text: Venom: The Last Dance is the final chapter in Tom Hardy’s superhero trilogy, bringing an end to Eddie Brock’s adventures with the Venom symbiote. The film picks up immediately after Eddie and Venom’s brief visit to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Spider-Man: No Way Home, returning to their home universe with a nasty hangover. As if that wasn’t bad enough, they quickly find themselves hunted down by multiple enemies, including a group of secret government agents and the minions of the symbiote god Knull. On the run with diminishing options, Eddie and Venom tragically realize that their bond may not survive this last journey.
  In Venom: The Last Dance‘s final battle, Venom sacrifices himself to save Eddie and the world from Knull’s return. Now free of his alien symbiote, Eddie Brock returns to New York, finishing off his story after three films. While this is an appropriate and satisfying ending for the character, Eddie’s absence will sorely be felt in the Sony Spider-Man Universe (SSU). Tom Hardy’s character was the de facto protagonist of the SSU, but his departure leaves a massive void in the already troubled franchise. Thankfully, the SSU may already have the perfect character to fill Eddie’s shoes–and it isn’t Kraven the Hunter.
  Venom: The Last Dance’s emotional ending includes a secret callback to Spider-Man: No Way Home–and fixes the movie’s biggest problem.
  Agent Venom Is the Perfect Replacement for Eddie Brock
  Flash Thompson Bonds With the Venom Symbiote in Marvel Comics
  The Sony Spider-Man Universe needs a new protagonist after Venom: The Last Dance–and Agent Venom is the perfect character to fill this role. In Marvel Comics, Peter Parker’s high school bully Flash Thompson joined the United States Army during the Iraq War, serving valiantly overseas for several years. His military career came to an abrupt end, however, when he heroically rescued a brother-in-arms from an explosion during an enemy ambush, losing his legs in the carnage. After returning home, Flash became an operative with the secret government project known as Project Rebirth 2.0, which had obtained and sedated the Venom symbiote. Flash bonded with Venom to become Agent Venom, using the symbiote not only to inherit incredible superpowers but also to fashion new legs. Flash Thompson became a new kind of hero, later fighting alongside the Secret Avengers.
  Agent Venom would be the perfect protagonist for the SSU after Venom: The Last Dance. The character is an elite soldier who uses Venom’s abilities to enhance his tactical advantage and become one of the most skilled superheroes of his time. As the SSU builds toward future crossover events, Agent Venom would be an invaluable character to lead whatever team forms in the cinematic universe. He is also a stark contrast to the more manic Eddie Brock, who had a hero’s heart but little ability to become the Lethal Protector that he dreamed of being. Agent Venom is the true hero that the SSU desperately needs; he is both popular enough to carry the SSU and interesting enough to build a franchise around.
  Venom: The Last Dance introduces Knull in live-action, but utterly wastes the character and proves Sony’s biggest mistake with its Marvel movies.
  Flash Thompson Would Be a Stronger Hero Than Eddie Brock
  If used properly, Agent Venom has the potential to become the Sony Spider-Man Universe’s best new character. His introduction would open the door to many more Marvel characters appearing in the SSU. Unlike most characters in the SSU at this point, Flash Thompson has a direct connection to Peter Parker, having gone to school with him and later becoming his best friend. If Sony brings Flash Thompson into its franchise, it might pave the way for their version of Spider-Man to finally show up as well. Even if the SSU continues to avoid Spider-Man, certain other supporting characters from the comics could appear. Among those most likely to show up alongside Agent Venom is Betty Brant, an employee at the Daily Bugle and Flash’s on-again-off-again girlfriend. Whoever may appear alongside Flash Thompson, any connection to Spider-Man’s friends and family would be invaluable for Sony as it continues to build its shared universe.
  Agent Venom could also save the Sony Spider-Man Universe, giving it a new direction after a series of flops. The SSU is currently building up to a crossover with Knull, the symbiote god, but it remains unclear what form this event will take and who will appear therein. By delivering a compelling hero capable of fighting such a powerful enemy, the SSU sets itself up for success with Agent Venom, who could potentially lead a team of symbiote soldiers against the villainous King in Black. Moreover, Agent Venom is a legitimate hero, a far cry from the antiheroes and villains that the SSU has preferred to explore so far. By choosing to focus on heroes from the Spider-Man mythos, the SSU can finally ditch its unexciting Sinister Six movie plans and instead build toward something that fans will care about: an all-out war between the forces of good and the evils of Knull.
  Many fans were truly disappointed with Venom: The Last Dance and this may be the reason behind it.
  Is an Agent Venom Movie in the Works?
  Sony May Be Developing an Agent Venom Spinoff Movie
  Marvel scooper Daniel Richtman (@DanielRPK) has recently revealed that an Agent Venom movie is in the works at Sony (via Fiction Horizon). While unconfirmed, this film would potentially follow Flash Thompson as he first bonds with the Venom symbiote to become Agent Venom. Interestingly, The Last Dance included a subtle nod to the character when a background soldier named Thompson lost his legs to one of Knull’s Xenophages at Area 55. This easily overlooked detail lends credence to the idea that Sony is developing a movie about Agent Venom.
  This film would be impossible without the Venom symbiote, however. While Sony could always introduce another symbiote to bond with Flash Thompson, the name “Agent Venom” wouldn’t quite apply to any other member of the Klyntar species. Thankfully, The Last Dance offers a way for Venom to have survived his heroic sacrifice. The film’s post-credit scene hints that a sample of the Venom symbiote may have bonded with a cockroach, which scurries away from the wreckage left behind from the fight with the Xenophage. If this sample makes its way to the wounded Thompson, Agent Venom would be born.
  Agent Venom is the clear path forward for the Sony Spider-Man Universe, offering the franchise a viable new protagonist and paving the way for its highly anticipated adaptation of the “King in Black” storyline from Marvel Comics. Sony may be developing an Agent Venom film already, which will doubtlessly change the SSU forever–and for the better.
  “}]] Venom: The Last Dance leaves the Sony Spider-Man Universe without a compelling protagonist for its franchise, but Agent Venom could change everything. Read More