Marvel Studios is looking to do more to flesh out the cosmic side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Still, it looks like they’re planning on doing more to tackle more horror/supernatural corners. A new report from The Wrap mentions that the studio is moving forward with an untitled “Halloween Special” for Disney+ with production to begin next year and are looking to a Latino actor in their 30s to possibly play Werewolf By Night, a horror superhero.
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It’s unclear if this will be an anthology project (featuring multiple segments), sort of like what “The Simpsons” are known for, a single-serving story, or something entirely different. All projects at Disney+ have been considered MCU-canon, but it remains to be seen if the special will lead to various spinoffs or those characters joining films or series.
There are two incarnations of Werewolf By Night with the traditional version Jack Russell and the more recent incarnation Jake Gomez, the latter hailing from the Hopi Native American tribe and could allow for another diverse superhero.
This wouldn’t be the first time that Marvel has flexed the horror side of their comics book universe, with a “What If…?” episode set to explore “Marvel Zombies” along with supernatural superheroes such as Mahershala Ali’s vampire hunter “Blade” and Oscar Isaac’s “Moon Knight” on the horizon.
It’s been long assumed that the studio could potentially build towards horror-focused super-teams such as The Midnight Sons (a recently announced high-profile video game), Legion of Monsters, or even the modern monstrous incarnation of The Howling Commandos.
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The Midnight Sons comic book team includes MCU characters such as Benedict Cumberbatch‘s Doctor Strange, Blade, Moon Knight, and Benedict Wong‘s increasingly popular Wong (who will appear in “Shang-Chi” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home“). The new video game roster includes mutants like Wolverine and Magik from “The New Mutants.”
There is an expectation that Sam Raimi‘s “Doctor Strange In The Multiverse” will have many horror elements, and there’s a possibility it could have a connection to the Halloween Special.
Marvel Studios has officially enlisted director James Gunn to make a “The Guardians of The Galaxy Holiday Special,” however, it’s really unclear what that Disney+ project will look like. So, holiday-themed MCU specials are coming and perhaps more on the way, but what they entail and what they will look like is up in the air for now.