As a lifelong comic book enthusiast and someone who has patiently waited for the big screen adaptation of Venom, I must say that Knull’s introduction in Venom: The Last Dance was both intriguing and slightly underwhelming. While he played a key role in manipulating events from behind the scenes, his actual screen time was limited, much like Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars.
caution: The information below contains spoilers for Venom: The Last Dance
At last, it appears that Venom: The Last Dance hints at a climactic conclusion for Sony’s shared universe. In this film, a formidable new adversary emerges, setting the stage as a potential threat on par with Marvel’s Thanos. This character, portrayed by director Andy Serkis from Let There Be Carnage, is well-loved among comic book enthusiasts. If Sony avoids early termination of their franchise, this villain could prove to be an exciting antagonist on the big screen.
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Who Is Knull in the Comics?
In the storyline of Venom: The Last Dance, Knull, often referred to as the main antagonist, is relatively fresh in the grand scheme of things, debuting in the Venom comics as recently as 2018. In the comic book lore, he was once a deity who dwelled in a realm of darkness. However, his home was disrupted by the Celestials and flooded with light, causing him to initiate a war against these beings in an attempt to restore the darkness to his world.
On his voyage, he eventually arrives at the undisclosed home world of Gorr the God Butcher from Thor: Love and Thunder. There, he stumbles upon an old, potent force called the Living Abyss. With this newfound power, Knull manufactures symbiotes, a planet for them to inhabit, and a collective consciousness to rule over his offspring. Now bolstered by a vast army, Knull repeatedly attempts to dominate the universe; however, he often suffers defeats (particularly at the hands of Thor on one instance).
In the end, symbiotes revolt against their maker and imprison Knull on his planet, which they rename as Klyntar. Later in our current timeline, Knull resurfaces following a battle between Venom and Carnage that breaks his captivity. He subsequently obliterates Klyntar and generates an army of symbiote-dragon minions for the purpose of invading Earth, setting the stage for the “King in Black” narrative. Somewhere along the line, Eddie Brock meets his demise during this saga, but with divine intervention from the God of Light, he is brought back to life by the Silver Surfer. Eventually, Venom defeats Knull and disposes him into the sun.
The ability to command symbiotes is subsequently bestowed upon Venom, making him the King in Black, a title originally held by Knull. Unlike many Marvel antagonists, Knull has remained deceased since then, indicating that the “King in Black” saga is likely the one to be brought to life if Sony’s cinematic universe concludes its grand storyline.
What Part Does Knull Play in Venom: The Last Dance?
Knull, while scarcely appearing throughout Venom: The Last Dance, doesn’t actively participate in the action but rather orchestrates events subtly for future installments. He serves a role reminiscent of Emperor Palpatine, secretively influencing key story developments to advance his own interests. In the film’s opening, Knull dispatches his minions, the Xenophages, to pursue Eddie Brock and Venom, thereby triggering their relentless chase and kickstarting the narrative. By capturing them, he hopes to find a device called a Codex, which could potentially release him from his confinement.
A Codex can only be created when a symbiote resurrects its host. Since the initial movie depicted this very situation with Eddie and Venom, they have become Knull’s most wanted. Throughout the story, Knull’s menace takes various forms; the conclusion leads Eddie to a covert lab in Area 51, designed to study symbiotes. It is revealed that these creatures have arrived on Earth due to the danger their creator poses, making them crucial in the climax as they aid in repelling the Xenophages.
However, the exact outcome of Sony’s shared universe remains uncertain, as the finale has Venom voluntarily exploding at Area 51 after joining forces with the Xenophages. With Eddie grieving over his lost companion and vowing to keep the incident under wraps, it becomes apparent that Knull takes advantage of this opportunity, sensing a newfound resolve in his ambitions for dominance now that his main adversary is gone.
In the confirmed final installment of “Venom” titled “The Last Dance“, the storyline leaves room for Eddie’s friend or at least a mutual acquaintance to potentially reappear during Earth’s time of crisis. The post-credits scenes take us back to the damaged Area 51, where a shattered vial containing a symbiote is found and a black cockroach scuttles past. Given that “King in Black” appears to be the most plausible storyline for Knull’s adaptation, and considering it would be challenging to carry out without Venom in some capacity (particularly if we wish to see Knull defeated), this could suggest that Knull might not truly be as deceased as he seems.
Sony’s Universe Is Uncertain for Knull
Given all that’s been discussed, it’s troubling to consider whether we’ll get to witness this intriguing conclusion or not. Sony has faced a setback with movies like Morbius and Madame Web, and the recent trend of superhero burnout, coupled with lower-than-expected box office earnings for The Last Dance, doesn’t bode well. However, from a character perspective, Knull’s captivating comic book history suggests he could be an exceptional character in Sony’s universe that we’d genuinely want to see more of. Although the latest film didn’t offer much for Andy Serkis, we’re eager to see him take on a more substantial role in future projects. Venom: The Last Dance is currently playing in cinemas.
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2024-11-01 00:31