Alex Kurtzman Teases A "Much Darker" Venom

Venom may have a few things in common with Spider-Man, but for Venom writer/director Alex Kurtzman, the appeal of the character lies in what sets him apart. Namely, the fact that he's a "much darker" personality than your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Hit the jump to read his comments on what makes Venom — and the Spider-Man universe itself — so special.

Well, Venom is sort of the flip side in that there are certain lines that Spider-Man won't cross because he's Peter Parker and Peter Parker will only do certain things and Venom is an entirely different character. Venom, in a weird way, is the representation of every line that will get crossed. He's a much darker character. I wouldn't even really say more complicated because I think they're both very complicated characters, but I think the attraction for me to Venom is the idea that you can do things that you can't do with Spider-Man.

Venom made its first appearance in the '80s as a sentient alien symbiote worn as a costume by Peter Parker. Its best known wearer, however, is Eddie Brock, a disgraced journalist with a vendetta against Spider-Man. Though he started out as a straightforward villain, Brock/Venom has evolved into more of an antihero, sometimes even joining forces with his former nemesis Spider-Man.

Other Venom hosts over the years include Mac Gargan and Flash Thompson. As of now, it's unclear which version of Venom will be featured in the upcoming film. Flash is the only one that's been introduced in the Amazing Spider-Man universe so far, as he was portrayed by Chris Zylka in the first film.

While Venom may or may not involve Spider-Man, Kurtzman sounded optimistic about the Spider-Man franchise as a whole.

Spider-Man has always occupied its own wonderful unique space. The stories have evolved. You know, Spider-Man has the benefit of having so many more movies than even some of the movies that have 2s and 3s in front of them from Marvel. I think as long as it keeps staying true to character, and true to who Peter is, and putting him in interesting and complicated situations, it'll survive. Because it's so beloved. Everybody loves Spider-Man.

Kurtzman's Venom has not yet set a release date.