Among the speculated storylines for Spider-Man 4, Knull’s potential role as the main villain has garnered significant attention. Marvel and Sony are rumored to be shifting away from the original street-level plot with villains like Aaron Davis’ Prowler and MacDonald Gargan’s Scorpion, opting for a multiversal threat led by the King in Black instead.
Knull rumored to be Spider-Man 4 villain ahead of the Prowler and Scorpion
Following the setup by Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man 4 was initially believed to be a grounded movie compared to the multiversal scale of the last one. Heroes such as Daredevil and Miles Morales were thought to team up against grounded villains such as Maggia, Mister Negative, Kingpin, or even Spencer Smythe.
According to Cosmic Circus‘ Alex Perez, they were all considered. But, now Venom 3’s Knull is rumored to be Spider-Man 4’s main villain instead, overshadowing the previously considered characters such as Davis’ Prowler and Scorpion. After confirming Knull’s role in Venom: The Last Dance, Perez notes that Sony and Marvel are exploring further plans for Knull, potentially positioning him as a central antagonist in Destin Daniel Cretton’s next MCU Spider-Man film.
The street-level villains’ plan is said to be saved for follow-up sequels of Spider-Man 4. But, since these reports are unofficial, fans should temper their expectations until Marvel confirms the details. With the film expected to begin production in 2025, the studio still has some time to determine if Knull will be the final choice for the film’s villain as they finalize the story’s direction.
If Perez’s sources prove accurate, more information about Spider-Man 4’s plot and Knull’s involvement should emerge in the coming months, providing greater insight into the next phase of the Spider-Man franchise.
Tom Holland will reprise his role as Peter Parker in Spider-Man 4, with filming set to begin early next year considering a potential release slot for July 2026.
