The upcoming superhero (or rather, antihero) sequel Venom: Let There Be Carnage has faced numerous delays in its release schedule due to the ongoing pandemic. However, it now appears that Sony has had a change of heart in regards to making audiences wait. Fans will actually get to see Eddie Brock battle his symbiote nemesis Carnage earlier than expected.

Sony Pictures announced on its Twitter account that Venom: Let There Be Carnage will now release exclusively in theaters on October 1st, two weeks earlier than its most recently planned release date of October 15. This marks the sixth time the release date for the movie has been changed due to ongoing circumstances.

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The sequel to the 2018 film directed by Ruben Fleischer was originally slated for release on October 2, 2020. That date was then pushed into next summer, with plans for the film to hit theaters on June 25, 2021. That was then pushed even further into fall with two new subsequent release dates of September 17 and then September 24. It was then moved to October 15, with the studio making the decision this week to move the film up to October 1.

No reason for the change in release date was given, but it may have had something to do with another Marvel character's success. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which premiered Labor Day weekend, not only performed well financially, but it also set a new record for films released on the long weekend, knocking off the previous champion, 2007's Halloween remake helmed by Rob Zombie. Shang-Chi is expected to hit $80 million, according to Variety.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage will see Tom Hardy return to the role of Eddie Brock, the reporter who famously bonds with an alien symbiote to become Venom. While the character was originally a villain who faced off against Spider-Man, he has in recent years been redefined as more of an antihero. The movie will see him go up against murderer Cletus Kasady, played by Woody Harrelson, who also bonds with a symbiote to become Carnage, a blood-red, monstrous villain out to terrorize and kill people.

The sequel, helmed by Andy Serkis, will also see Michelle Williams return to her role as Eddie Brock's ex, Anne Weying. Another classic Marvel character, Shriek, will also be introduced in the film, played by Naomie Harris. While there has been no indication that this film will be tied to Spider-Man in any way, recent trailers have featured cameos by the Daily Bugle, the newspaper run by J. Jonah Jameson that Peter Parker famously freelanced for.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage will release in theaters on October 1.

MORE: Will Venom: Let There Be Carnage Set The Stage For More Symbiotes?

Source: Sony Pictures|Twitter