Over in the Marvel Universe, it’s been a year since the events of 2018’s Venom, and journalist Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) is still struggling with the reality of playing host to the alien symbiote Venom.
Venom gives Brock the kind of superhuman powers most of us can only dream of. However, it inhabits Brock’s body, leading to a kind of alien possession scenario where the two personalities find themselves in frequent argument over exactly what their shared body should be doing – a conflict that can be particularly pronounced owing to Venom’s love of devouring human flesh.
“I think they’ve had enough of each other in some aspects,” Hardy tells The National.
“It’s two people who are having to live together like a married couple or as flatmates who get on each other’s nerves. It’s just not working. There are things that we like about each other and things that we don’t like about each other.”
We already saw the beginnings of this love/hate relationship in the first film, and in Venom: Let There Be Carnage, which releases in the UAE on Thursday, it seems Brock has realised that adjusting to his new situation might not be quite as easy as he had hoped.
“We find them in the second movie having lived together for a significant amount of time and now it’s painful and irritating,” Hardy says. “You have the odd couple, and one of them is extremely confident but not from this world and the other one is from this world and he is a neurotic coward.”
Although Brock is clearly struggling with his new split personality, Hardy seems to have revelled in the opportunity to play such a conflicted character.
“It’s a joy to play two different parts of a psyche because Venom and Eddie are one for me,” he says. “They are just differentiated by the fact that one is the monster and one is Eddie, but they are always contained within one individual. It’s great fun and I just want to keep challenging it and pushing it and seeing what else I can do with it.”
In fact, Venom seems to have found a special place in Hardy’s heart. The actor doesn’t only star in the latest film, he also has credits as a co-writer and producer, and he says that he immersed himself in the comics and legend of the character in preparation for his latest outing.
“We do our best to draw on every source and infuse that with the love and care for the character that we have ourselves, and we’ll continue to do that to the best of our ability,” he says.
“We want to preserve elements that are recognisable, not only to the hard-core fans, but also push Venom towards a wider cinematic audience who may not know who Venom is in the same way. Our version of Venom is a blend of our own playful imaginations whilst also honouring the comics to the best of our abilities.”
Hardy expands further on what we can expect from Venom’s second outing on the big screen.
“There are incredible action sequences in this one,” he reveals. “For me, this film is much more than the original. We’ve built on the first. We’ve developed this character and in this one, we are pushing it story-wise. We’re adding to the thrill and spectacle elements with fantastic sequences that are completely different from anything we saw in the first.
"This is a new film, and a new world with new characters and new stakes.”
Among the new characters is one we met briefly at the end of the first film – Venom’s new nemesis Carnage, played by the multi-Oscar-nominated Woody Harrelson.
Carnage is another symbiote that is inhabiting the body of imprisoned serial killer Cletus Kasady, himself the subject of a book Brock is writing in an attempt to relaunch his stalled journalism career. Unsurprisingly, once Kasady’s body is taken over by Carnage, he swiftly escapes prison and becomes far more than an interview subject for Brock and Venom.
“Woody is one of the coolest people I have ever met,” says Hardy. “As a human being and as an actor, he is just formidable. There is nothing that you can present him with that will shock him; he has an answer, a solution to everything and he has a story to tell. It’s an absolute joy to work with him.”
Accomplished actor, director and, significantly for this project, motion capture expert Andy Serkis directs, while the cinematography is placed in the capable hands of Robert Richardson, whose credits include Platoon and Kill Bill.
Hardy assures us that the results are worthy of the talents behind them.
“When you have a director like Andy and Bob as DOP, you know you have great people on board,” he says. “It’s all about taking people on a cinematic ride and enjoying the stunts and effects that are in there to take these characters to another level. This was a federation of great talents, who came together to have a lot of fun with the second episode of a franchise, that we hope will become much loved in the world of superhero and fantasy movies.
"We’re really proud of it and we think, quietly, it’s better than the first. I’m really looking forward to everyone seeing it on a big screen.”
Venom: Let There Be Carnage is in UAE cinemas from Thursday, October 14
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
WWE World Heavyweight Championship AJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt
Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho
Singles match John Cena v Triple H
Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v tba
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
More on Quran memorisation:
TO%20CATCH%20A%20KILLER
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDamian%20Szifron%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Shailene%20Woodley%2C%20Ben%20Mendelsohn%2C%20Ralph%20Ineson%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
MATCH INFO
Liverpool 4 (Salah (pen 4, 33', & pen 88', Van Dijk (20')
Leeds United 3 (Harrison 12', Bamford 30', Klich 66')
Man of the match Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Honeymoonish
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Elie%20El%20Samaan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENour%20Al%20Ghandour%2C%20Mahmoud%20Boushahri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
The%20Genius%20of%20Their%20Age
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20S%20Frederick%20Starr%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Oxford%20University%20Press%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20290%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20January%2024%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETelr%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202014%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E65%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20and%20payments%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enearly%20%2430%20million%20so%20far%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
