When the person who helped bring Venom to life says someone would be perfect for the role, fans tend to listen. David Michelinie, the legendary comic writer who co-created Venom back in the 1980s, recently doubled down on his pick for the ideal live-action Eddie Brock, and it’s none other than Reacher star Alan Ritchson.
The endorsement came through a conversation with a fan on social media, where Michelinie revealed this wasn’t just a passing thought. He’d already posted about Ritchson before, sharing images of the actor that convinced him of the perfect casting.
Why Ritchson makes sense
Michelinie’s reasoning is pretty straightforward. He mentioned posting photos of Ritchson in the past, including one shirtless shot and another capturing him mid-yell, explaining that these images screamed Eddie Brock. The physical resemblance to the comic book version is undeniable. Ritchson has the build, the intensity, and that raw presence that matches how Eddie appears on the page.
For context, Eddie Brock has been portrayed twice in live action before. Topher Grace took on the role in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3 back in 2007, while Tom Hardy brought the character to life in Sony’s recent trilogy. Hardy’s version wrapped up with Venom: The Last Dance, effectively closing that chapter of the character’s story.
What this could mean
With Sony’s Spider-Man universe shifting focus and Hardy’s tenure as Venom concluded, the door is open for a fresh take on the character. Ritchson has become a fan favorite for superhero roles, with many suggesting him for Batman in James Gunn’s DCU. However, Michelinie’s support adds weight to the Venom conversation, especially coming from someone who literally helped create the character.
I asked David Michelinie, Co-Creator of Venom, what actor would be a faithful Eddie Brock and I suggested Alan Ritchson. Here’s what he said:
“I once posted pics of Ritchson—shirtless and one of him yelling—and said he’d make the perfect Eddie/Venom. So we’re on the same page.” pic.twitter.com/tl0ZzNfayP
— TheDoctorX11 (@TheDoctorX11) December 7, 2025
Whether we’ll actually see Alan Ritchson suit up as Eddie Brock remains uncertain, but having the co-creator’s stamp of approval is a pretty solid start. The actor has the look, the acting chops, and clearly the support of someone who knows this character inside and out.
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