Marvel Studios Special Presentations

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Marvel Studios
Special Presentations
GenreSuperhero
Based onCharacters published
by Marvel Comics
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of specials2
Production
Executive producers
Production companyMarvel Studios
Original release
NetworkDisney+
ReleaseOctober 7, 2022 (2022-10-7) –
present
Related
List of Marvel Cinematic Universe television series

Marvel Studios Special Presentations are a series of television specials produced by Marvel Studios for Disney+, set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the franchise's films and television series. The Marvel Studios Special Presentation banner was revealed alongside the announcement of the first television special, Werewolf by Night (2022), in September 2022. The approximately hour-long specials are envisioned to provide a short look at new characters or concepts to the MCU. The Special Presentations are accompanied by a special fanfare and opening reminiscent of the CBS Special Presentation intro from the 1980s and 1990s.

Werewolf by Night and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022) are included in Phase Four of the MCU, both of which are holiday-themed. Marvel Studios is open to the idea of additional specials, and by February 2025, had begun developing a special with Jon Bernthal focused on his character Frank Castle / Punisher for release in 2026 as part of Phase Six. The Special Presentation format has been praised for how it allowed Marvel Studios to tell contained stories that experiment with genre and style, and could introduce more obscure characters, while also not being beholden to long-form storytelling as with their films and television series.

Development

By September 2018,

Disney's new streaming service Disney+, to be centered on "second tier" characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films who had not and were unlikely to star in their own films.[1] Developing content for Disney+ allowed Marvel Studios to be flexible with formats, such as emulating one-off or annual holiday-themed television specials like A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) and Frosty the Snowman (1969);[2][3] those specials were usually 30 minutes to an hour, which was the length Marvel Studios was envisioning for their specials.[4]

In December 2020, Marvel Studios announced

Brian Gay called the Marvel Studios Special Presentations a "new format" for the studio, with each special meant to be a short look at "either a different story or a different area of the universe",[13] such as introducing new characters or concepts to the MCU, and teasing how they could further integrate into the MCU with future appearances.[4]

Brad Winderbaum confirmed in September that more specials would be developed.[17] In February 2025, a Special Presentation centered on Frank Castle / Punisher was announced to be in development with Jon Bernthal reprising the role as well as co-writing the special;[18] it was planned to be released in 2026.[19]

Logo and fanfare

External videos
video icon Official Marvel Studios Special Presentation Animation by Perception presents the specials' opening fanfare,
Perception
's channel

Special Presentations feature a special multicolored intro with bongo drum music, reminiscent of the

Perception.[21]

Jamie Lovett at

Marvel.com called the fanfare "an absolute bop, and one sure to elicit that same level of excitement" when heard as the broadcast networks' special presentations did.[3] Comic Book Resources's Joshua M. Patton believed this intro would "have a similar effect on new generations of kids" as the older broadcast networks' introductions did, since it "evoke[s] the memory of its CBS counterpart" and signaled to viewers they were "about to see something exciting and new".[20]

Specials

All specials are being released on Disney+ and exist alongside the films and television series of their respective phase.[23]

Phase Four

Main article: Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase Four § Television specials
Television specials of Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase Four
Special[24] Release date Director Writer(s)
Werewolf by Night October 7, 2022 (2022-10-7) Michael Giacchino[10] Heather Quinn and Peter Cameron[25]
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special November 25, 2022 (2022-11-25) James Gunn[26]

Phase Six

Main article: Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase Six § Television specials
Television specials of Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase Six
Special Release date Director Writers Status
Untitled Punisher special
 2026 (2026)[19] Reinaldo Marcus Green[18] Reinaldo Marcus Green and Jon Bernthal[18] In development

Future

In March 2023, journalist

Atlanta, Georgia.[27] Sacha Baron Cohen was expected to reprise the role,[15] after previously being rumored to appear as the character in the Disney+ series Ironheart (2025).[28][29]

Cast and characters

See also: List of Marvel Cinematic Universe television series actors (Marvel Studios) and List of Marvel Cinematic Universe film actors
List indicators
This section includes starring cast members, recurring characters, and notable guest stars, as defined by the FAQ.
  • A dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the special.
  • A C indicates an uncredited cameo role.
  • An F indicates the character appears in a film.
  • An MC indicates a motion-capture-only role.
  • An S indicates the actor was part of the starring cast for the special.
  • A V indicates a voice-only role.
Character 2022 2026
Werewolf by Night The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
Untitled Punisher television special
Introduced in films
Cosmo the Spacedog
 Maria BakalovaV[30]
Drax the Destroyer Dave BautistaS[7]
Groot Vin DieselV S[7]
Mantis Pom KlementieffS[31]
Nebula Karen GillanS[31]
Kraglin Obfonteri
 Sean GunnS[32]
Peter Quill
Star-Lord 		Chris PrattS[7]
Rocket Bradley CooperV S[7]
Yondu Udonta
 Michael RookerV[33]
Steemie Blueliver Stephen Blackehart[34]
Introduced in television series
Frank Castle
Punisher 		Jon BernthalS[18]
Introduced in Werewolf by Night
Azarel Eugenie Bondurant[35]
Barasso Daniel J. Watts[35]
Elsa Bloodstone
 Laura DonnellyS[35]
Ulysses Bloodstone
 Richard DixonV[35]
Verussa Bloodstone
 Harriet Sansom HarrisS[35]
Jovan
Kirk R. Thatcher[35]
Liorn Leonardo Nam[35]
Jack Russell
Werewolf by Night
 Gael García BernalS[35]
Billy Swan Al Hamacher[35]
Ted
Man-Thing
 Carey JonesMC[35][36]
Jeffrey FordV[35]
Introduced in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
Kevin Bacon HimselfS[37]
BzermikitokolokF Rhett MillerS[38]
Kortolbookalia Murry HammondS[38]
Phloko Philip PeeplesS[38]
Kyra Sedgwick HerselfC V[39]
Sliyavastojoo Ken BetheaS[38]

Music

Soundtracks of Phase Four specials
Title U.S. release date Length Composer(s) Label
Marvel Studios' Werewolf by Night (Original Soundtrack) October 7, 2022 (2022-10-07) 41:25 Michael Giacchino Hollywood Records
Marvel Music
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (Original Soundtrack) November 23, 2022 (2022-11-23) 22:44 John Murphy

Reception

Each special is linked to the "Critical response" section of its article.
Critical response of Marvel Studios Special Presentations
Special Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
Werewolf by Night 90% (113 reviews)[40] 69 (17 reviews)[41]
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special 94% (62 reviews)[42] 82 (8 reviews)[43]

Following the release of Werewolf by Night, Tyler Llewyn Taing of

IGN India compared the special format to one-shot comics and to DC Comics's Elseworlds publications, stating the Special Presentations have "elevated" the MCU and could be the franchise's "critical darings". He hoped future specials would be able to introduce unknown characters to audiences through stories that "allows directors and cast members to shine".[46] Richard Newby of The Hollywood Reporter felt the format was "[the] MCU's most exciting prospect", stating that it was "a good idea [to] reduce the number of series, if not movies, and rethink them as Special Presentations, rather than six-to-nine-week commitments... [to] free up audiences and renew their investment in the universe, and allow filmmakers to stretch themselves creatively."[47]

Documentary

A documentary special for Werewolf by Night, titled

Director by Night, was announced in September 2022,[48][49] with Anthony Giacchino serving as writer and director.[50][51] Director by Night was released on Disney+ on November 4, 2022,[49] marketed with the "Marvel Studios Special Presentation" branding.[50]

See also

References

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    .
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