The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is set to explore horror elements significantly in phases 4, 5, and 6. However, not every project from Marvel Studios is geared toward this goal. Werewolf by Night, the short film released in 2022, serves as a clear example of this direction. This film is perceived as a significant experiment for Marvel with the horror genre, while also paving the way for the introduction of one of the most notable teams in comic book lore: the Legion of Monsters.
Released on October 7, 2022, Werewolf by Night introduced Gael Garcia Bernal into the MCU as Jack Russell, a monster hunter cursed with lycanthropy, allowing him to transform into a werewolf. Additionally, this project marks the first time Man-Thing and Elsa Bloodstone (Laura Donnelly) appeared in a live-action setting. These characters are well-known within many horror-themed storylines in Marvel comics.
Werewolf by Night signifies the initial foray into the horror genre within the MCU. However, producer Stephen Broussard indicated that this is merely the beginning, with Marvel Studios likely to continue exploring horror content and monsters in future projects.
Werewolf by Night is just the beginning for the horror film genre within the MCU
During a promotional press conference for Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania, Broussard revealed that Marvel Studios is “starting to introduce a number of characters tied to darker, more supernatural, and mystical realms in a natural way.” He also emphasized that the horror content generated in Werewolf by Night will most certainly play a role in upcoming MCU story arcs.
In addition to Bernal’s werewolf character, Werewolf by Night serves as a launching pad for Man-Thing, another creature often referred to as Ted Sallis. Not only is Man-Thing one of the most iconic horror figures in Marvel, but he also holds a significant role in the concept of the MCU, as he is the guardian of the Nexus of All Realities – a point where multiple timelines intersect. This means that Man-Thing could serve as a connective thread linking horror-themed narratives to the overall MCU.
Moreover, Werewolf by Night introduces the notion of various types of supernatural entities into the MCU. This could serve as a stepping stone for the introduction of Blade, who is set to officially rise to the big screen in phase 5, while also enhancing the horror-themed content in the future.
Decoding the Legion of Monsters within Marvel Comics
With more and more types of monsters entering the MCU, many speculate that Marvel Studios is preparing for the appearance of one of the most notorious horror teams in Marvel lore: the Legion of Monsters.
The introduction of the Legion of Monsters was first conceived by Roy Thomas, one of the writers who created Man-Thing, who hinted: “Werewolf by Night only lasted 15 minutes but it was enough for us to see the shadow of the Legion of Monsters!” In the comics, this team first appeared in Marvel Premiere #28, published in 1976, featuring characters like Morbius the Living Vampire, Werewolf by Night, Ghost Rider, and Man-Thing. They joined forces to fight against a malevolent entity known as Starseed.
Despite the limited run of this iteration, the Legion of Monsters continues to maintain various forms in the comics. In a recent storyline, this team included members like Morbius, Werewolf by Night, Man-Thing, N’Kantu the Living Mummy, and Manphibian. Their mission was to protect Monster Metropolis from the Hunter of Monster Special Forces. To achieve their goal, they need the assistance of Elsa Bloodstone, who also appeared in Werewolf by Night, and possibly even Doctor Strange, one of the most familiar superheroes in the MCU.
Therefore, Marvel Studios has ample opportunity to transition this narrative into its future projects. Moreover, the Legion of Monsters could serve as a launching pad for numerous anticipated characters from Marvel Comics.
Will the Legion of Monsters bring Red Hulk into the MCU?
There are many reasons to believe that Marvel Studios is preparing for the appearance of Red Hulk in phase 5 of the MCU, after continuously introducing characters related to Hulk, including She-Hulk and Skaar. Additionally, Harrison Ford has been cast as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, taking over the role from the late William Hurt. Ross will return in two projects: Captain America: New World Order and Thunderbolts.
This reintroduction suggests that Ross will have a more significant role in the overarching narrative of the MCU, and viewers may eventually witness him transform into Red Hulk, as depicted in the original comics. The appearance of the Legion of Monsters could act as a catalyst to expedite this concept.
In the comics, Red Hulk has sought assistance from Doctor Strange and the Legion of Monsters to eliminate the malevolent spirit of Doc Samson. This connection could easily be explored in future MCU narratives, allowing Marvel Studios to bring both the Legion of Monsters and Red Hulk closer to the audience, while also enhancing the overall storyline in the MCU.
At this point, Werewolf by Night remains a standalone project with little to no direct connections to the overarching MCU narrative.
What’s next for the main characters of Werewolf by Night?
Considering the upcoming projects in phases 5 and 6 of the MCU, there is a clear opportunity for characters from Werewolf by Night to return, especially through the impending Blade reboot. This film has been in development for several years at Marvel Studios, with Mahershala Ali set to play the lead role, and it is expected to hold significant importance in the supernatural realm of the MCU. With her monster-hunting experience, Elsa Bloodstone could undoubtedly serve as a valuable ally to Blade in tackling various monstrous threats. Furthermore, in the comics, Blade has previously teamed up with both Jack Russell and Man-Thing, the two central characters of Werewolf by Night.
Additionally, these three characters could potentially team up with Moon Knight, Blade, Black Knight, Doctor Strange, Wong, and Scarlet Witch to form the Midnight Sons. Unlike the Avengers, the Midnight Sons will address more supernatural-related issues. However, it is likely that any projects specifically dedicated to this team will not be developed in the next two phases of the MCU, allowing Marvel Studios to focus on the overarching narrative surrounding Werewolf by Night. Therefore, we might have to wait until phase 7 to see any signs of a dedicated horror-focused content and monstrous narratives blooming.
Source: ScreentRant
