Key Takeaways:
– Kevin Feige’s Marvel Cinematic Universe was established in 2008 with Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man.
– Michael Giacchino, the famed composer, surprised Feige with a pitch for a TV series based on a fringe Marvel character, Werewolf By Night.
– Despite initial hesitations, the show, which features Gael García Bernal, has garnered positive reviews and seems set for another season.
Birth of a New Idea within MCU
While navigating through the world sketched by Kevin Feige’s Marvel Cinematic Universe that started its journey in 2008 with the iconic Iron Man, we find ourselves captivated by the interconnected storytelling methods employed. The franchise peaked in 2019 with Avengers: Endgame, leaving the world astonished and every box office record beaten.
The over decade-long franchise has introduced many unique stories and superheroes. However, the pitch by Michael Giacchino, creator of the soundtracks for renowned franchises such as The Incredibles, Jurassic World, and Up, proved to be quite different.
Surprise Pitch that Took MCU’s President Aback
Giacchino surprised the Marvel Studios President, Kevin Feige, with a seemingly obscure TV series idea. The Alias composer boldly pitched a storyline surrounding the enigmatic character, Werewolf By Night, a character that originated from the horror comics of the 70s, targeting a niche audience. This pitch seemingly surprised Feige, given its divergence from the mainstream Marvel characters.
The Unexpected Path of Giacchino
It is interesting to note that Giacchino, renowned for composition work, has dabbled in directorial ventures before, such as an episode of Star Trek: Short Treks. His knack for steering off the beaten path led him to talk with Feige about directing, expressing his fondness for the lesser-known characters. His direction for the TV series, Werewolf By Night, has brought this fringe character into the spotlight.
Success Despite Initial Skepticism
Despite the initial skepticism surrounding the project, Giacchino’s TV series, Werewolf By Night, featuring Gael García Bernal as the lead, has received a warm welcome from both critics and viewers. Holding an impressive score of 89% on the Tomatometer and an audience score of 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, the series has sparked high expectations for its future.
In 2023, while speaking to Collider, Giacchino voiced his desire to explore the universe of these characters further in a potential following season. He said, “There’s always talk… I would love to, and I have ideas of what I would love to do with them, and it’s all crazy and nuts, but I think that’s the only way to go about it.”
Awaiting the News for the Next Season
Yet, fans are still waiting for the news of another season. Like Giacchino shared, “hopefully, one day” someone would share his unique vision and enable him to bring the unconventional characters of Marvel back to the screen.
Although it is uncertain whether Werewolf By Night will come back for another season, one thing is clear – the show has shown that even the lesser-known, fringe characters of the Marvel Universe can captivate the audience and tell fascinating stories. Werewolf By Night stands as an example of the unexpected surprises that Kevin Feige’s Marvel Cinematic Universe can bring.
For all the Marvel fans and the curious minds, Werewolf By Night is streaming on Disney+ and is waiting to take you on its unique journey. Just as the creators had dared to imagine beyond the mainstream, it encourages viewers to do the same.
