Woody Harrelson reportedly playing Carnage in Venom

The film will see Tom Hardy play the titular role, the product of one Eddie Brock crossing paths with an alien symbiote

With Sony attempting to gear up its Spider-Man-less, Disney-free Spider-Man universe with the release of Venom, it seems natural to expect a few other comic heroes may appear.

With Venom the product of Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) crossing paths with an alien symbiote, Carnage essentially acts as a darker version of Venom, another result of the symbiote bonding with a human host.

Carnage's human counterpart is Cletus Kasady, a deeply disturbed serial killer; in the comics, he shares a cell with Brock, which is how the symbiote eventually attaches itself to Kasady.

A new rumour, straight from Bleeding Cool, claims that the already-cast Woody Harrelson will play Carnage in the Ruben Fleisher-directed film, despite his character being referred to as "a henchman of sorts".

A source stated in "a very confirm-y way that not only is Carnage to appear in the upcoming Venom movie but, yes, he will be played by Woody Harrelson." However, previous rumours seemed to point towards Riz Ahmed as Carnage, despite the fact he's playing a character called Dr. Carlton Drake.

Though plot details are slim, SlashFilm has stated two specific comic storylines as inspiration: Lethal Protector and Planet of the Symbiotes. The first sees Venom, usually a villain, turn anti-hero by teaming up with Spider-Man to defeat the offspring of the Venom symbiote.

The second sees an army of symbiotes invade Earth and includes an appearance from Carnage himself.

Venom also stars Michelle Williams, Scott Haze, Reid Scott, and Jenny Slate. It hits UK cinemas 5 October.

Follow Independent Culture on Facebook for all the latest on Film, TV, Music, and more.