Sony Pictures Releasing
Be warned: this article contains minor spoilers for “Venom: The Last Dance.” As we moved closer to the release date of “Venom: The Last Dance,” the final installment of Sony’s Marvel-related “Venom” trilogy, the presence of a villain named Knull began to be highlighted in the marketing. I must admit, as a casual comic book reader, the name Knull was unfamiliar to me until recently. However, Knull is a recognized Marvel villain, albeit a relatively new one. Knull made his debut as an unidentified character in “Thor: God of Thunder #6” in 2013, before making a full appearance in “Venom vol. 4 #3” in 2018. This ancient deity, Knull, is a formidable antagonist, and “Venom: The Last Dance” marks his first appearance on the big screen.
Sony clearly intends for this Marvel villain to follow in the footsteps of Thanos, with “Venom 3” serving as Knull’s introduction. “This film introduces Knull, but it merely scratches the surface of his backstory,” said Kelly Marcel, the director of “Venom: The Last Dance,” in an interview with IGN. “Marvel’s most memorable film villains are developed gradually. In this case, Knull is the hidden threat that pushes Eddie and Venom’s partnership to its limits — but their relationship is still the core of this story.”
In simpler terms, don’t anticipate an overwhelming presence of Knull in “Venom: The Last Dance.” Although Knull has made brief appearances in the film’s promotional material, the character has largely remained a mystery. We were even in the dark about the actor playing the role. However, we now know that the actor bringing Knull to life in “Venom: The Last Dance” is a familiar face with ties to both Marvel and the “Venom” series.
Andy Serkis is Knull in Venom 3
Sony Pictures Releasing
The end credits of “Venom: The Last Dance” reveal that Knull is portrayed by Andy Serkis. Serkis, a seasoned actor, is likely a familiar name to genre enthusiasts. He gained fame for his motion capture performance as Gollum in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, which paved the way for similar roles in the rebooted “Planet of the Apes” prequel trilogy. He officially joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the villain Ulysses Klaue in “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Black Panther.” In a unique crossover between Marvel and DC, he also played Alfred in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman.” Notably, Serkis has a direct connection to “Venom” — he directed the sequel “Venom: Let There Be Carnage.”
Kelly Marcel, the director, confirmed the casting to The Hollywood Reporter, stating, “We knew on ‘Venom 2′ that [Serkis] was going to be this [Knull] character, should we have the opportunity to bring the character into this film.” Apparently, he was the only one considered for the role and he accepted immediately. “It felt like coming full circle,” she added, noting Serkis’ role as director of “Venom: Let There Be Carnage.”
Will Knull play a more significant role in future films? That’s undoubtedly what Sony is banking on, but even with Andy Serkis’ impressive acting chops, Knull’s big-screen debut could have been more impactful.
“Venom: The Last Dance” is currently showing in theaters.
FAQs
Who is Knull?
Knull is a relatively new Marvel villain who first made his full appearance in “Venom vol. 4 #3” in 2018. He is an ancient deity and a formidable antagonist.
Who plays Knull in “Venom: The Last Dance”?
Andy Serkis, known for his roles in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and “Planet of the Apes” prequel trilogy, portrays Knull in “Venom: The Last Dance”.
Is “Venom: The Last Dance” the final film in the Venom series?
As of now, “Venom: The Last Dance” is the final installment of Sony’s Marvel-related “Venom” trilogy.
Is Knull the main villain in “Venom: The Last Dance”?
While Knull is introduced in “Venom: The Last Dance”, his story is just beginning and he is not the primary antagonist of the film.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
