After dominating the box office with Venom: The Last Dance, fans noticed a significant change: Michelle Williams, who played Anne Weying, was missing from the trilogy's concluding chapter. Known for her portrayal of Eddie Brock's (Tom Hardy) ex-fiancé and She-Venom's first host, Williams' character was integral to the franchise's emotional depth and Brock's evolving journey. The decision to exclude Weying raised questions, and director Kelly Marcel provided insight into this choice, sparking debates among fans and critics alike.
Michelle Williams as Anne Weying: A Quick Recap
In the first two films, Williams' Anne Weying played a crucial role as Brock's former fiancée and legal defender. Though initially at odds with Brock's recklessness, Anne eventually found herself deeply involved in his chaotic world, even bonding with the alien symbiote Venom to save him in a thrilling transformation into She-Venom. By the second movie, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, she and her new partner Dan Lewis (Reid Scott) took on an active role, helping Brock and Venom escape danger from Carnage (Woody Harrelson) and his ally Shriek (Naomie Harris). Anne's relationship with Brock was foundational, adding complexity to his character and a sense of grounded humanity amidst the franchise's often-quirky tone.
Why Michelle Williams Isn't in Venom: The Last Dance
The absence of Anne Weying from The Last Dance was a deliberate storytelling choice, as explained by Kelly Marcel, who directed this final installment. She expressed that removing Weying allowed Brock and Venom to achieve a unique “symbiosis” by stripping them of any familiar support. Marcel stated, “We wanted to take them away from everything they knew and everyone they loved, so that they really only had each other to rely on now.”
In The Last Dance, Brock and Venom find themselves in Mexico, fleeing both authorities and a powerful antagonist, Knull. Their road trip story demanded isolation, which Marcel felt would deepen their bond by placing them in a high-stakes situation without the comfort of past connections. This approach aimed to intensify their codependent relationship and solidify them as “Lethal Protector[s],” reliant on each other in a way that only isolation could foster.
An Analysis of the Bold Storytelling Choice
While fans of Williams may miss her on-screen presence, Marcel's decision aligns with a broader narrative strategy. Road trip dynamics often strip characters down, revealing their vulnerabilities and strengths. By excluding Anne and other familiar faces, the film builds Brock and Venom's relationship in a raw and stripped-back environment, placing them in situations where their connection is tested and solidified under extreme pressure. Marcel's direction reflects this intense focus on Brock and Venom's unique bond and underscores the existential risks that accompany their alliance.
The omission of Weying and Dan Lewis also serves a practical purpose: by removing any subplot around Weying's character arc, The Last Dance keeps its pace on Brock and Venom's journey and the escalating threat posed by Knull. Though this choice might leave longtime fans of Anne Weying unsatisfied, it allows for tighter storytelling within the limited scope of a single feature film.
Plot Summary of Venom: The Last Dance
The film picks up with Eddie Brock in hiding in Mexico, where he and Venom flee from authorities after being implicated in a murder. Brock and Venom's peace is short-lived as Knull, the ancient symbiote god, dispatches a formidable creature called the Xenophage to capture them and retrieve a powerful symbiote “Codex.” From Mexico, they journey to New York, where a secretive military operation called Imperium, led by Rex Strickland (Chiwetel Ejiofor), seeks to capture and control symbiotes for weaponization.
In a climactic showdown in Las Vegas, Brock faces near-impossible odds, culminating in a sacrificial act that brings his journey to a poignant close. Though The Last Dance refrains from directly addressing Weying's fate, it underscores Brock's solitude, his connection with Venom, and his ultimate decision to protect humanity.
Future for Michelle Williams
Though she won't appear in Venom: The Last Dance, Michelle Williams' career remains vibrant. She's set to portray legendary singer Peggy Lee in Fever, an upcoming biopic by Todd Haynes. She'll also make her return to television with Dying for Sex, adding to her diverse repertoire and proving that her absence from the Venom franchise was not a career pause but a redirection to other exciting opportunities.
Conclusion
The decision to exclude Michelle Williams from Venom: The Last Dance may be divisive, but it aligns with Marcel's commitment to telling a focused and isolated story about Eddie Brock and Venom's unique bond. By forcing them into a position where they must rely solely on each other, the movie intensifies their journey and emotional arc, crafting a final chapter that may be unexpected but stays true to its core characters. As the Spider-Man Universe evolves, Weying's absence here suggests that fresh narratives and dynamics will drive the franchise forward, even without familiar faces.
Marcel's direction of The Last Dance was ambitious, yet her decision to leave out a fan-favorite character like Anne Weying took courage. While her absence narrows the story's focus on Brock and Venom, it risks alienating fans who saw Weying as a grounding figure in Eddie's life. The choice feels fitting for a road trip story but leaves a noticeable gap for longtime fans who valued the character's past impact. That said, focusing on Brock's relationship with Venom allowed for a more intimate and introspective plot that complements the trilogy's final arc. This film pushes boundaries while staying faithful to the heart of Brock and Venom's story.
Do you think leaving out Michelle Williams' character made Venom: The Last Dance a stronger story, or did it take away from the trilogy's emotional depth?
