Back when the project was in its early stages, it was widely reported that Sony would be taking a leaf out of 20th Century Fox’s book and going down the R-rating route for its Spider-Man spinoff movie Venom.
However, in recent weeks it has been suggested that the Tom Hardy-headlined solo film will instead be “looking to push the very limits of PG-13”, and that rating has now been confirmed by the film’s official website.
If talk is to be believed, the reason for the PG-13 rating is said to be that Sony still harbours ambitions of having Venom cross over with Spider-Man or the MCU at some point down the line, and the feeling is that an R-rating would firmly close the door on that prospect.
Meanwhile, in other Venom news, Deadline is reporting that the latest tracking for the film – the first in Sony’s planned shared cinematic universe – has the movie tracking anywhere from $65 million to $85 million in its domestic opening weekend.
All signs are pointing to Venom setting a new October opening record at the box office, toppling 2013’s Gravity on $55.8 million, and given the movie’s modest budget (reportedly as low as $40 million), it looks like Sony’s Universe of Marvel Characters may well get off to a flying start, financially at least.
SEE ALSO: New TV spots for Venom starring Tom Hardy
One of Marvel’s most enigmatic, complex and badass characters comes to the big screen, starring Academy Award nominated actor Tom Hardy as the lethal protector Venom.
Directed by Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland), Venom is set for release on October 5th 2018 and features a cast that includes Tom Hardy, Riz Ahmed, Michelle Williams, Woody Harrelson, Jenny Slate, Reid Scott, Scott Haze, Sope Aluko and Ron Cephas Jones.
Originally published September 15, 2018. Updated March 19, 2020.
