To help make Marvel Studios films standout from each other, each are given a different subgenre. From political thrillers and heists to coming-of-age stories and mind-bending thrillers, fans seen their favorite heroes take on all sorts of stories in genres that suit their heroism. As a part of their D23 Expo celebrations, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and director (and Academy Award-winning composer) Michael Giacchino rewinds the clock with “Werewolf by Night,” a film that not only expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe but also is a love letter to the classic Black-and-White horror classics of the past.
In what Marvel Studios calls a “Special Presenatation” – a nod to those weekly night TV specials – Gael García Bernal stars in the special as Jack Russell / Werewolf by Night, along with Laura Donnelly and Harriet Sansom Harris. And unlike the Disney+ Marvel Studio series of the past, “Werewolf by Night” is a special presentation that appears only on Disney+. Even the special presentation opening card that accompanies the “A Marvel Studios Special Presentation” title comes with bongo music and multicolored lights that are reminiscent of the Special Presentation broadcast TV specials of the early 1980s and 1990s.
It will be interesting to see how “Werewolf by Night” fits into Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Since Marvel Studios has already announced Blade’s vampirism will be a part of the MCU, it only makes sense that they introduce lycanthropicism into it. But rather than just do another big-budget superhero film. Giacchino approached things differently and gave it a throwback vibe. So to see how Feige is embracing more of the supernatural is fun, and I can’t wait to see if any other iconic monsters will appear in the MCU.
Inspired by the classic horror films of the 1930s and 1940s, Giacchino said “Werewolf by Night” would be a lot like Poltergeist and have the right amount of scares, while also staying connected to the MCU. Feige called “Werewolf by Night,” “fun scary.”
Jaycob Maya, Eugenie Bondurant, and Kirk Thatcher have been cast in undisclosed roles.
“Werewolf by Night” makes its howling debut on Disney+ on October 7, 2022.
Here’s the official plot synopsis for “Werewolf by Night:”
A secret group of monster hunters gather at Bloodstone Castle following the death of their leader and engage in a mysterious and deadly competition for a powerful relic, which will bring them face to face with a dangerous monster
