Tony Todd set a personal best playing Venom in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Tony Todd

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For Tony Todd, his role as Venom in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is the latest in a career full of heroes and villains.

The actor is known for his work ranging from Candywhere he played the titular urban legend, for Transformers: Revengein which he voiced the titular Decepticon known as The Fallen.

With Spider-Man 2, he takes on the costume of one of the main Spider-Man villains for the game which is the best-selling game from PlayStation Studios and which this spring unveiled an update including new costumes and the possibility of replaying a higher difficulty. Venom, meanwhile, remains in the pop culture consciousness in more ways than one, with Tom Hardy unveiling the trailer for Venom: The Last Dance Monday, showing that the character’s legacy spans comics, games, films (and even the multiverse).

In a conversation with The Hollywood ReporterTodd dissects how he creates his characters and reveals how losing his aunt helped him through his memorable Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode “The Visitor”.

Between Candy, Transformers, Star Trek, and now Spider-Man 2, you have a track record of performances that elicit strong reactions. What has been the response for Venom?

I remain humble. I never have any expectations or anything. When I saw the reaction, I knew it was something pretty extraordinary. I’m a gamer, okay? So, I feel like I should pay them to be able to express something that I know will bring happiness, enthusiasm and multiculturalism to people around the world. Venom is badass, and I was thrilled that they cast me, and I hope I can live up to the hype.

As an actor who has been a part of so many different mediums, what has the experience been like for Spider-Man 2?

I did Zoom (on CW The flash), I did Darkseid (in Dark Justice League), I did The Fallen (Transformers: Revenge). What was great about Insomniac was that we had a great voice director who was very meticulous. I could do a voice but it would say, “Let’s go further. »And I love that – you have to be challenged. This is probably a record number of voiceover sessions, the most of any job I’ve ever had. But I had a smile on my face, wondering what today would bring. If you love what you do, you’ll spread that joy.

What was your approach to Venom, for this specific universe?

I wanted to make him more human than just a character. So the first thing I did when I got the job, I went to Golden Apple (comic book store in Los Angeles) and I said, “Give me your top 20 Venom books.” » That was my base, just to understand the different visual aesthetics. I didn’t want to hear any voice samples, so I avoided movies. I just wanted to make it my own. And then with the help of the whole Spider-Man 2 personal, we were able to understand it. And also contain it. Because if you don’t contain Venom, then you’re in total chaos. It’s a dance. And you know, Yuri Lowenthal (who plays Peter Parker) and I have known each other for years. We were on a Netflix show called Dragon Blood together, where we expressed ourselves in a strange way.

You also got to work with Nadji Jeter, who plays Miles Morales. He has been very open about how much he appreciates you and the support you have given him.

Nadji, I adopted him! It’s my nephew. As a black actor, you have to know how to navigate the system. Because the same thing that can build you up can tear you down. He is a very talented young man and I know he will go far. And I just want him to enjoy every step of the way. His name is Miles Morales, for goodness sake. And that’s legendary status, right? If we don’t take care of each other, who will? When I first met Nadji, I was doing a session on set and he walked in. I had never seen anyone with so much enthusiasm. And also, having two people of color on the same set in any situation is always a treat. When I started, I was the only person of color, not only in the cast but also in the crew, you know?

Since you’re a gamer, what’s getting the most love on your console right now?

I always go to NBA 2K. Right now I’m digging the Mamba moments in 2K24. Otherwise, one of my favorite games is Character 5 — I love the storytelling in this. The music, the fantasy of it all. And I remember when my son was little we spent six whole months playing Final Fantasy VII together. They were special memories.

Before I go I need to talk Star Trek. You played Kurn, Worf’s brother, in Star Trek: The Next Generationand also appeared in Star Trek: Travelerbut my favorite is when you play an older Jake Sisko in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode “The Visitor”.

You know, Star Trek was really memorable. If you’ve seen the episode “The Visitor” of New deep space, it is my favorite. My aunt was dead, man. I was inconsolable and lay on my couch crying. All of a sudden, they sent me this script, “The Visitor,” and it was like she was saying, “Rise, honor me.” Life goes on. Just remember the things I taught you and keep your values ​​intact. So all the ways I came up with were all hers. All its particularities, if we want to call them that. My aunt was always there for me. She made sure I was involved in something this summer – I avoided gang life, she emphasized education, and the rest is history.