Yeah, I think that the multiverse, at least as we're getting it, has a lot to do with Sony and the new deal. Basically, the Sony movies, like Venom and such, get to be officially part of the MCU multiverse, and they could even use Tom Holland on those, without making a continuity mess and affecting the main MCU universe so much (outside of those few movies). I think it's pretty smart tbh.
I still don't get making a Venom movie without Spider-Man
But I don't really get the whole villain movie idea anyway
It sucks because I think Tom Holland is a legitimately great Spider-Man and I was willing to put up with the Iron-Spider-Lad stuff if it meant we could get 'purer' Spider-Man movies down the line once they got some distance from the McGuire/Garfield movies but now these MCU Spider-Man seem like nothing more than a cheap cash grab/fanservice with nothing more to offer besides 'hey it's this guy with that guy'.
Venom was the most popular Sony had and he's had spin-offs before. You use what you have and I could see the appeal.
It's a change of pace and villian centered stories aren't new to Hollywood. Breaking Bad and Sopranos popularized story centered around a villianous/antihero protagonist.
If they can make a villain movie without a hero, they should try to make the reverse. A drama and/or comedy about a superhero's personal life. Maybe one without a decent rogues gallery
I get why they used Venom, but he's the villain most connected to Spider-Man, so instead we have Venon fight Riot, who's not really a majoe villain. I still like Tom Hardy in the role though
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giWIr7U1deA
Teaser trailer for Shang-Chi.