The False Promise of Crossover Frenzy in Hollywood Tom Holland's recent admission that a Spider Man/Venom crossover was always in the cards but never materialized is just the latest symptom of a larger problem plaguing the entertainment industry: the overemphasis on franchise crossovers and universe building.
On the surface, it seems like a harmless discussion about what could have been, with Holland echoing MCU head Kevin Feige's mantra that "anything can happen" in the future.
But scratch beneath the surface, and you'll find a narrative that's more about corporate branding than creative vision. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has mastered the art of universe building, but it's come at a cost.