The Disconnected World of Sony Marvel Movies
In the realm of Hollywood, where interconnected superhero universes dominate, Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSMU) stands as a peculiar anomaly. Despite its focus on spin-offs related to the iconic Spider-Man, these films remain largely unlinked, both narratively and thematically. The Venom trilogy, arguably the flagship of the SSMU, is particularly notable for its lack of connection to Spider-Man’s world, a detail that has consistently stood out.
Venom: The Last Dance’s Stance on Spider-Man
The latest installment in the Venom series, “Venom: The Last Dance,” reinforces its decision to remain independent from the web-slinger. Though there could be myriad reasons behind the absence of a Tom Hardy and Tom Holland crossover, ranging from creative choices to legal intricacies, the previous films in their respective sagas had hinted at a potential link. This anticipation is abruptly dismissed in “The Last Dance,” leaving fans who expected a grand crossover somewhat bemused.
The Misleading Tease of a Crossover
In 2021, “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” ended with a post-credits scene where Eddie Brock/Venom appears to be transported to the MCU, observing J. Jonah Jameson’s television broadcast revealing Spider-Man’s identity. Venom’s fervent interest in Spider-Man seemed to suggest a forthcoming face-off. However, this expectation was swiftly quashed with the release of “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” In its post-credits scene, Eddie/Venom’s brief stay in the MCU concludes abruptly, with Eddie expressing a fleeting curiosity about Spider-Man before being whisked away, leaving only a minuscule remnant of the symbiote behind.
The Shift in Venom’s Narrative
“The Last Dance” intriguingly begins with Eddie and Venom still in the MCU, revisiting the bar scene from “No Way Home” but omitting any mention of Spider-Man. Instead, the narrative shifts focus to the symbiote’s desire to visit the Statue of Liberty, an apparent pivot in storytelling direction. While earlier drafts might have revolved around a quest to find Spider-Man in New York, the final version opts for a different journey, disconnected from the earlier teases.
Unresolved Threads and Future Prospects
In “The Last Dance,” certain plot elements, like the bartender who appears in both the Venom universe and the MCU, hint at unexplored connections or future storylines. The symbiote left in both universes raises questions about potential developments, though recent trends suggest Marvel might leave these loose ends untied. Fans have speculated about the possibility of the Hardy Venom movies existing in a universe with Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man, which could have provided a unique closure. Nonetheless, with the film’s conclusion, Sony seems to have firmly shut the door on any MCU connections, leaving what might have been a tantalizing crossover merely a dream unfulfilled.