Werewolf by Night is coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe! Marvel has started production on its currently untitled Halloween special, due out in October 2022. Although the plot and most details are still under wraps, we now know who the two main characters will be. Here’s what we know so far!
Gael Garcia Bernal as Werewolf by Night
Gael Garcia Bernal—known for Station Eleven, The Motorcycle Diaries, Y Tu Mamá También, and other works—will star as Werewolf by Night.
Who is Werewolf by Night? That’s … actually kind of a complicated question. In the Marvel universe, multiple characters have taken on the mantle, with lycanthropy being passed down through different generations. Bernal is playing Jack Russell, the most popular and long-running of the various werewolves. He inherits his lycanthropy from his ancestor Grigori, who originally became a vampire in a fight with Dracula.
Werewolf by Night has a variety of powers and abilities. He has super speed, strength, stamina, endurance, and durability. He also has a heightened sense of smell and sharp claws and teeth (being, you know, part wolf). Most importantly, he retains his human intellect while in wolf form, unlike more classic werewolves who become mindless monsters when they transform.
Laura Donnelly as Elsa Bloodstone
When Laura Donnelly (The Nevers, The Ferryman) first joined the cast, it was widely assumed that she’d play Nina Price, who becomes Vampire by Night. However, it’s now been revealed that Donnelly will play Elsa Bloodstone. Elsa is a relative newcomer to Marvel Comics, first appearing in 2001’s Bloodstone series. Elsa is a monster hunter reminiscent of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, who isn’t afraid to team up with monsters like Dracula himself to defeat other monsters.
What Will Jack and Elsa Get up to Together?
According to the official plot synopsis, Jack will become Werewolf by Night and use his newfound powers to protect his family in their small Arizona town. Presumably, Elsa will join forces with him to stop whatever spooky monsters they find themselves up against.
What’s fun about Werewolf by Night is the absolutely ridiculous number of monsters that Marvel comics throw into the mix. Dracula and Nosferatu have both made appearances throughout the years, along with Frankenstein’s monster. Hopefully the Halloween special will have the same vibe, with Jack fighting a veritable monster mash of creepy, spooky characters.
Plus, Werewolf by Night has plenty of connections to elements that have already made it into the MCU. The Darkhold, for instance, comes up multiple times in Werewolf by Night comics, and it made its MCU debut in WandaVision. There are rumors circulating that the Halloween special will be MCU canon, which gives it some crossover potential. Stay tuned for more updates as we get them!
(featured image: Marvel Comics)
