Joe Gilgun
If we’re going purely on appearance, Joe Gilgun has the face for Cletus Kasady. It’s still a rotten shame that he didn’t get a look-in for the Joker, because if you threw some white face paint and lipstick on him, he’d look just like the Clown Prince of Crime, too.
Gilgun has had the opportunity to do some fun things with Cassidy on Preacher in season 1, but he still hasn’t quite let loose as much as he can. Unfortunately, there’s still the inhibition of network TV that’s preventing him from going full-on psycho – even though the show has pushed many boundaries.
An R-rated Venom film is the perfect vehicle for him and Tom Hardy to go head to head and bring out all the chaos, insanity, and action they want. Can you imagine these two trading insults and sparring in a summer blockbuster? Sign us up for this right now.
Sam Rockwell
Whether you need a sex addict or a nutjob in your film, nobody has the guile of Sam Rockwell. As one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood, you know that Sam’s the man who’ll rise to any occasion, including a film like Venom.
He’s had experience in the MCU, playing Justin Hammer in 2010’s Iron Man 2, so the time’s right for him to make his comeback to comic book movies now. A deranged character like Carnage could be right up his alley and would be a role for him to really sink his teeth into.
Tom Hardy’s a bonafide star, so he’ll need someone to match his talents and presence in the Sony production. Having proven himself countless times next to acting heavyweights such as Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford and Robert Downey Jr., Rockwell won’t let anyone down. In fact, he might just outshine Tom and steal the whole effing show.