There’s no escaping the night.|Sep. 25, 2022|United States|55 Min.|R
Genre: Fantasy;Horror;TV;Movie
Description: Werewolf by Night is a 2022 American television special directed by Michael Giacchino and written by Heather Quinn and Peter Cameron for Disney+. It is based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name and serves as the first Marvel Studios Special Presentation within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), connecting with the broader franchise. The story follows a hidden group of monster hunters who compete for a powerful relic while confronting a perilous creature.
The special stars Gael García Bernal as Jack Russell, also known as Werewolf by Night, alongside Laura Donnelly and Harriet Sansom Harris. Development of the project began in August 2021, with Bernal cast in November of the same year. Giacchino joined as director by March 2022, and filming took place later that month at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, concluding in late April. The special was officially announced in September 2022, with Giacchino also composing the score.
Premiering on Disney+ on October 7, 2022, as part of MCU’s Phase Four, Werewolf by Night received acclaim from critics. Its practical effects, black-and-white cinematography, standout performances (particularly from Bernal and Donnelly), Giacchino’s direction and score, and its unique storytelling approach were praised for diverging from traditional MCU content.
The plot centers on a secretive group of monster hunters who assemble at Bloodstone Manor after the death of their leader. They participate in a deadly competition to obtain a powerful relic, ultimately facing a dangerous monster.
The character of Werewolf by Night was initially considered for a feature film back in May 2001, with Marvel Studios and Dimension Films collaborating on the project. The script, developed by Hans Rodionoff, followed earlier drafts by John Fasano, and Crystal Sky Pictures was slated to co-produce the film. However, the project evolved into this special presentation decades later.
Cast director: Michael Giacchino
Cast actor: Gael García Bernal, Laura Donnelly, Harriet Sansom Harris, Al Hamacher, Eugenie Bondurant, Kirk R. Thatcher, Jaycob Maya, Daniel J. Watts, Leonardo Nam
Original name: Werewolf by Night