Venom 3 is one of the most anticipated films of 2024, and the release of the final trailer for Venom: The Last Dance has only amplified the excitement. The reason? The potential introduction of one of Marvel’s most dangerous villains—Knull.
While it’s still uncertain how significant Knull’s role will be in Venom 3, his arrival hints at something much bigger, potentially carrying over to Spider-Man 4. So, could Knull be the next big villain for Spidey? Let’s dive into what we know.
The New Villain Set to Shake Up Venom 3 & Possibly Spider-Man 4—Knull
First, Who Exactly Is Knull in Marvel?
Knull, also known as the “King in Black,” made his comic book debut in Venom Vol. 4 #3 in 2018. A cosmic entity created to counterbalance the Beyonders, Knull instead turned against his duty and launched a war against the Celestials, seeking to plunge the universe into the darkness from which he originated.
Knull’s connection to the Symbiotes runs deep—he forged the first Symbiote, the Necrosword, before it was stolen. Furious, he created an army of Symbiote dragons that ravaged entire worlds. However, when Knull tried to conquer Earth, Thor stepped in, destroying one of Knull’s dragons, fracturing his army into individual Symbiotes. This event led to the formation of the Klyntar, who eventually rebelled against Knull. Defeated, Knull was imprisoned in a dormant state within the Klyntar’s hive on their homeworld for millennia.
Knull’s Role in Venom 3 Could Spark a Major Storyline
Knull’s rumored appearance in Venom 3 is likely just the beginning of a much larger storyline. Venom 3 will wrap up Sony’s standalone Venom trilogy, but it’s doubtful this will be the last time we see Venom or Eddie Brock. With Knull’s introduction, there’s speculation that the group hunting Venom and Eddie in the trailers could be tied to the Cult of Knull, which plays a pivotal role in the King in Black comic storyline.
The final Venom: The Last Dance trailer shows not only Venom but multiple Symbiotes held captive. In one scene, we see Symbiotes crashing onto Earth. This may allude to the King in Black arc, where Knull is released from his prison by the Cult of Knull and uses the Symbiotes to seize control of Earth. The trailer’s line—”These Symbiotes didn’t just crash here, they were sent”—is a clear nod to Knull’s influence, hinting that this storyline is already in motion.
Could Knull Be the Villain in Spider-Man 4?
With Venom 3 marking the end of Sony’s independent Venom franchise, there’s a strong chance the character will cross over into the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). If Knull is indeed introduced in Venom 3, this could set him up as the main antagonist in Spider-Man 4.
There’s already plenty of evidence pointing to this crossover. Marvel’s ever-expanding universe thrives on interconnected storylines, and Knull’s arrival would be the perfect way to unite Venom and Spider-Man in a shared battle against a common enemy. Given Knull’s ability to control all Symbiotes, it’s not far-fetched to imagine a scenario where he threatens not just Eddie Brock, but Peter Parker too.
With Venom 3 setting the stage, we could see Knull take on the role of Spider-Man’s next big villain, bringing a massive, universe-spanning storyline to life.
Stay tuned for Venom 3, and keep an eye out for Knull’s potential impact on Spider-Man 4. The King in Black might just be Spider-Man’s toughest challenge yet.
