‘Venom 3’ Director Confirms Knull Isn’t the Main Villain: Movie Marks ‘Just the Beginning’ for His Story

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As a longtime comic book enthusiast and film critic, I find it truly exhilarating to see how Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures are expanding the Venom universe with “The Last Dance.” The introduction of Knull, the ominous King in Black, is not just a one-off event but rather a foundation for future conflicts, much like how Loki was teased in the original Iron Man.

In ‘Venom: The Last Dance’, the Marvel villain Knull makes his big screen debut, although he won’t be the main antagonist in this final installment. As stated by director and co-writer Kelly Marcel to IGN via email, “One movie isn’t enough to fully portray Knull.

Although Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock film series may conclude with this installment (details to follow), audiences can anticipate that this sequel will establish the foundation for future appearances of the character Knull. As stated by Marcel, Knull was part of the plan from the beginning, but the priority was on Venom and Eddie’s storyline first. This is merely the start for Knull’s narrative.

Marcel hinted, “Some of the fun lies in not knowing where the plot will unfold next. Fans are deeply invested in Knull, and similar to how we carefully crafted Venom, we’re taking our time to develop him as well. The King in Black is a character of such grand scale that he warrants more than just one movie.

She highlighted that ‘This film serves as an introduction for Knull, yet his tale has only begun. The most compelling Marvel antagonists require development, and Knull is instrumental in the dangers confronting Eddie and Venom – however, their relationship lies at the core of the storyline.’

Here’s the full interview:

In this instance, the bond between Eddie Brock and Venom has developed over a significant period. By now, they have become quite familiar with each other.

As a gamer, I find myself on the run with Eddie and Venom in this flick, light years away from the familiar streets of San Francisco and everyone we’ve ever called friend. We’re hunted relentlessly by numerous enemies, leaving us as the last line of defense against their onslaught.

As a fervent admirer, here’s my spin: In the upcoming film “The Last Dance,” it seems that Chiwetel Ejiofor and Juno Temple’s characters are deeply entrenched within the military-scientific community. Given the dramatic symbiote encounters we’ve witnessed in the last two Venom installments, it’s safe to assume they’re well aware of these extraordinary beings. So, could you enlighten us about their objectives in this new storyline?

In the universe where symbiotes exist, it’s no shock to the characters involved and the military science complex that houses them contributes to why Eddie and Venom are on the run. Meanwhile, Chiwetel and Juno’s characters may have different objectives, but they too find themselves needing to cooperate for the greater good, similar to Eddie and Venom.

In the sequel, it seems Anne Weying is not present. Was there talk about having her return or has Eddie’s character found a new phase without her? Or perhaps Eddie has come to terms with the idea that Venom might be more like his one true love (a playful suggestion)?

Marcel: In a somewhat playful but truthful manner, I should mention that this tale primarily revolves around Eddie and Venom, with an emphasis on the complexity of their bond.

Question: Could you comment on the reappearance of Mulligan, considering the conclusion of “Let There Be Carnage”?

Marcel: Is Mulligan coming back alone, or is he arriving with an associate? You’ll discover that symbiotes possess extraordinary skills.

ASSISTANT: Congratulations on your first time directing a feature film! While you’ve penned and produced the previous Venom movies, how tough was it to handle such an effects-heavy production for the first time as a director?

Marcel: Having been part of the initial two films, I was well-versed with the intricate special effects and visual effects (VFX) needed for such productions. It was luck that we had Chris Corbould leading our SFX team. I aimed to execute as much footage in real life as I could; there was one scene where Tom Hardy and his stunt crew spent a fortnight submerged in a specially constructed rapids tank, which Chris designed.

In this film, the sound effects are remarkably amazing, and Chris’ crew, along with the skillful direction of our backup director, Brian Smrz, elevated it to heights I never fathomed while scripting it.

In our movie, the exceptional VFX team, headed by John Moffatt and Aharon Bourland, truly excelled. Not only did they surpass expectations, but they introduced a diverse range of creatures that outnumber those in the preceding films. What made this particularly significant for me was their ability to infuse each creature with unique personality and character.

Embracing the challenge head-on, I found myself pushed to my limits, but together with the dedicated teams by my side, we brought the shared vision to fruition. We stood shoulder to shoulder, overcoming each hurdle as a united front.

In a more conversational style: How challenging was it, given that Venom’s main antagonist, Carnage, is well-known and respected, to develop a new villain for the story after the previous film addressed their rivalry?

Marcel: Venom’s nemesis, Carnage, was truly formidable, a classic adversary for sure. But comics are brimming with villains. To elevate the danger in this film, we decided to go all out and introduce an even greater menace. This new threat is not just a challenge for Eddie and Venom, but for our entire world.

In a more casual style: Hey there! How about you tell me when you first learned about the character Knull, and around when you started brainstorming ways to incorporate him into the Marvel cinematic universe, given that he played a significant role in revitalizing Venom’s mythology back in 2018?

Marcel: We’ve kept tabs on Knull all along, but decided it was crucial to establish Venom’s character and his bond with Eddie first, before bringing in Knull. This is merely the start of Knull’s story.

Is Knull the primary antagonist in the movie, or does his role in “The Last Dance” serve as a setup for future conflicts instead of being the main villain? If it’s the latter, did you find that he was too significant to be used just once as a threat?

Marcel: We’ve entered a zone where surprises can ruin the movie experience, but let me assure you, given the enthusiasm of fans for Knull, just as we set up Venom’s story, we aim to establish the same for Knull. The King in Black is far too formidable to make a single appearance.

In this movie, we get a glimpse into the origins of the character Knull, however, his full story is yet to be unfolded. Marvel’s most formidable villains are typically built up over multiple films. Here, Knull serves as the menacing force challenging Eddie and Venom’s bond to its breaking point; nevertheless, it’s their unique partnership that forms the core of this tale.

Question: We already knew The Last Dance was the final Venom movie. Tom Hardy also mentioned it would be his last portrayal of the character. Was this decision made by Sony due to the events in the film, or did something within the storyline prompt this choice?

Marcel: Right from the start, Tom and I planned that the Eddie/Venom saga would span across three instalments, culminating in the third movie, a fact the film will unveil as to why.

If this really is Tom’s last Venom film, then why introduce a significant character like Knull with such potential consequences?

In case the audience is aware, there’s a vast array of symbiote tales yet untold – the cosmos is immense and intricate, and a single film would barely scratch the surface of Knull’s story. Beyond this trilogy, there are numerous narratives waiting to be uncovered – it appears that a divine entity is on its way.

Is it possible to rephrase this sentence in a simpler and more natural way? Here’s one attempt:

Marcel: Actors often play diverse Marvel characters in multiple movies, and that’s the case here too. The finest actors were chosen for their roles, and Rhys is no exception – he takes on a fresh, exciting, and significant character. I can’t wait to see the audience’s reaction to his outstanding performance!

Comic Book Creator Donny Cates shared on Twitter that he was granted access to read the script for The Last Dance by Sony. Did he and co-creator Ryan Stegman have any involvement in this film, and if so, what influence did they have on Knull’s portrayal? They’ve expressed a desire on social media to be compensated for his appearance as they helped create the character.

Marcel: The books by David, Todd, Donny, and Ryan on Venom have consistently offered us exciting elements. Tom has been a big fan of Donny and Ryan since the beginning, even talking to Donny as early as Venom issue 1. Both Tom and I were eager for their introduction of Knull, considering it a crucial aspect to delve into. Donny and Ryan maintain an advisory role with Sony. (Paraphrased)

Source: IGN

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2024-10-15 10:14