“He’s the literal GOAT of comics right now”: Sony Has Done Many Things Wrong But Adapting Donny Cates’ Venom Storyline For Tom Hardy’s Franchise Has Won Everyone’s Heart

Starting with Tom Hardy’s 2018 portrayal of Venom, Sony seems to have boldly proclaimed that Spider-Man isn’t necessary to spin a thrilling yarn about characters from the webslinger’s expansive universe. And credit where it’s due: the studio has recently managed to knock it out of the park by adapting Donny Cates’ Venom storyline for Hardy’s franchise, winning over even the harshest of critics. 

Tom Hardy in Venom | Credit: Sony Pictures

So, have you seen the recent trailer of Venom 3? Did it have you biting your nails or just chuckling at the anticipation? Because Knull, the eldritch god of all symbiotes and quite the heavyweight in Marvel Comics, is finally making his live-action debut in Venom: The Last Dance. This idea alone has tongues wagging and fans buzzing with praises. 

Fans React: Knull’s Big Screen Debut in Tom Hardy’s Venom 3

Sony’s Venom: The Last Dance promises to be the cherry on top of Tom Hardy’s symbiotic saga, as Knull, the King in Black, is set to make his live-action debut in a showdown. And it’s sure to knock everyone’s socks off.

So, who exactly is Knull?

Ryan Stegman and Donny Cates joined forces to conjure this formidable villain. He first stormed onto the scene in Venom Vol. 4 #3 in 2018, where he was introduced as the God of the Symbiotes—a primordial deity endowed with an array of terrifying powers and abilities. His arrival marked him as one of Marvel Comics’ most significant and fearsome antagonists.

Knull | Credit: Marvel Comics

The new trailer gives us just a fleeting glance of Knull, but it’s enough to stir up a storm of excitement among fans. The social media reactions are as electric as a live wire. Let’s check out some of the comments: 

In the trailer, Knull ominously declares, “As long as Venom lives, everything will end”. This chilling line suggests that his vendetta is intensely personal, with his ambitions intricately tied to Venom’s fate. The tantalizing implication is that if the latter is defeated or surrendered, Knull might choose to spare Earth, leaving it unharmed.

Sony’s Superhero Misadventures: Box Office Blunders 

Sony has certainly had its share of cinematic triumphs, but not every venture into the superhero realm has been a slam dunk. Two prime examples of their miss-hits are Morbius and Madame Web—films that seemed promising but ultimately didn’t quite make the grade.

Let’s start with Morbius. The film, featuring Jared Leto as Dr. Michael Morbius, promised a dark and supernatural twist on the Marvel universe. But the 2022 flick had a lukewarm reception. Grossing about $163 million worldwide against a $75 million budget, Morbius was considered a letdown.

Dakota Johnson in Madame Web | Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing

Then came Madame Web, another ambitious foray into Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. Starring Dakota Johnson as the titular clairvoyant, the film aimed to explore alternate dimensions and multiverse shenanigans—a concept that had been capturing audiences’ imaginations elsewhere. Unfortunately, the film didn’t quite hit the jackpot; earning around $100 million globally (Box Office Mojo).

While Sony has had its fair share of missteps, they’ve shown they’re not throwing in the towel. The studio has hit a high note by bringing Donny Cates’ Knull to life for Tom Hardy’s Venom 3, a move that has won over both fans and critics. In a fun twist, Ryan Stegman, co-creator of Knull, took to X to share his surprise and amusement about the character’s inclusion in the upcoming film.

Stegman admitted that the final trailer was the first he’d heard of Knull’s involvement and humorously quipped that he now expects to “finally be able to afford that lazy river moat around [his] house”.

With the latest Venom installment promising to be a major hit, it looks like Sony might be on track to turn things around. Hardy returns as Eddie Brock and his symbiotic alter ego (Venom), joined by a stellar cast including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans, Peggy Lu, Alanna Ubach, and Stephen Graham.

Venom: The Last Dance is scheduled to release on October 25, 2024.