This text incorporates minor spoilers for “Venom: The Final Dance.”

As we inched nearer to the discharge date for “Venom: The Final Dance,” supposedly the ultimate movie in Sony’s Marvel-adjacent “Venom” trilogy, the advertising started to play up an look by a villainous character named Knull. I am solely an off-the-cuff comedian ebook reader (and barely that), so I need to confess I’ve by no means heard of this character till about two or three weeks in the past. To me, the title Knull means nothing. However because it seems, Knull is an established Marvel villain, though he hasn’t truly been round very lengthy. Knull first appeared as an unidentified character within the pages of “Thor: God of Thunder #6” in 2013 earlier than making his first full look in “Venom vol. 4 #3” in 2018. An historical deity, Knull is a really highly effective dangerous man, and “Venom: The Final Dance” marks his first massive display screen look. 

It is clear that Sony desires this Marvel baddie to be the subsequent Thanos, and “Venom 3” will function the character’s introduction. “This movie introduces Knull, but it surely simply touches the beginnings of his story,” “Venom: The Final Dance” director Kelly Marcel informed IGN. “Marvel’s biggest movie villains are developed over time. Right here, Knull is the risk lurking behind the hazard that exams absolutely the limits of Eddie and Venom’s partnership — but it surely’s their relationship that is still the center of this story.” 

In different phrases, do not count on an excessive amount of Knull in “Venom: The Final Dance.” Whereas Knull has briefly appeared in some advertising for the film, the character has largely been shrouded in secrecy. We did not even know the title of the performer portraying the half. However we now know who’s taking part in Knull in “Venom: The Final Dance,” and it is a acquainted actor who has a historical past with each Marvel and the “Venom” franchise.

As the top credit for “Venom: The Final Dance” affirm, Knull is performed by Andy Serkis. Serkis is a well-established performer who will little doubt be acquainted to most style followers. He got here to prominence for his movement seize performing as Gollum in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, and parlayed that into movement seize performing within the rebooted “Planet of the Apes” prequel trilogy. He formally joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe by taking part in villain Ulysses Klaue in “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Black Panther.” And in a little bit of Marvel/DC cross-pollination, he additionally performed Alfred in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman.” However after all, Serkis additionally has a direct connection to “Venom” — he directed the sequel “Venom: Let There Be Carnage.” 

Director Kelly Marcel confirmed the casting and informed The Hollywood Reporter, “We knew on ‘Venom 2’ that [Serkis] was going to be this [Knull] character, ought to we be capable of convey the character into this film.” He was apparently the one individual requested in regards to the function and instantly agreed. “It felt like a full circle in a method,” she continued, as Serkis famously directed “Venom: Let There Be Carnage.” 

Will Knull have a much bigger half to play in future motion pictures? I am certain that is what Sony is hoping for, however I’ve to say, regardless that Andy Serkis is a proficient performer, Knull’s big-screen debut may actually have been larger.

“Venom: The Final Dance” is now in theaters.