Why Introducing Knull in Venom 3 Was a Misstep: My Change of Heart

The recent introduction of Knull in Venom: The Last Dance has left many, including myself, feeling somewhat frustrated. As a formidable force in the Marvel universe, Knull’s potential to influence the trajectory of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU) was significant. His appearance in promotional materials generated substantial excitement, and I, along with many fans, eagerly anticipated seeing how the film would portray this dread god of the abyss. Moreover, writer and director Kelly Marcel’s assurance of Knull’s future involvement in the SSU added to the anticipation.

However, the film’s context is puzzling, considering that Venom: The Last Dance marks the conclusion of Venom’s trilogy. Although Knull is recognized as a significant adversary for Venom, the character primarily interacts with Marvel superheroes, most of whom are under the ownership of Marvel Studios. This limitation forced Sony to contemplate scenarios where Knull might confront less iconic characters like Morbius and Kraven the Hunter rather than engaging with Venom or Thor. In the end, this buildup felt ultimately futile, leaving me disappointed once again.

Venom 3 Positioned Knull as the SSU’s Titan Challenge

Hints of Knull’s Return in the Post-Credits Scene

Knull is a primordial god and the originator of all symbiotes, boasting powers that dwarf many villains introduced in recent Marvel films. His abilities positioned him as a legitimate contender against characters such as Thanos, rendering him a compelling threat in the cinematic landscape. In Marvel Comics, Knull’s ferocity was starkly illustrated when he defeated Sentry, Marvel’s Superman equivalent, in a brutal confrontation.

Interestingly, Sony mirrored Marvel Studios’ narrative techniques in introducing Knull. His role in the film was minimal, pulling strings from his Klyntar prison, reminiscent of Thanos’s early, enigmatic presence in Guardians of the Galaxy. This similarity raised expectations that Knull’s impending threat, showcased in the post-credits scene, would lead to a substantial continuation of his arc. However, that outcome now appears elusive.

Kraven the Hunter: A Possible Culmination of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe

Sony Halting Live-Action Spin-offs Amidst Shifting Focus

The Wrap recently reported that Sony plans to halt its live-action spin-offs for the time being, pivoting instead towards its animated Spider-Verse projects and collaborations within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This strategic shift appears to stem from the negative critical reception of Kraven the Hunter, which might signify the end of Sony’s current cinematic endeavors. Insiders revealed a sentiment that the films “just aren’t good,”a notion echoed by critics.

Movies in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe	Global Box Office	Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score
Venom (2018)	$856,081,053	30%
Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)	$501,546,922	57%
Morbius (2022)	$162,759,437	15%
Madame Web (2024)	$100,298,817	11%
Venom: The Last Dance (2024)	$472,447,179	41%
Kraven the Hunter (2024)	TBA	15%

While Kraven the Hunter has sparked a divide among fans, currently holding a 73% fan score versus a mere 15% from critics, it has nonetheless experienced a disappointing opening. Pre-release sentiments largely revolved around indifference and skepticism. Although I find solace in Sony’s shift towards more promising ventures, the disconnection regarding Knull’s role lingers heavily on my mind.

Knull’s Introduction Lacked Future Planning

Questions Arise About Sony’s Strategy for Knull

Initially, I was skeptical of Kelly Marcel’s assurance regarding Knull’s potential reappearances, especially as the release schedule for the SSU was notably empty. After witnessing Venom: The Last Dance, this suspicion crystallized into concern over how the franchise might handle Knull’s immense threat without Venom playing a pivotal role.

Portrayed by Andy Serkis, Knull’s character was seemingly included as a marketing strategy to generate buzz for the film. Yet, the final events left Knull trapped in Klyntar, thwarted by Venom and potentially rendering both his threat and their confrontation ineffective. If Venom’s demise serves no purpose beyond this, it raises questions about the film’s narrative integrity.

Despite being a financial success, Venom: The Last Dance grossed $475 million, making it the underperformer of the trilogy compared to its predecessor’s $856 million. In contrast, the MCU’s Spider-Man films have consistently enjoyed increasing box office returns. Introducing Knull could serve as a catalyst for continued success, especially in light of Spider-Man 4’s looming release.

A Chance to Salvage Knull’s Character in Spider-Man 4

Potential for Knull’s Further Development in the MCU

One of the persistent criticisms directed at Sony’s Spider-Man Universe is its evident absence of Spider-Man himself. Prior to the pause on further SSU developments, I envisioned Knull’s involvement as the catalyst for an epic team-up featuring various Spider-Man variants. Fortunately, this dream still holds potential as Spider-Man 4 could potentially deliver such an exhilarating spectacle.

Knull’s dominion over the void between universes aligns perfectly with the multiversal themes previously explored, making his crossover into the MCU plausible.

With details about Spider-Man 4 still emerging, it seems likely that the narrative will weave in multiversal elements. Whether this means the return of iconic portrayals by Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield remains to be seen, but considering its placement between major MCU events like Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, the possibilities for multiversal dynamics are abundant.

Knull, having significant interactions with Thor and being Gorr the God Butcher’s original creator, would make for a perfect foe within the MCU context. As a villain surpassing even Thanos in sheer threat level, he necessitated the collaborative effort of multiple Marvel heroes in comics. Given Knull’s association with symbiotes, Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s post-credits tease might effectively set the stage for Knull’s cinematic role.

In conclusion, Knull possesses immense narrative potential that must not be lost in the chaotic wake of Sony’s evolving cinematic strategy. While Spider-Man 4’s close ties to the overarching threat of Doctor Doom may limit Knull’s immediate prominence, it remains crucial for the filmmakers to explore Knull’s character in some capacity, particularly after the groundwork laid in Venom: The Last Dance.

Source & Images