Prepare yourself for the epic conclusion of the Venom trilogy with Venom: The Last Dance. Tom Hardy’s portrayal of Eddie Brock, a journalist entangled with the alien symbiote Venom, faces its most formidable enemy yet—Knull, the King in Black. Importantly, the film’s introduction of Knull, a cosmic entity older than the universe itself, sets the stage for a gripping finale. It is filled with intense action, suspense, and the dark origins of the symbiote race.
For comic book followers, Knull is a familiar name, synonymous with destruction and darkness. But for those new to his story, this film offers the perfect entry point. It helps understand the true scale of the evil deity who once ruled over the symbiotes from the throne of King in Black. This final chapter in the Venom saga is sure to be one of the most talked-about films of the year. We’re here to give you everything you need to know about Knull, his history, and the role he plays in this cinematic masterpiece.
Who is Knull?
Knull is more than just a villain—he is the embodiment of darkness. He is an Eldritch God who predates the cosmos itself. Created long before the birth of the universe, Knull was content to exist in the endless void. He ruled over a kingdom of darkness. However, the Celestials, cosmic beings responsible for creation, unknowingly awakened him. They began shaping the universe with their light. Furious that the “Light of Creation” destroyed his realm of darkness, Knull declared war on the Celestials. As the King in Black, he sought revenge for this intrusion.
Knull crafted All-Black the Necrosword, a weapon forged from his own shadow and hatred, and used it to kill the Celestials. He then created the Symbiote Hive, creatures that could be controlled telepathically, and sent them across the universe, spreading his reign of darkness.
Knull’s Connection to the Symbiotes
The symbiotes, as we’ve come to know them through Venom and Carnage, are directly tied to Knull. In fact, Knull is the original creator of the symbiote race. His connection to them is integral to the mythology of the Venom universe. When Knull created the Symbiote Hive, he also instilled a part of his consciousness into every symbiote. This allowed him to control them in his reign as King in Black.
However, when Thor intercepted one of Knull’s creations on Earth, it broke the telepathic link between Knull and the symbiotes. This freed them from his control. In retaliation, the symbiotes, led by their newfound sense of autonomy, revolted against Knull. They imprisoned him on a synthetic planet made from billions of symbiotes, called Klyntar. This “planet” is actually a prison, designed to keep Knull trapped for eternity. But in Venom: The Last Dance, we see the weakening of this prison and Knull’s imminent return.
What is the Codex?
A key element in Venom: The Last Dance is the concept of the Codex. In the comic books, the Codex refers to a genetic imprint that remains within anyone who has ever bonded with a symbiote. Importantly, Cletus Kasady (Carnage) discovers that by collecting these codices from other symbiote hosts, he can gather enough power to fully awaken Knull from his imprisonment in Klyntar, further enhancing the saga of King in Black.
In the Venom cinematic universe, Eddie Brock is revealed to retain the Codex after briefly dying in Venom: Let There Be Carnage. This makes Eddie a crucial piece in Knull’s escape from his imprisonment. Therefore, as the final film progresses, Knull’s awakening hinges on Venom’s connection to the Codex. This makes Eddie and Venom his ultimate key to freedom.
The Role of Knull in Venom: The Last Dance
In Venom: The Last Dance, Knull is introduced right at the beginning. This creates intrigue and excitement for both comic book fans and casual viewers. Intriguingly, he is portrayed by Andy Serkis, who, despite stepping down as the director after Let There Be Carnage, returns to the franchise in this powerful role. Serkis brings his signature motion-capture brilliance to the character. He gives Knull an otherworldly, menacing presence that will undoubtedly stand out as one of the highlights of the film. As King in Black, his portrayal commands attention.
Knull’s appearance is not just about one final showdown—it’s about bringing the entire symbiote saga full circle. He is the origin of all symbiotes, the true king they once served. As the film unfolds, viewers will see Knull’s terrifying powers as he controls alien species like the Xenophage. He hunts Venom and Eddie across the universe.
Who Plays Knull?
Fans of Venom will be thrilled to know that Andy Serkis plays the role of Knull in Venom: The Last Dance. Known for his exceptional work in motion-capture performances as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings and Caesar in Planet of the Apes, Serkis was the perfect choice to bring the dark, ominous presence of Knull, King in Black, to life. His portrayal is expected to add a new level of depth to the Venom universe. It blends his expertise in creating monstrous yet emotionally complex characters.
The Final Battle and What’s Next
With Knull freed from his prison, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Eddie Brock and Venom. They face off against the dark god in a battle that could determine the fate of the symbiote race and potentially affect the universe itself. The final film in the Venom trilogy promises to deliver high-octane action and emotional depth. Eddie and Venom grapple with their shared fate under the looming presence of the King in Black.
While Venom: The Last Dance is set to be Tom Hardy’s final outing as Eddie Brock, the introduction of Knull leaves the door open for potential future stories within the Marvel universe. Also, whether Knull will make appearances in other Marvel projects remains to be seen, but his impact on the Venom storyline is undeniable.
When and Where to Watch
Mark your calendars—Venom: The Last Dance hits theaters on October 25, 2024. As the concluding chapter of the Venom trilogy, this film is bound to captivate audiences with its dark, thrilling storyline, presenting the explosive showdown between Venom and Knull, King in Black.