Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, the duo behind 2025’s ‘Final Destination: Bloodlines,’ reportedly are attached to direct the film featuring Marvel’s popular anti-hero.
The Venom franchise is moving into animation. Possibly. Sony is developing an animated feature installment of the Marvel anti-hero franchise with Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein attached to direct, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The project remains in early development, with no writer currently announced.
Contacted by AWN, Sony Pictures Animation declined to confirm the report. AWN previously reported on an unconfirmed report of an animated Venom film being written and produced by Seth Rogen back in early 2024.
The animated film remains in early development. No writer has been announced, though Sony Pictures Animation is reportedly opening a writers room to explore potential scripts and story directions. Amy Pascal, Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach — producers on the live-action Venom films — are expected to be involved in a producing capacity, though formal attachments have not been confirmed. Tom Hardy, who portrayed Eddie Brock / Venom in the three live-action films, is understood to be involved in some capacity. It is unclear whether that would include producing, voice work, or another role.
Venom first appeared in 1988’s Amazing Spider-Man No. 300 and later became a recurring character within Marvel Comics. The character made his feature film debut in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3, portrayed by Topher Grace. Sony’s live-action Venom launched in 2018 and grossed $856 million worldwide. The sequel, 2021’s Venom: Let There Be Carnage, earned $506.8 million globally, followed by 2024’s Venom: The Last Dance, which grossed $478.9 million.
A shift to animation aligns the character with Sony Pictures Animation’s broader Marvel-related efforts, including the Spider-Verse films. However, with no script yet in place, the project is considered to be several years from release.
Lipovsky and Stein previously helmed Final Destination: Bloodlines, the most recent installment in that long-running horror franchise. They are also attached to collaborate with Chris Columbus on Gremlins and are developing the original thriller Long Lost, described as a genre hybrid in development at Universal with Amblin Entertainment producing.
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
