We finally have our first LEGO version of Sony’s Venom – but with the films long finished and the trilogy complete, the real question is why the LEGO Group has chosen now to release it.
The first Venom film made by Sony Pictures was released in 2018, featuring Tom Hardy as the Spider-Man villain in his first standalone outing.
While critics were not especially receptive, giving it a 31% score on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences were far more positive, reflected in its strong reception and CinemaScore. This divide helped the films build a cult following, with fans continuing to enjoy their mix of humour and action long after release.
On paper, the LEGO Group releasing a set based on this universe two years after the final Venom film feels like an odd choice. While some speculation suggests the model could have been developed during the trilogy’s production, LEGO sets typically follow a roughly 12-month development cycle, so the timing still doesn’t neatly line up.
So why now? The simplest answer is sustained fan demand. Over the past eight years, Tom Hardy’s portrayal of Venom has become the defining modern version of the character, shaping how many audiences now picture him.
76356 Venom Bust feels less like a traditional movie tie-in and more like a response to that lasting popularity. Rather than launching alongside a film’s marketing push, it feels as though the LEGO Group has recognised a character that has outgrown its original release window and remains culturally relevant on its own terms.
We have seen Venom in LEGO sets before, but never the specific Tom Hardy version. That makes this release notable, and the bust format is an ideal fit.
It avoids the need to recreate a specific film scene and instead leans into the instantly recognisable image of Venom: the exaggerated jaw, the sharp teeth, and the long tongue that define this interpretation.
The inclusion of a minifigure only strengthens that appeal, even if it stops short of giving us Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock. It still adds something new for collectors who have been waiting for this version of the character.
Overall, the set feels less like a delayed release and more like a long-overdue one.
76356 Venom Bust releases July 1 and retails for £44.99 / $49.99 / €49.99, joining 76326 Iron Spider-Man Bust and 76327 Iron Man MK4 Bust.
Featured image: Sony Pictures
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