Michelle Williams is in talks to join the cast of “Venom,” insiders tell TheWrap.
Williams would join Tom Hardy in Sony’s upcoming spin-off based on the famous “Spider-Man” villain, which is being directed by Ruben Fleischer from a script by Scott Rosenberg and Jeff Pinkner. The spin-off, which will be independent from “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” will be released October 5, 2018.
“Venom” would be the first foray into superhero films for the actress, who first broke through on the TV show “Dawson’s Creek.”
Venom, aka Eddie Brock, was played by Topher Grace in 2007’s “Spider-Man 3.” Brock gains spider-like powers — and terrifying fangs — when he bonds with a symbiotic organism that takes on the form of a shape-shifting black costume. In the Marvel Comics, the costume initially belonged to Spider-Man, but it’s unclear what it’s origin will be in the new film.
Williams received a Best Supporting Actress nomination at this year’s Oscars for her performance in “Manchester By The Sea,” the fourth of her career. She will next appear in Todd Haynes’ “Wonderstruck,” Fox’s musical “The Greatest Showman,” and in Ridley Scott’s crime drama “All the Money in the World,” the latter of which is also being distributed by Sony.
Williams is repped by WME and Brillstein Entertainment. Sony declined to comment on the casting.
