Warning! This list contains major spoilers for the MCU Halloween Special, Werewolf by Night.
Marvel fans were thrilled by the first Halloween special, Werewolf by Night, with its ode to classic monster movies and unexpected gore, but, more importantly, they instantly took a liking to the titular character's friend, Man-Thing. While Jack Russell refers to him as Ted, Man-Thing became the special's highlight, as the charming and friendly monster caught up in bounty hunters' pursuit to claim the Bloodstone gem.
Considering his appearance was short, fans are eager to see more of Man-Thing, whether on Disney+ or the silver screen, and that is likely possible since Ted regained his freedom and survived the hunt in the special. With the rest of the MCU focused on the multiverse, Man-Thing may have a bigger role in possible future specials or other supernatural-related series, where his powers are vital against evil entities.
His Own Halloween Special or Disney+ Show
If one thing is certain following Werewolf by Night, Man-Thing deserves his own Halloween special. In fact, he was such an interesting character, he could even do well with his own Disney+ series. Ted’s origin, going from a scientist wishing to recreate the super soldier serum to a mysterious creature of vine and moss, needs to be explored in full.
Logically, Man-Thing would be the next Halloween special, and it could also be a great way to introduce other prominent monsters, like Manphibian, Frankenstein’s Monster, and/or N’Kantu, the Living Mummy, to name a few. His common ally, Jennifer Kale, could also likely feature, and it could help Man-Thing become a popular character to casual MCU fans.
Loki Season 2
Man-Thing can play an important role in unfolding multiversal stories, which could entail him having a role in Loki's future. When the first trailer for Werewolf by Night was released, many thought the security officers were agents for the Time Variance Authority, and while that wasn’t confirmed, their costuming was a strong and deliberate choice.
That simple fact could in some way link Werewolf by Night and Loki together. While Man-Thing likely won’t play a major role in the upcoming second season, which is currently slated for summer 2023, he could pop up in a cameo or as an Easter egg in the background.
Agatha: Coven of Chaos
Now that Werewolf, Elsa Bloodstone, and Man-Thing are here, other supernatural heroes are waiting to join the MCU. A good place for all of them is Agatha: Coven of Chaos. That series will explore the magical side of the MCU even more, which could help bring Man-Thing back into the fray.
He doesn’t cast magic like Agatha, Doctor Strange, or Scarlet Witch, but his powers are mighty. Specifically, anyone who he touches and feels fear is corroded away – like how he killed Jovan and Verussa in Werewolf by Night. Therefore, if Agatha: Coven of Chaos plays up the horror or brings in villains like Mephisto or Nightmare, Man-Thing could have a role to play in it.
Thunderbolts
At D23, fans were finally treated to the roster for the Thunderbolts in the MCU, consisting of Yelena Belova, Winter Soldier, US Agent, Red Guardian, Ghost, and Taskmaster. Others could still show up, especially if theories are true that there are two teams — one heroic and one villainous. Man-Thing is a member of the Thunderbolts for a time in the comics, so perhaps he is incorporated into Thunderbolts.
This is a bit of a stretch, but if the Contessa or Baron Zemo learn of a mystical and incredibly powerful swamp monster out in the wild, they’d either want to find a way to quell the beast or take control of it. As such, there is a case to be made for Man-Thing to be in Thunderbolts.
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty
A strong and safe bet for Man-Thing’s future in the MCU is for him to feature in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. Like Avengers: Infinity War, this will likely unite all the major heroes across the MCU, and Man-Thing should be included in that group. Interestingly, it might not be in the way many would initially suspect. There is no indication in Werewolf by Night that it takes place in the main continuity, so Avengers: The Kang Dynasty could very well follow characters on various Earths.
Man-Thing, Werewolf by Night, Elsa Bloodstone, and the other monsters could be denizens of a different universe than Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and She-Hulk. That might mean that they have to fight one of Kang’s variants, of which there are many. Whatever the case, fans will have to wait till 2025 to know for certain.
Avengers: Secret Wars
Following Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, Man-Thing would have to appear next in Avengers: Secret Wars. This is where his full multiversal connections could come to fruition. In the comics, Man-Thing is more than what he seems. He is also the guardian of the mysterious Nexus of All Realities, an extradimensional gateway connecting everything across reality, time, and space.
That alone would put a target on his back if Kang the Conqueror or various other villains found out. Additionally, if it does turn out that he is not from Earth-616, it won’t matter by the time of Avengers: Secret Wars, as presumably all universes will be united as one as in the comics.
Doctor Strange 3
Fans are still waiting to learn what projects will fill the empty slots yet in Phase Six. There are several films and TV shows that Man-Thing could play a role in, like Doctor Strange 3. The end of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness directly set up a third film that will lead into Avengers: Secret Wars, so this seems like a likely possibility.
If Man-Thing is from Earth-616, he could be incorporated into Doctor Strange 3 and help him thwart the incursions threatening their reality. It would definitely be a welcome sight to see Man-Thing move from the TV to the silver screen, and this might be a good place for that to happen.
Scarlet Witch
The word Nexus is not only connected to Man-Thing but also another incredibly powerful, magical character, Scarlet Witch. In the MCU, she is a Nexus being with the capability of drastically reshaping the reality of her universe. Although she presumably died in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which may still be up for debate, many fans agree that it's a long pastime for a Scarlet Witch film.
That could also be one of the missing Phase Six films, and along with ringing her back into the action, it could explore her connection to Nexus events and possibly Man-Thing. In the end, the two of them might be incredibly important to Kang’s plans and uniting the universes together for Avengers: Secret Wars.
Midnight Sons / Legion of Monsters
Werewolf by Night is just the latest project giving hope for a future Midnight Sons film in the MCU, along with Moon Knight, Blade, and the Doctor Strange films. Man-Thing is a common member of that team in the comics, so it would make sense for him to potentially join the MCU version. However, whether alternatively or additionally, he could be part of a Legion of Monsters team-up, too.
If future Halloween Specials introduce new monsters like Vampire by Night, Manphibian, or Shiklah, their stories could culminate in a Legion of Monsters special, or even better, a Disney+ miniseries. Whatever the case, a Midnight Sons or a Legion of Monsters project would likely take some time to set up, so they could be something to anticipate after the end of the Multiverse Saga.
The Incredible Hulk 2
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This one is definitely a stretch, but the case could be made for Man-Thing to appear in whatever is coming for the Hulk. He was last seen in the second episode of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law flying to Sakaar, which has led to theories that he’ll be interacting with his son, Skaar. And Man-Thing does have a connection to that planet and the Grandmaster’s Contest of Champions in the MCU.
It was likely nothing more than an Easter egg, teasing a new character, but Man-Thing was established as a former Champion on Sakaar in Thor: Ragnarok – along with Ares, Beta Ray Bill, Bi-Beast, and Dark-Crawler. That could mean that Hulk defeated Man-Thing to become the Champion, and while very unlikely, he could somehow return for the much-desired sequel to The Incredible Hulk.