Michael Giacchino — the composer behind such films as Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and The Batman — has been tapped to direct Marvel Studios’ upcoming Halloween special for Disney+.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Giacchino will helm the horror-tinged Marvel Cinematic Universe special, which is expected to enter production later this month. The special has been referred to as Werewolf by Night, though THR notes that sources say this will not be the final title. The special is slated to premiere on Disney+ later this year, presumably in the fall.
Marvel Studios’ upcoming Halloween special for Disney+ — which has been described as being “werewolf-focused” — stars Gael Garcia Bernal and Laura Donnelly. Bernal is said to be portraying a werewolf, possibly the Marvel Comics character known as Werewolf by Night, though this remains unconfirmed. Meanwhile, Donnelly is speculated to be playing Nina Price/Vampire by Night, provided Bernal’s rumored role holds true.
Speaking of rumors, the apparent Werewolf by Night special is also rumored to feature the first full MCU appearance of Mahershala Ali’s Eric Brooks/Blade ahead of his planned big-screen debut. Ali will play the Daywalker in Marvel Studios’ upcoming Blade reboot film, though recently made a voice cameo as the character in 2021’s Eternals.
Created by Roy Thomas, Jeanie Thomas, Gerry Conway and Mike Ploog, Jack Russell/Werewolf by Night first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #2, cover-dated February 1972. A new Werewolf by Night named Jake Gomez was created by Taboo, Benjamin Jackendoff and Scot Eaton, first appearing in 2020’s Werewolf by Night #1. Meanwhile, Nina Price/Vampire by Night was created by Jeff Parker and Federica Manfredi, first appearing in 2005’s Amazing Fantasy #10. Notably, Nina Price is the niece of Jack Russell.
As a composer, Giacchino rose to prominence thanks to his work on the 2004 Pixar film The Incredibles. He subsequently scored films like Ratatouille and Up. Some of the live-action films Giacchino has composed include the aforementioned Rogue One and The Batman, as well as Cloverfield, Speed Racer, Matt Reeves’ Planet of the Apes films and J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek films.
Of course, Giacchino has also worked on a number of Marvel Studios films, including Doctor Strange, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Spider-Man: No Way Home and the upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder. As a director, he helmed the 2018 short film Monster Challenge and an episode of the anthology series Star Trek: Short Treks.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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