Venom: Riz Ahmed in talks for Spider-Man spin-off

Tom Hardy will play the titular character

Riz Ahmed has become almost unstoppable.

Ever since an astounding supporting role in the Oscar nominated Nightcrawler, the actor has only gone from strength to strength, landing roles in Star Wars, Jason Bourne, Netflix series The OA, Girls, and leading the critically acclaimed HBO series The Night Of.

The Brit’s eyes are now set on Sony’s upcoming Marvel Comics adaptation Venom, a Spider-Man spin-off that will somehow not be related to this year’s Spider-Man: Homecoming.

While Ahmed’s role has not been revealed, Variety reports that sources say he’ll portray a very popular character. Sony has not commented on the casting.

Venom, which stars Tom Hardy as the titular character, will be written by Scott Rosenberg (Jumanji) and Jeff Pinkner (The Dark Tower). No director has been announced.

Meanwhile, since Ahmed’s hugely busy 2016 — Jason Bourne, The Night Of, Una, City of Tiny Lights, Rogue One, The OA — the actor has been relatively quiet, currently filming Jacques Audiard’s western The Sisters Brothers, which co-stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Joaquin Phoenix, and John C. Reilly.