Werewolf by Night Trailer, My Thoughts

Like its comic book counterpart, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has touched a variety of genres. The Guardians of the Galaxy films were space opera. Captain America: The Winter Soldier was inspired by 1970s political thrillers. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was Marvel Studios paying tribute to wuxia films. In recent years, the MCU has been stepping into a new frontier. With WandaVision and Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, the MCU has been taking steps into horror. And now with this latest offering, they're paying tribute to the Universal Monsters with Werewolf by Night.

First appearing in Marvel Spotlight #2 (February 1972), Jack Russell (born Jacob Russoff) was born with a familial curse. On the three nights of the full moon, he would transform into a werewolf. He's had varying degrees of control over his lycanthropy over the years, and has been associated with various groups, most notably the Midnight Sons and the Night Shift. 

Coming this month, the character is going to make his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in what is called a "special presentation" for Disney+. Directed by Michael Giacchino, and written by Heather Quinn and Peter Cameron, it will star Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal as Jack. The cast also includes Laura Donnelly as Elsa Bloodstone, and Jaycob Maya as Jake Gomez (aka the second Werewolf by Night). A group of monster hunters have gathered at the home of Elsa's late father Ulysses Bloodstone to participate in a dangerous hunt for a mysterious relic...and there's a monster in the house. Let's look at the trailer!

Ooh, nice intro there. Makes sense, considering this little special presentation is meant to evoke 1930s horror movies. Why not have an intro that comes right out of a 1970s TV network?

Ooh, that don't sound good.

Ah, a bunch of robed figures entering a room. Absolutely nothing sinister about that. Nope. Not sinister at all.

I'm sure the Werewolf's not that bad once you get to know them. Maybe they just want a ham. Mmm...ham...

And in this special presentation, the role of the Cryptkeeper will be portrayed by Ulysses Bloodstone. I honestly thought that was Simon Garth at first.

This is a monster hunters' idea of a convention isn't it?

"We're not sure exactly which one of you it is. It could be that Russell guy who insists on locking himself in his room every night, and makes animal noises every night, but we're not sure."

That's a funky-looking axe.

And that's what happens when you flip a monster off.

I've heard of giving someone a hand, but that was ridiculous!

Did we just see the Man-Thing?!

Now that is a way to end a trailer!

I am excited for this. I've heard this presentation get plenty of praise from people who got to see it early, and that only makes me more excited. The usage of black and white helps make this look truly unique from anything else the MCU has ever put out. It looks stylish, and genuinely terrifying. I love that we don't see a lot of the Werewolf in this trailer. That's a smart move, in my opinion. You wanna see the Werewolf? You gotta watch the special. And since this is the month of October, what better time for this to debut, eh? Bring on the Legion of Monsters!

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