Is Marvel's Werewolf by Night Becoming a Disney+ Halloween Special with a Latino Lead?

An update on the rumoredWerewolf by Nightproject in the works at Marvel Studios suggests it could be developed as a Halloween special to stream on Disney+. Recently, there were rumors spreading that the studio was developing a new project exclusive to the streamer based on Marvel’sWerewolf by Nightcomic book series. If true, it would serve as the first Disney+ title from Marvel Studios with a horror theme.

According to a new report via The Wrap,Marvelis actively searching for a Latino actor in his 30s to star in an untitled Halloween special. The outlet also reports that the special may be based onWerewolf by Night, tying it back to the rumored project in the works at Marvel Studios. Reportedly, the plan is to begin production in early 2022, possibly for a Halloween season release next year. No further information has been revealed about the special at this time, and Marvel hasn’t yet offered an official comment.

The titular monster has been portrayed as a werewolf who can transform at will, even without a full moon. There are two different characters to take on theWerewolf by Nightname in the original comic books. The first person to do so, Jack Russell, was created by Gerry Conway and Mike Ploog based on concepts by Stan Lee and Roy Thomas. He first appeared inMarvel SpotlightNo. 2 in 1972 before later getting his ownWerewolf by Nightseries that spanned 43 issues in the 1970s. Notably, Moon Knight made his Marvel debut in this comic book series.

More recently, a new incarnation of the character was introduced in 2020 inWerewolf by Night(Vol. 3) No. 1, created by Taboo of the Black-Eyed Peas alongside Benjamin Jackendoff and Scot Eaton. The comic introduces the werewolf as Jake Gomez, a teenage Native American who transforms due to a curse in his family. Beyond the ability to turn into a werewolf, the two versions have very little in common. It’s not clear at this time if the Latino actor sought for the rumoredWerewolf by Nightspecial is based on either of these versions or a new character entirely.

One of the many Disney+ shows we know to be in development isMoon Knightwith Oscar Isaac in the lead role. Because that superhero first showed up in aWerewolf by Nightcomic, it’s possible that there will be some kind of crossover with the rumored special and theMoon Knightseries. GivingWerewolf by Nighta one-off special may also be a way for Disney to test the waters with something more horror-ish from Marvel without committing to an entire series. It’s always possible the special could evolve into an ongoing series if it proves to be a hit.

For now,What If…?has been regularly dropping new episodes onDisney+following the prior releases ofWandaVision,The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, andLoki. Some of the other upcoming Marvel shows on the streamer includeMs. Marvel,Hawkeye, andShe-Hulk. Though Marvel Studios will continue to develop and release blockbusters on the big screen, the MCU will be growing very, very quickly on the small screen as well. Let’s hope the rumoredWerewolf by Nightspecial can join the fun next year. This news comes to us fromThe Wrap.