Venom (2018) seemed like a novel idea, especially after the character's first big screen appearance in Spider-Man 3 (2007). Most fans were disappointed with the depiction of the antihero in the final entry of the Sam Raimi trilogy, and thrilled that Sony decided to change up its strategy by making a new film focused on the character.
The notion of making a film about a Spider-Man villain seemed novel, but it was, in fact, an old idea. New Line Cinema had the idea for a Venom film as far back as the 1990s, and the more one learns about the film, the more striking the similarities between this version and the Sony version prove to be.
David S. Goyer wrote the original Venom screenplay
David S. Goyer was tasked with adapting Venom for the big screen. He would go on to write films in the Blade and Dark Knight franchises, but in 1997, he'd yet to establish himself as a marquee name. CBR reported that Goyer's screenplay would not feature Spider-Man, and would instead take a hard, vigilante-esque approach to the character.
Carnage would have been the villain, which is something the modern franchise would bring to fruition with Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), and Eddie Brock, the man who fuses with the titular Venom would be played by Dolph Lundgren.
The casting Lundgren is fascinating, given that the actor was on a commercial decline by the late 90s. He'd also attempted, and failed, to make an impression as another Marvel antihero with his version of The Punisher in 1989.
Dolph Lundgren previously played The Punisher
The screenplay for the film has circulated online in various forms. Unfortunately, New Line pulled the plug on the film before production ever got started. It's very likely the failure of another New Line flick about an antihero, Spawn (1997), played a role in the studio's decision.
Spawn was ripped apart by critics. The irony, though, is that Goyer would prove that a gritty superhero could work with audiences the following year when he wrote the screenplay for the first Blade film. It was not only a success, but kicked off what many consider to be the first great series in Marvel cinematic history.
Venom '97 might be a footnote, but it's a fascinating one.