Early last month, Golden Globe winner Gael Garcia Bernal joined the cast of Marvel Studios Halloween Special, Werewolf By Night. At the time of his casting, it was widely assumed that Bernal would be playing Jake Gomez, the most recent Marvel Comics’ character to carry the burden of lycanthropy. A new rumor from The Illuminerdi contradicts that report and indicates that Bernal is instead playing Jack Russell, the original Werewolf By Night.
In the comics, lycanthropy has been part of Russell’s family line dating back to 1795 when his ancestor, Grigori Russoff first became a werewolf after being bitten by one following a battle with Dracula, of course. The curse of the werewolf was passed through generations, with some assistance from the Darkhold (which now plays a prominent part in the MCU), until it manifested in Russell. Over time, Russell used his powers as a werewolf to battle evil, serving at one point as part of the Midnight Sons.
It’s worth noting that the Illuminderi’s report indicates that another “by nighter”, Vampire By Night, could be joining the party in Werewolf By Night. That character, Nina Price, is the niece of Russell and a vampire/werewolf hybird. Price carried the lycanthropy in her DNA and was further changed after being, of course, bitten by a vampire.
Werewolf By Night is set to go into production in February and is being billed as a “one-off movie” for Disney Plus. It is expected to complete filming by the end of March and ready to stream for Spooky Season 2022.
Source: The Illuminerdi
