Moon Knight: Everything you need to know about the new MCU superhero

Moon Knight Marvel Studios
Credit: Marvel Studios

Moon Knight is all set to embrace the chaos!

Marvel Studios is back in the game yet again with another action-packed, original live-action mini-series that will introduce us to an all-new drama with its newest hero, Moon Knight. 

Unlike the other Marvel characters like Spider-Man, Captain America, or Ironman, Moon Knight is a lesser-known character who has only appeared in comic books. However, Moon Knight has recently emerged as a primary fan favorite among many die-hard Marvel fans.

Take a look at some character stills from Moon Knight’s official Twitter page:

The series, laden with Egyptian mythology and iconography and directed by Mohamed Diab and filmmaking duo Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, includes a new genre of Marvel Cinematic Universe hero who is vengeful and complicated. 

This mini-series broadens the scope of the MCU’s ever-evolving storytelling with its darker, serious themes. Moon Knight, starring Oscar Isaac, Ethan Hawke, May Calamawy, and others, is intense, mysterious, and thematically edgy.

Check out the official trailer below: 

Marvel Studios’ Moon Knight | Official Trailer | Disney+

Here’s everything that you need to know about the character before you watch Moon Knight on Disney+

Who are you, Moon Knight?

Moon Knight Marvel Studios
Credit: Marvel

Moon Knight is a vigilante who exacts vengeance on Earth after receiving Egyptian God Khonshu’s ceremonial armor, which was granted to all of God’s warriors all through the generations. He has taken on Khonshu’s earthly form and his vengeful fist.

Moon Knight was bestowed with unique abilities by Khonshu, the Egyptian God of the Moon and self-proclaimed God of Vengeance. Moon Knight fights all perceived wrongs while carrying out Khonshu’s orders and bringing vengeance to Earth.

Moon Knight’s debut in the world of Marvel comic 

Werewolf by Night #3
Credit: Marvel Comics | Werewolf by Night #32

In August 1975, Moon Knight debuted in Marvel Comics in Werewolf by Night #32. Dough Moench created the character, which Don Perlin illustrated.

The history of Moon Knight in the comics 

Moon Knight Marvel Studios
Credit: Marvel Comics

Moon Knight, a.k.a. Marc Spector, first appeared in 1975 in issue #32 of the horror comic Werewolf By Night. He was created by writer Doug Moench and artist Don Perlin as a mercenary hired to capture series protagonist Jack Russell, only to later take pity on him and join forces against his employers.

When the character was spun off into his comics, he was radically reimagined as a pulpy, Batman-style hero. The origin story of Moon Knight, as told in 1980’s Moon Knight #1, follows Marc Spector, a member of a mercenary band led by the ruthless soldier of fortune Raoul Bushman.

Marc Spector is now juggling four different personas, including his costumed identity as Moon Knight. Marc’s tenuous grasp on reality is repeatedly suggested throughout his original comic series — not only does he treat his alter egos as separate people, but it’s heavily implied that Marc’s visions of Khonshu are mere hallucinations.

Marvel Studios' Moon Knight
Credit: Marvel 

Later writers would expand on this concept by establishing that Marc has had Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) his entire life and that his alter egos are fully-fledged alternate personalities. While the veracity of Marc’s DID has never been called into question, his relationship with Khonshu is a different story.

For most of Moon Knight’s history, it has been unclear whether Khonshu is an actual entity who did what he did.

What makes Moon Knight unique from other characters?

Moon Knight Marvel Studios
Credit: Marvel

The six-issue 2014 run by writer Warren Ellis and artist Declan Shalvey is mainly responsible for Moon Knight’s rise in popularity over the last decade. Ellis completely reimagines Moon Knight and his character — previously, he was a brooding and insane vigilante who frequently claimed that he wore all white because he wanted his targets to see him coming.

The result is a stylish, trippy, awe-inspiring comic part of a police procedural and horror anthology. The following comic volume, 2016, run by Jeff Lemire and Greg Smallwood, builds on the previous volume’s foundation to create something even more captivatingly strange.

The 14-issue epic by Lemire and Smallwood foregoes the episodic format to delve deep into Marc Spector’s psyche, revealing just how broken and distant he’s become due to Khonshu’s manipulations. 

Marvel Studios' Moon Knight
Credit: Marvel Comics

Moon Knight has established the Midnight Mission, a congregation where people in distress can come to him directly for help after finally breaking free from Khonshu’s influence. Not only that, but he’s begun going to therapy regularly since realizing the importance of his mental health.

Moon Knight, however, is no longer alone and in his fight against evil after being isolated for so long. At the moment, it’s unclear how much of the Moon Knight series will be based on the comics. However, it has been revealed that the Mr. Knight costume will make an appearance. 

What is Moon Knight’s Earthly connection?

Marvel Studios' Moon Knight
Credit: Marvel

Moon Knight’s human alias is Steven Grant, a mild-mannered gift-shop worker who suffers from blackouts and flashbacks to another life. Diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, he is forced to share a body with mercenary Marc Spector. Moon Knight appears to exist as Marc Spector’s alter ego. They must traverse their complicated identities to Egypt’s powerful gods.

Official synopsis of Marvel Studio’s Moon Knight 

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. As Steven/Marc’s enemies converge upon them, they must navigate their complex identities while thrust into a deadly mystery among the powerful gods of Egypt.

Who are the cast members of Moon Knight?

  • Oscar Isaac plays Steven Grant / Marc Spector / Moon Knight
  • Ethan Hawke plays Arthur Harrow
  • May Calamawy plays Layla El-Faouly
  • Gaspard Ulliel plays Midnight Man
  • Lucy Thackeray plays Donna
  • F. Murray Abraham plays Khonshu

How many episodes will be there in the Moon Knight?

It will have 6 episodes, and each episode will be released every Wednesday, just like the previous Hawkeye series.

Some newly released trailers and featurette – 

  • Welcome the Knight 
Welcome the Knight | Marvel Studios’ Moon Knight | Disney+

  • Introducing Moon Knight Featurette
Introducing Moon Knight Featurette | Marvel Studios' Moon Knight | Disney+

Watch Marc Spector embracing the chaos from Marvel Studios’ Moon Knight beginning March 30, 2022, on Disney+.

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