With the release of Werewolf by Night, Marvel Studios has unveiled a new format for which to tell stories within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The franchise primarily focused on feature films but with Phase 4 they started developing television series. Marvel has now introduced a new format to tell their superhero stories, termed a ‘Marvel Special Presentation,’ television specials set within the MCU. This feels like the natural extension of the ‘Marvel One-Shots,’ a series of short films they made during Phase 1 and 2 that were home video release exclusives.
Marvel kicks off this new format with two releases in 2022, first the Halloween special Werewolf by Night which will be followed up by the holiday-themed Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special set for December 2022. Marvel Studios has recently indicated this Special Presentation format does not only need to apply for holidays but can be used to tell stories for characters who might not be able to support a feature film or whole television series. This could be used to introduce plenty of new heroes, or expand on popular fan-favorite characters similar to Marvel’s One-Off Comics. Here are five Special Presentations we would like to see Marvel do next.
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Jessica Jones and Luke Cage
Netflix
A Marvel Special Presentation might be a great vehicle to reintroduce many of the characters from the various television properties. Daredevil has already returned to the MCU in a major way thanks to roles in Spider-Man: No Way Home and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and will soon appear in Echo and his own television series Daredevil: Born Again. Rumors have circulated about Jessica Jones and Luke Cage returning, but no word has been made yet, but a television special reuniting the characters might be the best call, as it would require less commitment from Krysten Ritter and Mike Colter as they both have busy schedules.
Jessica Jones and Luke Cage have a romantic history in the comics, and the Netflix series touched upon it, but it never got to fully blossom. A Special Presentation could unite the two characters, investigating some type of case together and bringing them closer together while also firmly establishing them within the current MCU.
Howard the Duck
Walt Disney Studios
Howard the Duck is notable for being the star of the first movie ever based on a Marvel comic, and his feature film was a box office bomb and is often regarded as one of the worst movies ever made. Yet the character had a loyal fanbase due to his more adult-skewing underground comics roots from creator Steve Gerber, and has been a fun cameo character in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise and appeared in two episodes of What If…? voiced by Seth Green.
While Howard the Duck likely will never get another movie, the character would make for a one-off special presentation either him stranded on Earth after the events of Avengers: Endgame (where he was seen taking place in the battle against Thanos) or him getting into an adventure in the Marvel cosmos. Since Howard the Duck is often shown with a drink in his hand, he could be running an intergalactic bar which opens the door for a number of cameos.
Hercules
Hercules was teased at the end of Thor: Love and Thunder played by Ted Lasso star Brett Goldstein. It is unclear if and when Hercules will show up again in the MCU as there currently is no announcement regarding another Thor film so Hercules’ future remains unclear.
A television special might be able to give audiences more context for this incarnation of Hercules, by showing him on an adventure of his own. This can either involve looking for Thor to make a bridge between his after-credit cameo and a later story, or just a standard Hercules adventure through an MCU context. With an exciting new character and an award-winning actor, this is a role that needs to get a story soon.
White Tiger
Marvel Comics
While there are plenty of supporting characters in the MCU that would greatly benefit from an expanded story, the Special Presentation format should also be used to introduce new characters and concepts into the franchise. One that Marvel should take notice of is White Tiger. There have been five different characters to take on the mantle of White Tiger. The first, Hector Ayala is notable for being the first Latin American main character in the history of American comics and Marvel’s first Hispanic superhero. The mantle of White Tiger passed down to his niece Angela del Toro and his sister Aya Ayala. The White Tigers get their powers from mystical tiger amulets.
Marvel Studios has put a greater emphasis on diversifying its superhero lineup, so a Latin American superhero would be a great addition to the franchise. The tiger amulets could also fit in nicely with the Phase 4 trend of magical worn items like Shang Chi’s ten rings and Ms. Marvel’s bangles. The character has enough material to warrant a feature film but if Marvel Studios wanted to introduce the character sooner rather than later, a Special Presentation would be a great place to start.
Wong
Disney Platform Distribution
Who else could it be? Since appearing in Doctor Strange back in 2016, Wong has become an instant fan favorite due to the great comedic timing of star Benedict Wong. He has since appeared in Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, What If…?, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and now She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. He has appeared in more MCU projects than Doctor Strange himself. Everybody loves Wong, and fans have been clamoring for more.
A special presentation focused on Wong has plenty of great possibilities. Exploring his life as the Sorcerer’s Supreme, his encounters with other magical characters (maybe a chance for Wong to meet Man-Thing), or even showing him just trying to have a relaxing night at home that keeps getting interrupted, audiences would likely tune in for more Wong. If Madisynn from She-Hulk: Attorney at Law shows up, that is an instant win for Marvel.
