Speculation suggests that Sony is exploring a potential movie centered on Agent Venom following Tom Hardy's conclusion of his Venom series. Hardy portrayed Eddie Brock, the most notable host of Venom, yet another character that has been tied to the symbiote is Flash Thompson, known as Peter Parker's high school adversary. An Agent Venom film could seamlessly integrate into the Spider-Man universe, offering various narrative directions that Sony might pursue with this character.
One intriguing possibility would involve selecting an actor from the existing Spider-Man franchise to play the role of Flash Thompson in a compelling way. Joe Manganiello, who portrayed Flash Thompson in the original Spider-Man trilogy directed by Sam Raimi, would fit the role of Agent Venom exceptionally well. He also made a brief appearance in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, showcasing his range as an action-oriented actor. Given that Venom's presence was hinted to continue existing at the end of Venom: The Last Dance, Manganiello’s return could bring a fresh dynamic to the character.
Although Manganiello’s portrayal of Flash does not confirm a shared universe with the Raimi films, it allows for the opportunity to reinvent the character with a distinct backstory leading him towards becoming Agent Venom. This evolution would mark the introduction of a genuine hero into the SSU, which has predominantly showcased villains and anti-heroes with the objective of establishing a coherent cinematic universe. As the SSU currently lacks a Spider-Man, Agent Venom could potentially fulfill that heroic role, taking on adversaries typically aligned with Spider-Man.
For example, characters like Kraven the Hunter have been known to pursue Spider-Man but could also target Agent Venom, leading to interesting conflicts. An essential narrative element to address would be the influence of Spider-Man on Flash Thompson’s development into a better person, which could be reframed around Flash’s awareness of Eddie Brock's redemptive actions. Furthermore, Agent Venom could unite various villains in an attempt to reform them while also positioning himself as the hero ready to confront Knull.
While Knull appears poised to be the principal antagonist in the SSU’s future story arcs, the multiverse connection to the MCU implies potential crossover developments, possibly linking the SSU to significant events like Secret Wars.