Sony’s Spider-Man universe is gearing up for an electrifying showdown with the arrival of a villain that could rival even Marvel’s biggest bad guys. Venom: The Last Dance, the highly anticipated third chapter of Tom Hardy’s Venom saga, is set to introduce Knull, a primordial god and creator of symbiotes, into the cinematic fold. With this revelation, fans and critics alike are buzzing with excitement, and for good reason.
Knull’s introduction marks a seismic shift in Sony’s Spider-Man universe, potentially offering a Thanos-level villain to unify and revitalize its sometimes lackluster attempts to expand beyond the web-slinger’s iconic adventures.
Knull: The God of Symbiotes and His Marvel Legacy
Knull may be a relatively new addition to Marvel Comics, but he has already cemented himself as one of the most terrifying villains in the universe. Created by Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman, Knull is the embodiment of darkness and chaos, a primordial god who predates the universe itself. His ability to control and manipulate symbiotes, the very creatures that Venom himself belongs to, makes him a dangerous foe not just for Eddie Brock, but for the entire Marvel cosmos.
In Marvel Comics, Knull’s story begins at the dawn of time in a cosmic battle between light and darkness. After being betrayed by his own creations—the symbiotes—he embarks on a war that spans the universe. His malevolent power and influence are unparalleled, making him a fitting candidate to challenge Venom and potentially all of Sony’s Spider-Man-adjacent properties.
Sony’s Game-Changing Villain: Knull in Venom: The Last Dance
While Sony’s previous attempts to build a Spider-Man cinematic universe have been met with mixed results, the introduction of Knull could be the fresh start the franchise needs. As the final film in Tom Hardy’s Venom trilogy, Venom: The Last Dance promises to be a high-stakes conclusion that not only wraps up Eddie Brock’s story but also opens the door to something much bigger.
Bringing in Knull signals that Sony is ready to compete with the interconnected storytelling of Marvel’s MCU. With a villain this powerful, Sony has the chance to unify its scattered properties, bringing in characters like Morbius, Madame Web, and even Spider-Man himself to face a common enemy. This could mean an epic, sprawling crossover event that Spider-Man fans have been waiting for, with Knull playing the role of a larger-than-life villain, akin to Thanos in the MCU’s Infinity Saga.
The Unexpected Surprise for Knull’s Co-Creator
One of the more light-hearted moments in this otherwise dark and epic tale comes from Knull’s co-creator, Ryan Stegman. After the reveal of Knull in Venom: The Last Dance, Stegman took to social media to express his surprise and excitement.
“Yes, I did co-create Knull. No, I didn’t know until today that he was gonna be in Venom: The Last Dance. Yes, I do expect to finally be able to afford that lazy river moat around my house,”
Stegman humorously tweeted, acknowledging the potential windfall that could come from his creation’s live-action debut.
Stegman’s comments highlight the often-surprising nature of Hollywood adaptations, where even the creators themselves may not always be aware of their characters’ on-screen futures. But one thing is certain—Knull’s arrival could spell big things for both Stegman and Sony’s Spider-Man universe.
Can Venom: The Last Dance Save Sony’s Spider-Man Universe?
Sony has had its ups and downs when it comes to translating its Spider-Man-adjacent properties into successful films. While Tom Hardy’s Venom has been a bright spot, other projects like Morbius and Madame Web have struggled to gain the same kind of traction, both critically and commercially. However, the introduction of Knull could be the game-changer that Sony desperately needs.
Unlike previous villains, Knull represents a threat on a universal scale, one that could draw together all the disparate threads of Sony’s Spider-Man universe. If done right, Knull’s presence could provide the connective tissue that has been missing from Sony’s superhero offerings, creating a coherent narrative that spans multiple films and characters.
The Necrosword and Knull’s MCU Connection
Marvel fans may recognize Knull’s weapon of choice, the Necrosword, from another corner of the MCU. The Necrosword made its live-action debut in Thor: Love and Thunder as the weapon of Christian Bale’s Gorr the God Butcher. Though Gorr’s portrayal in the film left many fans underwhelmed, the sword’s rich comic book history ties directly back to Knull, who originally wielded the weapon as part of his campaign of darkness and destruction.
With Knull now entering the fray in Venom: The Last Dance, the question arises: Could this be a signal of a deeper connection between Sony’s Spider-Man universe and the broader MCU? While no official crossover has been confirmed, the shared history of the Necrosword hints at exciting possibilities for future collaborations between Marvel and Sony.
As Venom: The Last Dance approaches its October 24, 2024, release date, fans are eagerly awaiting to see how Knull’s introduction will reshape the landscape of Sony’s Spider-Man universe. With a character this powerful, there’s no doubt that the stakes are higher than ever for Eddie Brock and his symbiote alter-ego.
The success of this film could very well determine the future of Sony’s superhero ambitions. Will Knull be the villain that finally unifies the Spider-Man universe under a common narrative? Or will this be another missed opportunity in Sony’s ongoing quest to carve out its own corner of the superhero genre?
Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure—Venom fans and comic book enthusiasts alike have never been more excited to see what happens next.