurate Venom/Eddie we’ve gotten. And it pains me that the Spider-man 2 Venom will be Harry. Could have at least done Flash !!
Idk I hope we one day get the definitive take on Spidey vs Venom 😞
MisterDoctor217
MisterDoctor217 - 10/10/2023, 4:19 PM
@MisterDoctor217 -

Spider-Man 2 game **
Slotherin
Slotherin - 4/12/2024, 9:01 AM
@MisterDoctor217 - I get not wanting Harry... why do Flash instead though?
MisterDoctor217
MisterDoctor217 - 4/12/2024, 6:27 PM
@Slotherin -

I associate Harry more with The Green Goblin, as he took on his fathers mantle after he died.

Flash is more on the Eddie side of the spectrum, even tho he loves Spidey, he hated Peter Parker , or at least disliked him a lot , so it would make more sense that if he got ahold of the Symbiote , it would amplify that dislike or hatred towards Peter.
I know he ended up being friends with Peter in the comics , and his agent Venom is more of an anti hero.
But in my mind it would make more sense if they had used Flash for the Spiderman 2 video game instead of Harry, who I would have given another arc not related to Venom at all.
Slotherin
Slotherin - 4/12/2024, 6:37 PM
@MisterDoctor217 - I can respect it.
Hell, it still works even if Flash becomes friends with Peter prior as long as we're tapping into anger fueled by a sense of betrayal in being lied to
Slotherin
Slotherin - 4/12/2024, 6:37 PM
@MisterDoctor217 - and yeah, I def prefer Harry associated with the Goblin mantle as well.
MisterDoctor217
MisterDoctor217 - 4/12/2024, 7:09 PM
@Slotherin -

Exactly !! It made more sense if they used anyone but Harry.

I know Harry ends up having issues with Peter because of his dad , and a whole lot else , the love triangle with him and Mary Jane, but they could have explored all that as well with him taking the Goblin serum instead of just pasting Venom onto him.


I understand they tried to make something different but idk why it’s wrong or boring to adapt the original Peter vs Eddie arc.
I would have loved to see a proper adaptation of that story.
CharlesLeeRay
CharlesLeeRay - 10/10/2023, 4:37 PM
This aren't rare, I had an album of prints with all of these images.

Speaking of the design, it wasn't bad, but it still looked like a suit, instead of a viscous material. Same with the eyes, it looked like pieces of the mask, not actual goo-ish white eyes.

The worst part for me was the velociraptor-like roars.
dragon316
dragon316 - 10/10/2023, 4:56 PM
Wasn’t bad for me it was venom they messed up should have made him big muscle looking
BritishMonkey
BritishMonkey - 10/10/2023, 5:06 PM
Raimi's Venom, as much as he struggled to do him, is a way better Venom than Hardy's.
grif
grif - 10/10/2023, 6:54 PM
i like the extra webbing on the inner elbows
Gabimaru
Gabimaru - 10/12/2023, 11:13 AM
I remember this movie back in 2007 there is so much hype around it and i was a big nerd back in my grade school. i debate to my older brother about venom not appearing in the movie because sandman was the main villain. there are promotional toys on some fastfood chains that they basically spoiled venom was in the movie. my mind just exploded that day.
Slotherin
Slotherin - 4/12/2024, 9:03 AM
@Gabimaru - spoiling Venom was one of their worst moves.
Certain things work better only when you don't see them coming while revealing them early just generates too much hype that isn't rewarded.
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