Sony Pictures signaled the start of production of Venom on Monday with the release of a behind-the-scenes photo of star Tom Hardy.RELATED: Venom Story Rumor Indicates The Spidey Character May Be A ‘Good’ GuyLittle is known about the long-planned Spider-Man spinoff, although recent rumors suggest the film by director Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland, Gangster Squad) will adapt the 1993 Marvel Comics miniseries Venom: Lethal Protector, in which symbiote host Eddie Brock turned from a villain to an antihero and moved to San Francisco.

Hunted by the father of one of his victims, he's soon targeted by super-powered mercenaries who were offshoots of the Venom symbiote: Scream, Riot, Phage, Agony and Lasher. There are rumors that Michelle Williams will play She-Venom, and Riz Ahmed will become Carnage, so there's a chance the movie will adapt the storyline with a new group of villains.

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Fans definitely shouldn’t expect Peter Parker to team up with Venom, as Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has stated Venom will exist outside of Marvel Cinematic Universe continuity: “I think they’re focusing on making a great Venom movie, and I don’t know much about it, but I know they’re off to a good start with Tom Hardy.”

Written by Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg, Venom is targeted for release on Oct. 5, 2018.