IESB reports that Marvel Studios is gearing up for a film spin-off featuring "Spider-Man" villain Venom, and has already met with "several A-list writers" about the project.

The studio signed an interim agreement with the WGA the other week allowing them to continue developing scripts for projects, and retains the rights to the character despite his appearance in Sony's highly profitable but critically mixed "Spider-Man 3".

No word if actor Topher Grace will reprise his role of if Sam Raimi will be involved though both are unlikely.