In the past decade, we’ve had three Venom films, six Spider-Man films, and zero instances of the two meeting. Oh, sure. Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock briefly spoke about Spider-Man at one point. And, way back in another multiverse, Tobey Maguire’s webslinger faced off against the symbiote. But in the current theatrical life cycle of both characters, in both live action and animation, the arch-enemies have yet to showdown.

And while we assume that wait continues with Spider-Man: Brand New Day (no spoilers here), some of the people responsible don’t want fans to give up hope. Speaking to Happy Sad Confused, Spider-Man: Brand New Day producers Amy Pascal and Kevin Feige talked about a potential meet-up between the Toms.

âIt would be great, letâs put it that way,â Pascal said. Feige then added, “Always have hope,” before Pascal tagged on, âI have hope. We have hope.” Of course, that’s a whole lot of nothing. But what it isn’t is a “No.” Here’s the quote as part of a longer clip.

Okay, so assuming that team-up doesn’t happen in Brand New Day (nothing in the marketing has indicated it could, but we wouldn’t want to completely rule it out), when could it happen?

Pascal did confirm the recent news of a Venom animated movie being in the works. So, maybe we see it happen in animation. Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse is also in the works, and it’s been well-established in that world that every Spider-Man or Spider-Man-adjacent movie is part of an infinite Spider-Verse. Maybe it happens then.

Live action gets a little murkier, though. The general assumption is Holland’s Spider-Man will be seen after Brand New Day in 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars. And that film is, again, rumored to feature all manner of cameos: Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man, etc. Surely Venom, an alien by origin, could feature in that in some way. But we don’t think so.

Honestly, the most likely place for this crossover would be a future Spider-Man film and, of course, none of those have been written yet. So “hope” is basically all there is. However, we can all but guarantee Brand New Day is going to be a massive financial success and force Sony to continue making Spider-Man movies. Venom seems like a perfect place for the story to go next. After Secret Wars, of course.

Do you think Tom Holland’s Spider-Man will ever fight Venom? And, if so, will it be Tom Hardy? Let us know below. And, if you are really craving that crossover, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 video game does a hell of a job of it.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whatâs next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.