D23 has arrived with many new projects, including cinematic updates and a new Marvel project, Werewolf by Night.
While many of the projects have been previously announced, Werewolf by Night is a new title for many.
Here we take a look at the supernatural addition to the MCU.
Who is the Werewolf by Night?
Jack Russell is a character who made his comic book debut in 1971 and appeared in Marvel’s Spotlight # 2.
Jack was born Jacob Russoff in Transylvania, a descendant of Grigori Russoff, who was cursed by Dracula for becoming a werewolf.
The curse lay dormant for generations before Jack’s grandfather used it in a copy of Darkhold.
Similar to the traditional werewolf curse, Gregor and his offspring transform into werewolves during the full moon.
It is also handed down from generation to generation.
Jack Russell moves to America after his father’s death, and it is there that his mother is killed by the Criminal Committee, who learns of her family’s curse.
Angry at her death, Jack turns into a werewolf to avenge his mother’s death.
MCU integration
Since the release of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Marvel Studios has hinted that it’s slowly dipping into the horror genre to some degree.
Ahead of the Doctor Strange sequel, Marvel also teased the addition of Blade, played by Mahershala Ali, at the end of The Eternals.
Both characters are members of the Midnight Sons, a group of superheroes with ties to the mystical and supernatural.
While it may seem farfetched, it’s possible that both characters will bring the supernatural team to the screens.
The Marvel Special
During the D23 event, Werewolf by Night was unveiled as Marvel Studios’ first-ever Christmas special.
The trailer was unveiled on Disney+, where it later received its own page.
The site offers Werewolf by Night as a comedy, but Gael Garcia Bernal, who is playing Jack Russell, said the special will be scary.
“Some people will be scared, even if they think they won’t,” said Bernal.
However, his co-star Laura Donnelly assured fans that Werewolf by Night also carries a lot of heart.
“I love that it has proper heart in it as well,” said Donnelly.
“We’re telling a real horror story but we’re also telling a human, heartfelt story as well, and I love that about it.”
The trailer
The Werewolf by Night trailer is inspired by the classic Universal Monster movies and is shot in black and white.
The trailer opens with a group of people gathered in a villa, with a female voiceover that is very reminiscent of old photos of Vincent Price.
The voiceover reveals that the fighters met to find out which of them were not what they seemed.
The Werewolf by Night trailer also reveals that the fighters have captured an invisible creature that many believe is Marvel’s Man-Thing.
The upcoming Marvel special is the first of its kind and will be directed by Michael Giacchino.
It was written by Peter Cameron and Heather Quinn.
References:
Werewolf by Night: Kevin Feige says special is dark and scary
Werewolf by Night stars tease fans “will be scared” by Marvel special
