Top 15 Actors Perfect for the Role of Knull in the MCU
Knull, the sinister god of the symbiotes, is a powerful and terrifying villain in Marvel Comics. His dark, chaotic nature and cosmic presence make him a unique challenge for any actor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Casting Knull requires someone who can embody his ancient evil, physical intensity, and commanding presence. The right actor must balance menace with depth to bring this primordial deity to life.
With Knull confirmed as the main antagonist in ‘Venom: The Last Dance’, his potential crossover into the MCU is exciting. The actor chosen needs to capture his hatred for the Celestials and his destructive thirst for power. Here are 15 actors who could nail the role of Knull, each bringing their own flair to this iconic villain.
Cillian Murphy
Cillian Murphy’s piercing blue eyes and intense screen presence make him a strong candidate for Knull. His ability to portray chilling villains, like Scarecrow in ‘The Dark Knight’ trilogy, shows he can handle a dark, calculating character. Murphy’s subtle yet commanding performances would bring depth to Knull’s ancient, malevolent nature.
His work in ‘Peaky Blinders’ proves he can dominate scenes with quiet menace. Murphy could portray Knull as a god who’s both terrifyingly calm and explosively violent, perfectly capturing the symbiote creator’s duality.
Tom Hardy
Tom Hardy already plays Eddie Brock in the ‘Venom’ series, but he could take on Knull as a dual role. His physicality and gritty intensity make him ideal for the god of darkness. Hardy’s ability to transform his voice and body, as seen in ‘Bane’ or ‘Bronson’, would create a distinct and terrifying Knull.
Hardy’s familiarity with the symbiote world gives him an edge in understanding Knull’s motivations. His raw energy and charisma could make Knull a standout villain in the MCU.
Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves’ intense yet understated style makes him a great fit for Knull. His roles in ‘-John Wick’ and ‘The Matrix’ show he can handle action-heavy, commanding characters. Reeves’ ability to convey quiet menace would suit Knull’s ancient, brooding evil.
His work in ‘Constantine’ proves he can tackle supernatural roles with gravitas. Reeves could bring a stoic, terrifying energy to Knull, making him a unique MCU villain.
Daniel Day-Lewis
Daniel Day-Lewis’ transformative performances make him a bold choice for Knull. His roles in ‘There Will Be Blood’ and ‘Gangs of New York’ show he can play intense, larger-than-life villains. Day-Lewis’ methodical approach would bring depth to Knull’s cosmic rage.
His ability to fully embody characters, as seen in ‘Lincoln’, could make Knull both terrifying and complex. Day-Lewis would deliver a haunting, unforgettable performance in the MCU.
Willem Dafoe
Willem Dafoe’s iconic portrayal of Green Goblin in ‘Spider-Man’ shows he can handle unhinged villains. His wild energy and intense expressions would make Knull a memorable menace. Dafoe’s experience with dark, chaotic roles fits the symbiote god’s destructive personality.
His work in ‘The Lighthouse’ and ‘Shadow of the Vampire’ highlights his ability to play unsettling, larger-than-life characters. Dafoe could make Knull both terrifying and captivating on screen.
Jake Gyllenhaal
Jake Gyllenhaal’s versatility makes him a great fit for Knull. His chilling performance as Mysterio in ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ showed he can play cunning villains. Gyllenhaal’s ability to shift from charming to menacing would capture Knull’s predatory nature.
His roles in ‘Nightcrawler’ and ‘Prisoners’ prove he can embody dark, intense characters. Gyllenhaal could bring a unique blend of charisma and cruelty to Knull, making him a standout MCU villain.
Gary Oldman
Gary Oldman’s chameleon-like ability to transform makes him perfect for Knull. His roles as Dracula in ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’ and Sirius Black in ‘Harry Potter’ show he can handle dark, complex characters. Oldman’s commanding presence would fit Knull’s godlike aura.
His work in ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ highlights his ability to play calculating, intense figures. Oldman could bring a layered, menacing depth to Knull in the MCU.
Ralph Fiennes
Ralph Fiennes’ chilling performances make him an excellent choice for Knull. His role as Voldemort in the ‘Harry Potter’ series shows he can play terrifying, otherworldly villains. Fiennes’ ability to convey cold menace would suit Knull’s ancient evil.
His work in ‘Schindler’s List’ and ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ proves his range and intensity. Fiennes could make Knull a haunting, unforgettable presence in the MCU.
Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington’s gravitas and intensity make him a bold choice for Knull. His commanding performances in ‘Training Day’ and ‘Man on Fire’ show he can play ruthless, powerful characters. Washington’s ability to dominate scenes would fit Knull’s godlike presence.
His emotional depth, seen in ‘Malcolm X’ and ‘The Equalizer’, could add layers to Knull’s ancient motivations. Washington would bring a unique, grounded menace to the role.
Viggo Mortensen
Viggo Mortensen’s rugged intensity and versatility make him a strong pick for Knull. His roles in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Eastern Promises’ show he can handle physically demanding, complex characters. Mortensen’s quiet menace would suit Knull’s dark, cosmic nature.
His work in ‘A History of Violence’ proves he can play dangerous, layered villains. Mortensen could bring a gritty, terrifying edge to Knull in the MCU.
Christoph Waltz
Christoph Waltz’s knack for playing arrogant, sadistic villains makes him ideal for Knull. His roles in ‘Inglourious Basterds’ and ‘Spectre’ show he can portray chilling, calculating characters. Waltz’s ability to mix charm with menace would fit Knull’s godlike arrogance.
His volatile performances, like in ‘Big Eyes’, highlight his ability to portray unpredictable villains. Waltz could bring a sophisticated yet terrifying edge to Knull in the MCU.
Jared Leto
Jared Leto’s transformative roles make him a strong contender for Knull. His performance as Morbius in ‘Morbius’ shows he can handle dark, comic-book characters. Leto’s physicality and intense method acting would bring Knull’s chaotic energy to life.
His work in ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ and ‘Requiem for a Dream’ proves he can embody complex, unsettling characters. Leto could make Knull a visually striking and emotionally intense villain.
Benicio Del Toro
Benicio Del Toro’s brooding intensity makes him a great fit for Knull. His roles in ‘Sicario’ and ‘No Country for Old Men’ show he can play dark, menacing characters. Del Toro’s ability to convey quiet danger would suit Knull’s ancient, destructive nature.
His work in ‘The Wolfman’ proves he can handle otherworldly, intense roles. Del Toro could bring a raw, terrifying energy to Knull in the MCU.
Andy Serkis
Andy Serkis is confirmed to play Knull in ‘Venom: The Last Dance’, making him a natural choice for the MCU. His motion-capture expertise, seen in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ as Gollum, would bring Knull’s otherworldly form to life. Serkis’ intense performances make him ideal for the symbiote god.
His directorial work on ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ shows his deep understanding of the symbiote world. Serkis could deliver a Knull that’s both terrifying and visually spectacular.
Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling’s intense and versatile performances make him a top choice for Knull. His roles in ‘Drive’ and ‘Blade Runner 2049’ show he can play brooding, commanding characters. Gosling’s ability to convey quiet menace and emotional depth would suit Knull’s ancient evil.
His work in ‘The Place Beyond the Pines’ highlights his ability to portray complex, dangerous figures. Gosling could make Knull a dynamic and unforgettable MCU villain.
Which actor do you think would dominate as Knull in the MCU? Share your pick in the comments!