Why was Venom (2018) so powerful compared to his earlier cinematic appearances?
Venom's increased power in the 2018 film can be attributed to a few factors:
1. Enhanced Origin: In the comic books, Venom's powers are influenced by the "symbiote" organism that bonds to its host. In the 2018 film, the origin story shows that the symbiote had bonded with multiple hosts prior to Eddie Brock. This prolonged exposure and bonding allowed Venom to evolve and become more powerful.
2. Lack of Spider-Man Connection: In previous cinematic appearances such as Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 3 (2007), Venom's powers were limited. This was because the filmmakers chose to omit the character's original connection to Spider-Man. However, in the 2018 film, Venom stands alone as a character with his own abilities, not relying on the power limitations of Peter Parker's powers.
3. Adaptation of the "Lethal Protector" Storyline: The 2018 film draws inspiration from the "Lethal Protector" storyline from the comic books. In this storyline, Venom's powers and abilities are showcased more prominently as he becomes more of an anti-hero. This adaptation allows the film to explore Venom's full potential, making him more powerful compared to his earlier cinematic appearances.
Overall, the increased power of Venom in the 2018 film is a result of a combination of enhanced origin, detachment from Spider-Man's limitations, and the adaptation of a storyline that highlights his abilities.