Venom: The Last Dance Unveils New Symbiote, Sparking Fan Theories and Speculation

The latest teaser for the concluding installment of the Venom franchise, titled Venom: The Last Dance, has emerged, introducing an intriguing new symbiote. Fans are buzzing with excitement, speculating that this character hails from the comic books of the 1990s.

This teaser, which recently aired on Russian television, showcased a mysterious green symbiote extending its hand just as law enforcement begins to react. Although the clip has since been removed from online platforms, a still shot shared on Twitter by Marvel Updates has ignited fan theories, suggesting that this might be Lasher.

So, who is this Lasher? Making his debut in Venom: Lethal Protector back in 1993, Lasher is a green symbiote born from one of Venom’s ‘seeds’. Initially intended to bond with soldiers in a war-torn future, Lasher first joined with a member of a security force. Together with the other seeds, they formed a group of protective symbiotes. However, in a bid to prevent Lasher's potential descent into darkness reminiscent of Carnage, Venom and Eddie Brock ended the life of Lasher's host, resulting in his imprisonment among superhuman inmates until military intervention set him free.

Despite Lasher's intriguing backstory, he remains a relatively obscure figure in the comics. Consequently, some fans speculate that the new symbiote is actually Toxin, a character they anticipated. Noting the green hue, some observers pointed out that the dialogue associated with this character aligns more closely with Toxin's narrative. According to TheVenomSite, this is likely Toxin. Within the comic universe, Toxin bonds with Patrick Mulligan, a determined detective intent on thwarting Venom.

In the previous film, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Toxin formed a bond with Mulligan (played by Stephen Graham) after he survived a harrowing encounter with Cletus Kasady/Carnage and Shriek in the climax. The trailer for Venom 3 depicts Mulligan confined within a high-security research facility, with glowing blue-green eyes hinting at a possible bond with a green symbiote. However, since Toxin in the comics is red, this could indicate notable alterations in the film's design concepts.

Returning for this finale is Tom Hardy, portraying the journalist Eddie Brock, who grapples with a shadowy secret. This final chapter of the series chronicles their ultimate journey as they confront a cosmic menace originating from the symbiote's realm. The film will also feature performances by Juno Temple and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

The release date for Venom: The Last Dance is set for October 25, 2024. In the meantime, consider exploring our guide on the most thrilling upcoming superhero films, or check our comprehensive list of all the movies set to debut this year.