Venom: The Last Dance – Is Knull Positioned as Sony’s Version of Thanos?

The Sony Spider-Man Universe (SSU) shows no signs of slowing down. With the recent release of Venom: The Last Dance proving to be financially successful, fans can expect even more characters like Morbius and Madame Web in upcoming releases. Despite the mixed critical reception, particularly regarding Venom 3, the franchise is clearly poised to expand. Whether this is a mere financial strategy or a pointed challenge to Marvel’s dominance, Sony is racing towards a grand narrative, with Knull, the dark god, set to play a pivotal role akin to Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

The ongoing SSU saga serves as a cautionary tale concerning the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s origins. Despite its current status as a cinematic titan, the path laid out by producer Kevin Feige was fraught with risks. Any misstep—be it a poorly received film, unconvincing casting, or lackluster story arcs—could have derailed the entire initiative. Unlike the MCU, which is built on a framework of quality storytelling, Sony illustrates the pitfalls of prioritizing rapid franchise expansion without a solid foundation.

Who is Knull?

Name	Fuck
Creators	Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman
First Mentioned	Thor: God of Thunder #6
First Full Appearance	Venom Vol. 4 #3
First Appearance Date	August 2018

Knull, introduced into Marvel’s lore in the 2010s, embodies a figure of cosmic horror. His backstory intertwines with Gorr the God Butcher, who wielded the All-Black Necrosword—a weapon capable of annihilating gods—stolen from the original dark entity, Knull. Evolving through various comic arcs, Knull emerged as a central antagonist in both the Silver Surfer series and the King in Black storyline. Knull is portrayed as an ancient being, birthed from the chaos of existence before the creation of the current universe. When the Celestials utilized the “Light of Creation”to form this new reality, they extended an offer to Knull, which he spurned, opting instead to craft his lethal weapon—the symbiotes. His ambition is to engulf the cosmos in darkness, placing him among Marvel’s most formidable villainous characters.

Could Knull be Sony’s Thanos?

It appears highly likely that Knull will play a role similar to Thanos within the SSU. Thanos was gradually revealed as a menacing presence long before he took center stage, featuring in brief appearances, teasing future threats across several films. His build-up across the MCU—a calculated effort that culminated in Avengers: Infinity War—transformed him into a memorable antagonist.

In a similar vein, Venom: The Last Dance initiates the process of establishing Knull as an impending threat, illustrating a parallel to Thanos’s narrative trajectory. Knull’s influence appears through an army of emotionless alien creatures, reflecting how Thanos originally operated. However, unlike Thanos, who meticulously orchestrated events to maximize his impact, Knull is yet to would assume any central role outside of this latest entry. Although he has the potential to be a main antagonist, the SSU thus far lacks the depth and complexity that enriched Thanos’s characterization.

Does Sony Have a Team to Combat Knull?

Efforts to assemble a Sinister Six film have been ongoing since The Amazing Spider-Man 2, with Sony envisioning a collaborative villain story akin to Marvel’s hero-centric *Avengers*. Current reports suggest a resurgence of interest in this project, yet the lineup appears underwhelming. A hypothetical SSU team would likely include key characters like Venom, Morbius, Madame Web, Kraven, and perhaps the MCU’s Vulture, portrayed by Michael Keaton.

This assembly of characters does not evoke confidence; Sony’s ability to craft a compelling narrative remains in question. Alternatively, a focus on a symbiote-themed ensemble could provide a fresh angle, where varied symbiotic creatures unite against the looming threat of Knull. However, given that the *Venom* films represent some of Sony’s few financial successes, the possibility of meaningful innovation seems dim.

Should the SSU ambition persist, it is plausible that attention will resume towards a Sinister Six film. To create such a villainous group, the team will require a formidable foe—Knull could fulfill this role. While his character can generate intrigue and present considerable danger, he still lacks the nuanced complexity that defined Thanos’s character. Nevertheless, it may not come as a surprise if Sony attempts, and potentially fails, to replicate Marvel’s triumphs.

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