As a gamer who’s spent countless hours immersed in the Marvel Universe, I can’t help but feel a deep connection with Rex Strickland, the soldier-turned-symbiote host from Venom: The Last Dance. His comic book history is nothing short of remarkable, and it’s clear that his life experiences have shaped him into a truly complex character.
In Venom 3, Rex Strickland is among several characters tasked with tracking down Eddie Brock and Venom. However, his storyline in the movie only hints at the richer depth of his comic book background. (Be aware: spoilers follow!)
In “Venom: The Final Showdown,” Eddie and his symbiote find themselves hunted by Knull, a mysterious figure, his powerful weapon known as the Xenophage, a covert science squad stationed at Area 51, and the formidable military commander Rex Strickland.
Chiwetel Ejiofor portrays the character Rex Strickland, a soldier who is inquisitive, morally strict, and grows increasingly wary and vigilant as Dr. Payne’s symbiote research starts to spiral out of control.
In the latest film, Strickland may be a secondary character, but his comedic background contrasts sharply. Instead, his past involving wars and extraterrestrial beings paints him as an incredibly heart-rending figure.
Rex Strickland fought in the Vietnam War
When Rex Strickland was just 19 years old, he served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. While injured, he was recruited by Nick Fury for a top-secret symbiote super-soldier project.
In the year 1966, Strickland came close to losing his life due to an act of selflessness, as he decided to put his team’s safety above his own. After receiving gunshot wounds and being doused with napalm, he was transported to a makeshift hospital located in a nearby field.
While recuperating, Nick Fury proposed to Strickland the opportunity of transforming into a super-soldier. This transformation required him to connect with an ancient, symbiotic material that S.H.I.E.L.D had discovered. Strickland agreed, and after bonding, he and his symbiote were assigned the code name ‘Tyrannosaurus’.
Upon Strickland’s return to the field with his fresh alliance (including super-soldiers), they were assigned to dismantle a Viet Cong military storehouse. Unfortunately, they couldn’t manage their symbiotes, leading to Strickland and his team unconscious after their counterparts carried out heinous acts.
For the remainder of their assignments, Strickland frequently lost consciousness only to regain it in a chilling scene filled with disfigured and partially consumed corpses. Throughout this time, his symbiote would relentlessly screech at him.
Over time, it was decided to send a fake Nick Fury and Wolverine (Logan) to capture Strickland and his group. However, Strickland’s symbiote, resembling a T-rex, separated from him. Strickland alerted them both, initiating a fierce fight. The battle concluded with the symbiote reattaching itself to Strickland, causing him to regret his actions. In the chaos, an explosion erupted when the fake Nick Fury detonated, ultimately claiming Strickland’s life.
Strickland set up his own Avengers team (kind of)
Following Strickland’s demise in Vietnam, his consciousness became a codex, preserved within the collective intelligence of the Symbiote Hive-Mind.
The T-rex-like symbiote seized control of his character and body, enabling it to impersonate him. During this period, he formed an alliance with Venom and eventually eliminated the symbiote dragon Grendel, albeit not without coming perilously close to self-destruction in an explosion.
Strickland and Tyrannosaurus ultimately found themselves united within the afterlife of symbiotes, joining forces to form a group consisting of both symbiotes and their respective hosts. Their mission was to prevent Knull from being revived, and in this endeavor, Strickland rescued and enlisted the mind of Eddie Brock.
In the heat of my gaming session, I stumbled upon the legendary God Hive. However, things took a turn for the worse when Flash Thompson’s digital tome possessed the T-Rex, transforming it into his avatar. This left poor Eddie trapped within the pulsating void, while it seemed as though Strickland’s codex was annihilated in the process.
He could return
Despite the assumption that Venom 3 marked the end of Venom and Eddie Brock’s adventures, there’s a strong possibility that character Rex Strickland might reappear in upcoming symbiote film projects.
Could we possibly consider the possibility that the way has been paved for Knull’s return, so why not Strickland as well? In the finale of Venom 3, Strickland detonates a grenade to aid in the defeat of the Xenophage (alongside Venom), but this doesn’t necessarily imply his story is over.
As a gaming enthusiast, it’s not hard to imagine that Strickland might have more scenes to star in given his comic book resurrection. Could we be in for a prequel set during the Vietnam War with symbiotes taking center stage? Who knows! But one thing is certain: director Kelly Marcel has hinted at more Venom movies on the horizon.
Marcel stated [via Variety], “Eddie and Venom’s storyline concludes here, but remember, there are numerous symbiote tales in our lore. There are many paths to explore, and perhaps there are some Easter eggs hidden in this instalment that could kickstart the next chapter.
Venom: The Last Dance is in theaters now.
As a dedicated gamer, I’m always on the hunt for more! Dive deeper into the secrets of Venom 3’s post-credit scene. Don’t forget to unearth all the hidden Venom 3 Easter eggs too. And, of course, let’s not forget to keep an eye on which Marvel movies are coming up next!
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2024-10-26 17:48