Finally, the much-anticipated conclusion of Sony’s Venom trilogy, titled Venom: The Last Dance, has hit the big screen. Following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, this installment brings back Eddie Brock (portrayed by Tom Hardy) along with his gooey companion Venom as they attempt to evade law enforcement and the sinister grasp of Venom’s creator, the malevolent god Knull (voiced by Andy Serkis).
The preceding films in the series have provided a wild ride. Despite the disappointments of titles like Morbius and Madame Web within Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, fans can count on Venom to deliver an outrageous and thrilling adventure.
This trilogy reaches a dramatic and emotional climax in its third installment, hinting at the Lethal Protector’s formidable and dark future. In the wake of Venom: The Last Dance’s release, let’s unpack the storyline and its implications for the broader franchise.
Venom’s Final Sacrifice: Annihilating the Codex for the Greater Good
In Venom: The Last Dance, the symbiote chooses to make the ultimate sacrifice, with promotional materials for Venom 3 suggesting that either Eddie or Venom’s demise is inevitable.
Venom confronts the Xenophages, sacrificing both the alien threats and himself by navigating towards a conveniently available vat of acid. Just before Strickland utilizes his authority to force the acid down upon them, the symbiote pushes Eddie to safety.
In a heart-wrenching moment, Venom shields Eddie from fatality as Strickland obliterates the facility. With a touching farewell, the symbiote’s last words, “Bye for now,”express a hopeful yearning for their reunion even in the face of death.
Understanding the Codex in Venom: Importance and Influence Clarified
Knull’s devious plans hinge on acquiring the Codex, which is generated when a symbiote rescues its host. In the first Venom film, after Riot attacks Eddie, the symbiote bonds to save his life, earning Venom the title of “Lethal Protector,” a concept that plays a significant role in The Last Dance.
Once Venom overcomes the Xenophages with his own sacrifice, it results in the imprisonment of Knull, albeit the exact reasons for the Codex’s importance in Knull’s escape remain ambiguous in the film. This suggests that the Codex may be obliterated despite Knull’s threats to wreak havoc upon the universe.
In Marvel Comics, the Codex is more complex and potentially provides insights. It represents a fragment of the symbiote left within its host even after their bond has ended, essentially acting as a repository of diverse information regarding hosts while also contributing to the symbiotic Hive-mind.
In the comics, Eddie has created his composite symbiote utilizing codices collected by The Maker, an alternate universe villainous version of Reed Richards, who utilized this to reconstruct his universe. These codices serve as a critical force in generating symbiotes and unlocking their secrets alongside other invaluable powers. Knull believes the key to his escape is Venom’s Codex, which could grant him control over the Hive mind.
Eddie Brock’s Future: What Lies Ahead for Venom in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe
Following the climactic battle, Eddie is injured but survives. Upon waking up in the hospital, he discovers that his criminal record has been erased, accompanied by a note of gratitude from “any grateful nation.” The General warns him to keep the events private or risk being thrown into a “cold, dark hole.”
So, what’s in store for him next? The theme of Eddie becoming a father resurfaces in The Last Dance, naturally linking to his son, Dylan Brock, from the comics.
With his life now grounded and his reputation cleansed, it’s hinted that Eddie may pursue this story arc. Unfortunately, this won’t involve his original love interest Anne Weying (played by Michelle Williams), who has moved on to Dan Lewis in Let There Be Carnage.
The ongoing arrangement between Sony and Disney over the Marvel rights raises questions about whether this arc will materialize, although it certainly holds potential. Despite the conclusion of the Venom trilogy, Hardy has refuted rumors regarding a cameo in Spider-Man 4.
The Fate of Knull in Venom: The Last Dance – Conclusion Analyzed
Kelly Marcel, the director of Venom: The Last Dance, discussed Knull’s unexpectedly brief role before the film’s release. The takeaway is clear; audiences can expect to see this terrifying antagonist again in future Sony films:
“We’re entering spoiler territory now. We hope some of the enjoyment from this movie comes from the suspense, but trust us, Knull is tremendously important to the fans. Just as we laid the groundwork for Venom, we aspire to do the same for Knull. The King in Black is far too formidable for just a one-time appearance.”
How this will unfold remains uncertain. There’s a possibility Knull could cross into the MCU since he can traverse various universes. However, it’s noteworthy that Marcel has also discussed continuing life within the symbiote franchise even after Venom’s fate is determined. Hence, the King in Black storyline could occur solely within Sony’s cinematic universe.
In the comics, the King in Black crossover was an expansive event featuring appearances from renowned groups like the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and the Avengers. As Knull launches an invasion against Earth, annihilating superheroes, Venom and Spider-Man are pivotal players. While any film adaptation might significantly differ, the concept is undeniably captivating.
Understanding the Post-Credits Scenes of Venom: The Last Dance – What Lies Ahead?
Venom: The Last Dance features two post-credit scenes. The first revisits Knull’s confinement as he laments his loss:
“Your champion has fallen. The planets shall be mine. The King in Black has awakened. I will obliterate your world, and all shall burn as you watch.”
With Kelly Marcel confirming more of Knull’s presence in the pipeline, it seems this formidable villain may soon emerge once again. If Sony executes this correctly, the King in Black could result in an Avengers-level crossover, potentially involving Venom’s return or even Spider-Man integrated into their expanded universe.
Per Marvel lore, Knull is an ancient foe of the Celestials, a group that has made significant appearances within the MCU. According to Marvel’s canon, he seeks an “ideal kingdom of void,” and prior to his betrayal and imprisonment, commanded an army of symbiotes.
The second post-credit scene takes place in the shattered area of Area 51 after Strickland’s explosion. A bartender, portrayed by Cristo Fernández, enters amidst the chaos, desperately shouting “Hola?” and seeking assistance. A cockroach comes into focus, reminiscent of Dr. Payne’s claim that only cockroaches could survive the government-sanctioned demolitions of Area 51.
Notably, the cockroach approaches the device where Strickland disposed of the Venom symbiote fragment. As sparks fly, it indicates that the broken device has released the symbiote. This suggests the fragment’s survival, raising the tantalizing question: could it find a new host?
If Tom Hardy doesn’t reprise his role post-Venom: The Last Dance, it’s possible Venom could bond with someone else. In the comics, characters such as Peter Parker, Anne Weying, and Flash Thompson have all served as hosts for Venom, providing Sony with multiple avenues for exploration even without Hardy.
Details on Venom: The Last Dance
Venom: The Last Dance is an upcoming superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Venom, produced by Columbia Pictures.
Distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing, it marks the sixth entry in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe and serves as a sequel to Venom (2018) and Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021).
The film is penned, co-produced, and directed by Kelly Marcel, who makes her directorial debut, utilizing a story she collaboratively developed with Tom Hardy, who reprises his roles as Eddie Brock and Venom while also co-producing the project.
The release date in the United States is slated for October 25, 2024.
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