In a twist of the normal Marvel formula, Marvel Studios has announced Werewolf by Night, a truly unique and interesting entry into the expanding MCU. Werewolf by Night promises to be something different, thanks to its black and white visuals, an homage to early 20th-century horror, and a vision from Michael Giacchino.
The character of Werewolf by Night has a long-running history in Marvel Comics, and one that fans of old and new are eager to see adapted into the MCU in its special way. There are plenty of things to know about the character and the mythos, and the trailer for Werewolf by Night certainly adds its spin to the tale already.
8 Jack Russell
Not to be confused with the dog breed, Jack Russell is the victim of the werewolf curse in Marvel Comics. The night before Jack Russell’s 18th birthday, on the first night of the full moon, Jack’s curse came into an inheritance, and he became a dreaded werewolf. This came from the longstanding curse of Jack Russell’s family, originating from the Russoff name, which came from Transylvanian barons and scholars.
Jack Russell has since been the most famed werewolf in Marvel Comics and has come head-to-head with the likes of Spider-Man, and other iconic Marvel characters. The Disney Plus feature will surely be an interesting take on the character, and truly expand the mythos into live-action, with a good amount of frights and werewolf action.
7 Moon Knight’s Return?
Even though Disney Plus and the MCU received Moon Knight before Werewolf by Night, it was the latter character that appeared first in Marvel. Werewolf by Night had a long-running set of comics, with Moon Knight making his debut as a character in Werewolf by Night issue #32. Here, Moon Knight was an antagonist, who was hellbent on hunting Werewolf by Night.
This wouldn’t be the last time the characters met, as they have had a longstanding feud and rocky relationship throughout the comics. It would be extremely interesting and a lot of fun to see Oscar Isaac return as Moon Knight for the Disney Plus special of Werewolf by Night.
6 Elsa Bloodstone
A character to feature prominently in the Werewolf by Night comics is Elsa Bloodstone. This character also made a brief appearance in the trailer for the Disney Plus feature, but if it’s the same Elsa Bloodstone, then fans are in for a treat. This character is like Van Helsing’s character, as Elsa resumes her family’s mantel of hunting and fighting monsters.
Elsa Bloodstone resumes her father’s legacy, by fighting the monsters that plague the Marvel universe. She also has a choker, which grants her superhuman strength, speed, and regenerative abilities. This makes Elsa a true threat to monsters, as her power will prevent most forms of physical harm.
5 Friend Of Morbius
Comics are the home to the weird and wonderful, and Werewolf by Night follows that trend greatly. Each comic in the Marvel Universe tends to have a team-up that seems random but somehow works. One set of characters that seem to have an interesting bond is Morbius and Werewolf by Night. The two have worked together before, with Morbius even promising to create a cure for Jack Russell from Spider-Man’s blood.
It would be greatly interesting to see the MCU lean into the monster side of their universe, but considering Sony owns the rights to Morbius, it seems as if the character will remain in the Sony universe, as well as the result of many “Morbin’ time” memes.
4 The Existence Of Dracula
As if the Marvel Universe could not be any more strange, the introduction of Werewolf by Night all but confirms the existence of vampires, and Dracula himself. Dracula appears in a few Marvel comics but is noted for being responsible for Werewolf by Night’s prime existence.
Jack Russell has his great ancestors to thank for his werewolf curse, as Baron Grigori Russoff was bitten by a female werewolf after an attempt to stake Dracula through the heart. Being bitten by a werewolf begins the curse of Lycanthropy that audiences see in Werewolf by Night.
3 The Midnight Sons
Thanks to Doctor Strange, nine beings that had ties to the occult ended up in a mystical team, like the Avengers, but each with their magical abilities. The members of the Midnight Sons could be random and vary from comic to comic, but a usual character involved in the group is Werewolf by Night.
The fact that Werewolf by Night could share a hero team with Doctor Strange paves the way for more team-up movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With the Midnight Sons, audiences would see a heavy lean into the occult side of the Marvel Universe, where Werewolf by Night would seem right at home.
2 The Time Variance Authority
Ties to the TVA in the Marvel Comics are rather loose when it comes to Werewolf by Night, but what is clear, is that the Disney Plus trailer all but confirms the Time Variance Authority meddling with Werewolf by Night. The characters seen in the trailer have the appearance from Loki Season 1, complete with their armor and sci-fi batons. However, their fate seems rather bloody against the titular werewolf character.
It is unknown what the TVA is doing in the Werewolf by Night feature, but one thing is for sure, it’ll be a hell of a ride. Many speculate that Werewolf by Night is not set in the main Marvel universe, considering how mystical the feature is so far.
1 Live-Action Man-Thing
Perhaps the biggest reveal in the Werewolf by Night trailer is that of Man-Thing. This character briefly appears in the trailer, but his appearance is undeniable. Man-Thing used to be a doctor, Theodore Sallis. Man-Thing holds the burden of responsibility for the Nexus of All Realities and acts as its sole guardian.
Man-Thing has featured in many Marvel comics and is even a prominent Midnight Sons member. Here, Man-Thing would have teamed with the likes of Doctor Strange, and even Werewolf by Night. It will be quite the show when the two characters meet in live-action, considering how scary both characters look.