Moon Knight season 1 continues dominating the conversation in the television landscape even as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has taken over the movie theater box office, proving Marvel's staying power hasn't waned regardless of the platform. While Disney+ has yet to officially renew the show for a second season, and its making-of Assembled episode has been delayed for two weeks, it's evident that the superhero(es) portrayed by Oscar Isaac will have an important impact on the MCU going forward.
Beyond proving that the studio can succeed while taking risks in terms of more mature content, Moon Knight also showcased the power of diverse storytelling. Not only did the series introduce a protagonist with Dissociative Identity Disorder, it also brought the first Egyptian superhero into the MCU, and actively portrayed a Jewish hero onscreen. It is thanks to the tireless and detailed work of the creative team that all these elements came together in a tale that was compelling for audiences everywhere.
Screen Rant had the pleasure of speaking to Grant Curtis, who served as Moon Knight executive producer, about how some of the creative choices throughout season 1 came about and where he hopes to see Marc and Steven - not to mention Jake Lockley - pop up again in the MCU.
Screen Rant: The heartbreaking shift in Marc's backstory when it comes to his brother was fascinating. How early on had you guys discussed having his death lead to the creation of Steven?
Grant Curtis: We were led on that journey by Jeremy Slater, our incredible head writer. On the whiteboard in the writers room early on, as we started to map out the most emotional journey for Marc Spector, and how the backstories related with one another in the creation of Steven Grant and Jake Lockley, it just seemed like he led that charge and made those necessary tweaks.
And I do think it was those tweaks - and then obviously, the great Oscar Isaac and his performance. When you look at episode 5, and you look at Marc Spector outside of his childhood home, rocking back and forth in tears - I've seen that scene so many times, both on the page and when we were shooting through dailies. I've watched so many different cuts of 1.05, and every time I get a lump in my throat. That is because of Oscar Isaac, first and foremost, but it's also the journey that Jeremy Slater and our incredible team of writers mapped out.
When it comes to making those tweaks that you're talking about, there's a lot of great backstory that Moon Knight writers over the decades have interwoven into the greater tapestry that is the IP. But I think Jeremy made some really smart adjustments, and Oscar made some very smart adjustments. I think that's why at the end of this series, wherever Moon Knight or Jake Lockley, Steven Grant, Marc Spector end up in the future? I don't know, great question for Kevin Feige, but I'm invested as a fan. I'm invested, and I do think that comes down to Oscar, Mohamed, Benson and Moorhead.
Speaking of Jake, it was such a delight when he appeared in the post- credits sequence. Was there a negotiation regarding when he is going to finally reveal himself? How did that end up?
Grant Curtis: We always knew that we wanted to end up with Jake Lockley. Maybe it wasn't always the tag, maybe it was just towards the end of the whole journey. Because it seemed to make the most emotionally intriguing journey for Marc Spector and Steven Grant, if we ended in the Jake Lockley universe.
The discussions were more how do we not tip our hand too early? How do we try to hold that back? Because I still remember being a kid in my hometown of Warrensburg, Missouri, and hearing Darth Vader tell Luke Skywalker that he was his father. Believe me, it's not apples to apples, but how do you not tip your hand and leave as much as you can for that emotional reveal at the end of 1.06? How do you make it organic and fresh to the audience?
That's really what it was, a balancing act that I think Jeremy threaded expertly, along with Sabir [Pirzada] and Peter [Cameron], two of our other writers. And I do think now, through the knowledge of the end of 1.06, if you go back and you watch 1 through 5? You may see what was there a little bit more. Obviously when they blink, or when we see the sarcophagus shaking in 1.05, those hints are there. They're probably, in hindsight, a little bit more relevant. But that was really the balancing act, and I think it was extremely well done by everyone.
After episode 5, people were wondering why Taweret was the one who led them through the afterlife, when traditionally you might expect it to be Osiris or Anubis. What was the reason behind choosing her specifically?
Grant Curtis: There were a variety of factors, and some of them are spoilers that I can't get into. But to be honest with you, very early on in the process, we had a poster in the room of all the Egyptian gods. There was one that we fell in love with from the very beginning, and it was Taweret, this hippo goddess. We just kept pointing to her. "I want to know her story. I want to spend more time with her."
To be honest, that's how a lot of that shook out. Then there were some other narrative points, and I don't want to spoil anything. But it was really falling in love with that character and her bubbly personality on the page. Then once Antonia [Salib] came aboard, we just fell in love with her all over again. She just kept on being the leader of that journey through the Duat that we wanted to go with.
There are so many ways to link Moon Knight to other areas of the MCU, though I think it was the right choice to maintain its independence throughout the series. But people are talking about Midnight Sons, maybe Steven Grant having a connection to Dan Whitman and the Black Knight, and of course Moon Knight and Blade have been paired before in the comics. Is there any direction you hope to see it go, or anywhere in the MCU you would like to hop over to?
Grant Curtis: You know part of my answer - it's a great question for Kevin Feige. But I'll tell you this, strictly as a fan of what Oscar brought to the screen with Mohamed and Benson and Moorhead, and all of our other great collaborators. I don't think there's too many corners of the MCU that don't naturally merge with Moon Knight.
I think he could appear anywhere. Whether it's streaming, whether it's a film - I don't know, but I'll buy that ticket.
You worked on the Spider-Man trilogy with Sam Raimi, and now he's back in the MCU. Could there be another meeting of minds or team up there?
Grant Curtis: I think the world of Sam. I worked with him for 20 years, or close to that. He's a wonderful man. He's a gifted storyteller. It would be an honor if I ever worked with him again.
But honestly, I can't wait to see where Doctor Strange [in the Multiverse of Madness] goes, and everything that Sam is bringing to the table with Kevin and Lou and Victoria. It's cool to see. He's a director and storyteller at the top of his craft, and when you get to see storytellers like him make movies, the world is better for it.
More Moon Knight Interviews
Moon Knight follows Steven Grant, a mild-mannered gift-shop employee, who becomes plagued with blackouts and memories of another life. Steven discovers he has dissociative identity disorder and shares a body with mercenary Marc Spector.
- Ethan Hawke
- May Calamawy
- Grant Curtis
- Directors Moorhead & Benson
- Composer Hesham Nazih
- Director Mohamed Diab
Moon Knight season 1 is currently available to stream on Disney+.