Andy Serkismay get a chance to step out from behind his performance-capture rig and digital mask to get behind the camera instead. That’s all assuming things go well with Sony. The accomplished filmmaker, well-known for his expertise in motion-capture and performance-capture work, is on the current shortlist of directors for the studio’s follow-up toVenom. And while that wouldn’t make it the first comic book movie for Serkis to get involved with, it would be the first time he gets the opportunity to direct one.
THRreports that Serkis and Sony have had meetings about the unofficially titledVenom 2, though he’s reportedly one of several filmmakers in the mix. AsVarietyfollows up, they also throw names likeTravis Knight(Bumblebee) andRupert Wyatt(Rise of the Planet of the Apes) against the wall to see what sticks.
The studio will have to move fast with this decision if they want to capitalize on the success of the first film, which earned over $856 million at the worldwide box office against most expectations. The plan is to get cameras rolling by November of this year for a presumed scheduled release day of July 16, 2025 (currently earmarked for anUntitled Sony/Marvel Sequel).
Currently, all we have forVenom 2is a script fromKelly Marcel(Venom) andTom Hardy’s return. Serkis' involvement, however, would bring some interesting possibilities into the mix. His digital creations and awards-worthy performances arguably have more famous faces than his own, but he clearly brings a singular expertise from the VFX world to any and all projects he’s involved with. Serkis parlayed his time acting as second-unit director forPeter Jackson’sThe Hobbittrilogy into his directorial debut withBreathein 2017, followed by Netflix’sMowgli: Legend of the Junglejust last year. Stay tuned for more on this one.
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