Although Marvel's first take on the horror with Doctor Strange 2 didn't have the greatest reception, Werewolf by Night has raised the terrors and scares, with early reviews calling it one of the best MCU Disney+ projects ever offered. Unlike the previous film, the hauntingly enticing Halloween Special is more in line with campy horror as it pays homage to the classic black-and-white films of 1930s Hollywood.
Werewolf by Night is just the first of the MCU’s Holiday Specials, with The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special hitting Disney+ in December. Hopefully, they’ll do more specials as ways to incorporate some stranger and more obscure heroes like Werewolf by Night. If by chance, they’d decide to make more Halloween Specials, there are many fantastic options for protagonists. Specifically, these characters would be perfect fits, whether they continue in line with Werewolf by Night or break into something even more unique.
Howling Commandos
If there were to be a second Halloween Special, they could do the same formula for a different monster, or they could incorporate those they’ve already introduced as part of a team. That would logically lead to something for the Midnight Sons, Legion of Monsters, and/or the Howling Commandos. As for the former, many fans are hoping that the Midnight Sons get their own film, so the Howling Commandos could be a good fit for a special.
They are a SHEILD team aimed at fighting back against supernatural forces and villainous monsters. Among the ranks are characters like Man-Thing, Manphibian, and Werewolf by Night, joined by SHEILD agents, including Dum Dum Dugan and Clay Quartermain. This could be a fun way to incorporate elements of horror, mystery, and espionage to make something quite special and unique in the MCU.
Man-Thing
Of course, after Werewolf by Night, the next best option is to do a Man-Thing Halloween Special. In fact, Man-Thing is a character worthy of his own Disney+ series still in the Multiverse Saga, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they announce that sometime down the line. This is largely dependent on his backstory and origins not being explored in Werewolf by Night, which seems likely since it is only roughly an hour long.
Since he is the guardian of the Nexus of All Realities, he could have an important role to play as the Multiverse Saga continues to unfold, especially in Avengers: Secret Wars. This would also be a way to introduce some other supernatural characters, whether part of the Howling Commandos, Legion of Monsters, or individual characters, such as Jennifer Kale, Manphibian, and Boy-Thing.
Ghost Rider
Besides Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch, one major supernatural hero is missing from the main MCU continuity – Ghost Rider. The Spirit of Vengeance did play a role throughout Agents of SHIELD with Robbie Reyes appearing, but that hasn’t been acknowledged as part of the main universe. Whether Reyes returns or they go with Johnny Blaze or Danny Ketch, Ghost Rider could surely helm his own films and a Halloween Special to boot.
Introducing Ghost Rider could be a great way to finally put an end to the ceaseless theorizing about when and how Mephisto will appear in the MCU. While a Man-Thing special could easily follow the aesthetic and tone of Werewolf by Night, Ghost Rider’s special would be something different and more traditionally action based.
Daimon & Satana Hellstrom
Ghost Rider isn’t the only character from the Marvel Television era who could get their own Halloween Special. There is also Daimon and Satana Hellstrom, who were seen in the short-lived Helstrom series on Hulu. While the show wasn’t particularly well-received, it could still end up being incorporated into the MCU, and some fans have theories about how Hulu-Marvel characters could return.
The caveat for giving the Hellstrom siblings a Halloween special is that it might be too mature for Disney+, although the recent changes made to bring R-Rated content like Logan and Deadpool to the service might’ve lessened those concerns. Their special could even be a completely new origin story for the characters, essentially taking what worked in Helstrom and leaving behind what didn’t.
N'Kantu, The Living Mummy
Like Man-Thing, another classic horror character from Marvel, N’Kantu the Living Mummy is the perfect candidate for his own Halloween Special. His story could also work in the same style as Werewolf by Night in a kitschy, black-and-white homage to classic cinema. Interestingly, it could also incorporate elements of adventure reminiscent of The Mummy and since N’Kantu’s origins are in Ancient Egypt, his story could in turn be linked to Moon Knight.
This would be a great way to introduce N’Kantu into the MCU in a way that could help him stand out among more recognizable and beloved characters. After this, he could end up joining Werewolf by Night, Man-Thing, and others in the various team-ups.
Frankenstein's Monster
It might surprise casual MCU fans that Frankenstein and his monster are part of the world of Marvel Comics, so they could also come into play in the MCU. They’d also do well with the same treatment being given to Werewolf by Night, and, in fact, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if the special at least references Frankenstein’s monster. At one point, he actually works for Elsa Bloodstone’s father, Ulysses, as his butler, so there’s his link in.
An interesting concept a Frankenstein’s Monster Halloween Special could contend with is how he is not the only one of his kind. There have been various clones and different versions, including Frankencastle when the Punisher was mystically reanimated. It might be intriguing to see the monster, whether alone or joined by allies, having to go up against his copies.
Vampire By Night
The logical step after introducing zombies and werewolves is to bring in vampires. Audiences are already somewhat ready for their arrival, thanks in part to Morbius, but they’d likely find them more appealing and grounded in the MCU with characters like Dracula, Lilith Drake, and Vampire by Night. As to the latter, she’d be a worthy candidate for her own Halloween special for multiple reasons.
She is Jack Russell aka Werewolf by Night’s niece, and she is actually a vampire-werewolf hybrid, so she’d have a compelling and haunting story to explore. Her special could bring her into conflict with other vampires, and it would be an easy way to keep Gael García Bernal in the picture. All in all, it would make sense for a Vampire by Night special to follow Werewolf by Night.
Manphibian
Another classic horror character that would meld well with the world being established by Werewolf by Night is Manphibian. He is based on the Creature of the Black Lagoon, but unlike Man-Thing, N’Kantu, or Werewolf by Night, Manphibian is not a transformed human. He is actually an alien who traveled to Earth centuries ago to hunt down his mate’s murderer.
Should this group of monster hunters survive their run-in with Werewolf by Night and/or Man-Thing, their sights could be set on Manphibian next. There are still some mysteries surrounding Manphibian, so a Halloween Special could be a nice way to clarify on his origins and where he comes from.
Sleepwalker
If they’d want to go down a different path for a Halloween Special and incorporate themes and elements from modern horror, then Sleepwalker would be a good choice. The Sleepwalkers hail from the strange dimension of the Mindscape – an aspect of the Dream Dimension which was first mentioned in Loki – in which they essentially act as the police, protecting sleepers from invading demons.
A Sleepwalker special could make good on all the talk of dreams, nightmares, and easter eggs throughout Doctor Strange 2 in which they connect people across the Multiverse. It would also allow Nightmare to serve as the main protagonist, although Sleepwalker has a plethora of colorful and unique villains to pick from, too.
Wong
Perhaps, the smartest decision Marvel could make is giving Wong his own Special, as it would be the least they could do. He has become the binding glue throughout Phase Four following his appearances in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and recently, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
As such, many fans are eagerly hoping he’ll get his own Disney+ series soon, which could even adapt the Strange Academy storyline of having him teach a group of young students at Kamar-Taj. That premise would be a perfect fit for a Halloween Special alone and could also incorporate characters like Doyle Dormmamu, Nico Minoru, and America Chavez. Alternatively, Wong could helm something all on his own, and fans would be happy. But, they’d probably be happier if he’s joined by his new best friend, Madisynn.