1. A Wild Idea: Venom as a Horse
In Venom: The Last Dance, one of the film’s standout moments involves the alien symbiote, Venom, inhabiting a horse. This bizarre yet delightful twist instantly captured the cast’s and fans’ attention. Director Kelly Marcel recounted that actor Tom Hardy was ecstatic upon reading the script, reacting with streams of laughing emojis. This transformation marked the first time Venom possesses an animal, resulting in comedic and chaotic scenes that fit the movie’s offbeat tone.
2. Crafting the Venom Horse
Creating the Venom Horse required blending live-action elements with advanced visual effects (VFX). Artists began by conceptualizing the look, working from sketches to rough animation. During production, practical effects were also used. The scenes were shot with both a real horse and Hardy interacting with stand-in props, which were later enhanced through VFX. Animation teams ensured the horse had an expressive, “mad” demeanor, amplifying the absurdity of Venom galloping wildly through the desert with Eddie Brock clinging on.
3. Technical Challenges and Inspirations
Capturing the sense of speed and chaos for the Venom Horse scenes involved meticulous planning. The VFX supervisor explained that to achieve the right velocity, they took inspiration from high-speed pursuits, such as Formula 1 and Superman movies. The team faced difficulties balancing the size of the horse and Eddie’s appearance. Adding debris, dust, and exaggerated motion effects helped convey the creature’s power while maintaining visual coherence. Marcel humorously mentioned how Hardy endured being flung around on set, underscoring his dedication to stunt work.
4. Filming Practical Effects in Extreme Conditions
Shooting in the desert presented unique challenges, including extreme heat, which affected both the cast and animals. A professional horse handler ensured the safety of the animals used. Some scenes required Hardy to perform atop mechanical rigs, mimicking a bucking bronco, while others were filmed against blue screens. Marcel noted that Hardy’s comedic timing during these chaotic sequences was a highlight, contributing to the film’s quirky charm.
5. The Venom Horse: A Fan-Favorite Character
The absurdity of the Venom Horse resonated with both the cast and audiences. The decision to slow the footage down at key moments emphasized the ridiculousness of Eddie’s struggle to control the creature. According to Marcel, the funniest aspect lies in the back-and-forth dialogue between Venom and Eddie during the ride, elevating the scene to one of the film’s most memorable moments. Venom: The Last Dance promises to be a fitting, eccentric finale to the trilogy when it premieres on October 25.
From: Doublejoydesigns