UPDATE: We recently
reported that Sony’s upcoming Venom sequel would include the Marvel Comics character called Shriek and
Variety is now reporting that Naomie Harris is in talks for the role.
Andy Serkis will direct the sequel with Tom Hardy returning as the titular anti-hero and Michelle Williams and Woody Harrelson also reprising their roles.
Feature credits for Harris include being nominated for an Academy Award for her role in 'Moonlight,' and is set to reprise her role as Eve Moneypenny in the new James Bond film 'No Time to Die.'
Sony had no comment on the casting negotiations.
Two sources close to Sony’s upcoming Venom sequel have informed
Deadline that the Marvel Comics character called Shriek has been added into the plot of the Venom sequel.
Deadline spoke with a Sony spokesman who declined comment, citing the early-days status of the project, which won’t begin principle photography until early next year.
The character of Shriek would be a smart choice as the sonic-powered accomplice and romantic interest of serial killer Cletus Kasaday, aka Carnage, the monstrous archenemy of Venom has a standing history in the pages of Marvel Comics. A drug dealer named Frances Barrison became the volatile Shriek after severe trauma allow her latent mutant powers to emerge. In the comics, those powers include sonic energy blasts, flight, and the ability to stir up dark and violent emotions in others.
Carnage has been primary villain for the Venom sequel since a mid-credits preview scene that featured the uncredited Woody Harrelson as the menacing Kasaday from the first film. Shriek has been closely associated with Carnage since her introduction in Spider-Man Unlimited No. 1 (May 1993) as part of the "Maximum Carnage" saga.
Casting is underway for the role of Shriek with the search expanding.
“Right now the role is not filled, the net is cast wide toward many kinds of actresses,” one source said, adding that the filmmakers are
“looking mostly at unknowns right now.”
Venom 2 is schedule to hit theaters on October 2nd, 2020