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Werewolf by Night is now running amok on Disney+, bringing all sorts of spooky spectacle to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The special presentation opens up the MCU in a bold new way by integrating classic horror movie archetypes and classic horror characters into the pre-established superhero universe. This wild special means that the MCU can pretty much do whatever they want, especially with Disney+ as a platform.
But what does Werewolf by Night mean for the MCU at large, even beyond the borders of Disney+? We already knew that the MCU was gonna get spooky, what with Blade already announced for theaters next year. The question now is, how will Werewolf by Night impact and/or influence the future of the MCU? And where will we see all of our spooky new faves again? This can’t be the first and last time that we see Elsa, Jack, and Ted!
Below you’ll find five ways that we think Werewolf by Night’s presence will be felt in the Marvel Cinematic Universe moving forward. Things in the MCU are about to get super horrific.
'Blade's' cast just got hairier and/or greener
So far in its 14-year existence, Marvel Studios has succeeded in introducing Marvel Comics’ superheroes, mythological gods, cosmic beings, and sorcerers to worldwide audiences. Werewolf by Night finally brings Marvel’s stable of horror characters into the mix, and it does so ahead of the film that we all kinda thought was going to get there first: Blade.
Starring Mahershala Ali, 2023’s Blade will bring the vampiric vampire slayer into the Marvel Cinematic Universe along with presumably an entire cast that is creepy and/or crawly. Werewolf by Night, which was a surprise addition to the MCU canon considering it wasn’t even confirmed as existing until just under a month ago, gets there first and introduces us to Marvel horror mainstays Jack Russell (Gael García Bernal), Elsa Bloodstone (Laura Donnelly), and Man-Thing (a.k.a. Ted!). Now we gotta wonder: is there room for any of these characters in Blade? Are any of them already in Blade? Could they get added in as a post-credits scene should Werewolf by Night be a big Halloween hit? It’s possible! But even if Bernal and Ali don’t appear onscreen together next year, they could still team-up later down the road.
'Marvel's Midnight Sons' or something, in theaters
For those who were too cool, too young, or too nonexistent to read comics in the early ’90s, Midnight Sons was a team/line of comics published by Marvel that encompassed all of their horrific and/or supernatural heroes. Werewolf by Night, Elsa Bloodstone, and Man-Thing were all part of the loosely-defined group at one time or another, as were more marquee names like Blade, Ghost Rider, and Doctor Strange. If Marvel’s really serious about building up its horror brand, then there could easily be a Midnight Sons movie in one of the many movie release dates they have reserved.
And just to bump up the chaos: yes, Morbius is also a Midnight Son. Venom and Deadpool are in the MCU now, so all bets are off. Anything can happen!
'Jack & Ted's Excellent Adventures' on Disney+
Seeing as how there doesn’t seem to be a limit on how many Disney+ shows Marvel Studios can have in development at once, it doesn’t seem far-fetched for Werewolf by Night and Man-Thing (a.k.a. Jack and Ted) to get their own series. If not a series, then what about annual, hourlong special presentations timed to Halloween? Seems like a no-brainer!
More Elsa Bloodstone (who is not Jessica Jones)
Why are we so fixated on Jack Russell, though? Elsa Bloodstone is right there and the Werewolf by Night special is essentially her origin story. She ends the special in possession of the powerful Bloodstone and she takes over her dead father’s creepy estate. Elsa’s in the perfect position for a show or special presentation of her own.
And no, for those of you Googling to see if Elsa Bloodstone is played by Krysten Ritter, she is not. She’s played by Laura Donnelly.
Man Without Fear vs. Man-Thing
The problem with future Marvel Studios TV series is that most all of them follow the six-hour-movie formula. They usually aren’t episodic, which means it’s hard for them to slot in guest appearances from very unique guest stars like Elsa, Jack, or Ted.
That might not be the case with 2024’s Daredevil: Born Again. We know that the show is going to have a glorious 18-episode run on Disney+ — it’s almost like this TV show is a TV show! — and that means there should be plenty of time for tonal diversions and standalone adventures. And fortunately for Ted, Daredevil and Man-Thing have kind of an established dynamic in the comics. Daredevil’s the Man Without Fear, and those who fear Man-Thing burn at his touch. So what happens when Man-Thing comes across a guy who has no fear? Hopefully we can find out (and hopefully Ted plays nice with Charlie Cox).
