Sony’s latest superhero film, Venom: The Last Dance, is touted as the final chapter for Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock and his alien symbiote, but it introduces a new character, Knull, that could extend the narrative far beyond this trilogy. The formidable god of the Symbiotes, also known as the King in Black debuts in this third instalment, potentially setting the stage for future Marvel stories.
Director Kelly Marcel, in a recent interview with IGN, hinted that while Venom: The Last Dance concludes the current Venom saga, it also marks just the beginning for Knull.
“We’re in spoiler territory now and we hope some of the fun of watching this movie is not knowing what will happen, but trust me, we know full well how important Knull is to the fans, so just as we laid a foundation for Venom, we hope we are doing the same for Knull. The King in Black is way too powerful for ‘one and done’,” Marcel stated, emphasising that the film merely scratches the surface of Knull’s potential as a villain.
“This film introduces Knull, but it just touches the beginnings of his story. Marvel’s greatest film villains are developed over time. Here, Knull is the threat lurking behind the danger that tests the absolute limits of Eddie and Venom’s partnership — but it’s their relationship that remains the heart of this story.”
Speculation about Knull’s future includes potential appearances in upcoming Spider-Man stories, possibly involving Tom Holland’s Peter Parker or Shameik Moore’s Miles Morales. Marcel’s comments hint at a broader universe where Knull could emerge as a central figure, akin to Thanos in previous Marvel phases.
First appearing in 2013’s Thor: God of Thunder comics, Knull is a primordial god linked to the origins of the Symbiotes, including the Necrosword wielded by Gorr the God Butcher. His historical significance and immense power make him a compelling villain for future narratives.
Venom: The Last Dance, while wrapping up the current Venom storyline, sets a precedent for Marvel’s evolving cinematic universe, where characters like Knull can transcend individual films to become part of a larger, interconnected narrative. The film stars Tom Hardy returning as Eddie Brock, with a supporting cast including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, and Rhys Ifans, among others. The identity of Knull’s actor remains under wraps, keeping fans eagerly awaiting more details as the film’s release approaches.