LOS ANGELES — The Marvel Cinematic Universe rumor mill is in overdrive following reports that Alan Ritchson, the powerhouse star of Prime Video’s Reacher, is in high-level talks to play a variant of Venom in an upcoming Marvel Studios project.
While Tom Hardy recently concluded his solo trilogy with Venom: The Last Dance, the MCU has been dropping breadcrumbs—most notably the symbiote fragment left behind in Spider-Man: No Way Home—suggesting a new version of the character is inevitable for Earth-616.
The “Comic Accurate” Eddie Brock?
Fans have long campaigned for Ritchson to take on the role of Eddie Brock. Standing at 6’3″ and weighing in at a lean 235 pounds, Ritchson mirrors the “bodybuilder” physique of the classic 1990s comic book iteration of the character—a stark contrast to previous live-action portrayals.
Industry insiders suggest that if the deal closes, Ritchson would not be replacing Hardy’s version but rather playing a Multiversal variant or a brand-new iteration of the character native to the main MCU timeline, potentially appearing in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
A Busy Schedule
Ritchson is currently one of Hollywood’s most sought-after action stars. His 2026 slate is already packed with high-profile releases:
- War Machine: A sci-fi action thriller set to debut on Netflix on March 6.
- Motor City: A 1970s-set revenge thriller recently acquired for theatrical release.
- Reacher Season 4: Confirmed to return to Prime Video later this year.
The Marvel vs. DC Tug-of-War
The news comes as a surprise to many who expected Ritchson to land at DC Studios. The actor has been a vocal fan-favorite to play Batman in James Gunn’s The Brave and the Bold, and Ritchson himself confirmed meeting with Gunn earlier this year. However, if these Venom talks are true, it appears the symbiote may have reached him first.
Neither Marvel Studios nor Sony Pictures has officially confirmed the casting, but with production on the next Spider-Man installment rumored to begin later this year, an official announcement could be imminent.
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