Spider-Man Spin-off in Negotiations

Excited for ?The Amazing Spider-Man?? If you?ve got a soft spot for the web-slinger?s archnemesis Venom, get ready to cry some geeky tears. Sony is in talks with ?Chronicle? director Josh Trank to lead a project starring the popular Spider-Man villain.

Get ready for Venom

According to a blog posted by Steven Zeitchik for the Los Angeles Times? 24 Frames, Sony is in negotiations with Trank to ?take the reins of the Spider spin-off.? The director?s most recent film, ?Chronicle,? has earned more than $60 million since its release last month.

If you?re unfamiliar with Venom, the character is an alien Symbiote that attaches itself to a human host and endows it with special powers. Played by ?That ?70s Show? star Topher Grace in 2007?s ?Spider-Man 3,? Venom was ranked the ?22^nd Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time? by entertainment website IGN.

The Venom film project is a long time coming. Gary Ross, director of the upcoming ?Hunger Games,? had negotiated with Sony in 2009 to direct a movie based on the villain, but scrapped the idea. Along with seeking out a new director, Sony is looking for a new lead actor, as Grace isn?t expected to don the alien suit.

With ?The Amazing Spider-Man? scheduled for release on July 3 and a sequel already being planned for 2014, there?s no better time for Sony to produce a related film. If this works out, don?t be surprised if you hear news about a ?Doctor Octopus 3D.?