10 Ways Marvel Studios Has Already Set Up A Long-Wanted MCU Team-Up Movie

Marvel Studios has already planted many clues hinting at the pending formation of the long-awaited Midnight Sons team in the MCU. Marvel Comics Midnight Sons team made its first full appearance in 1992’s Ghost Rider (Vol. 3) #31, bringing together some of the Marvel Universe’s most powerful supernatural heroes and antiheroes to battle some of the darkest threats in Marvel Comics. While there has been no official confirmation from Marvel Studios, the Midnight Sons team has been heavily-rumored to be forming in the MCU, and the Multiverse Saga has included many teases pointing at this exciting team joining forces soon.

The original Midnight Sons team in Marvel Comics comprised nine powerful and mystical characters, including Nightstalkers Blade, Frank Drake and Hannibal King, Morbius, Danny Ketch’s Ghost Rider, former Ghost Rider Johnny Blaze, and Darkhold Redeemers Sam Buchanan, Victoria Montesi and Louise Hastings. The team first formed to battle Lilith, Mother of All Demons, brought together with the help of Doctor Strange, and they would later battle adversaries such as Zarathos, Dracula and Mephisto. In recent years, Marvel Studios has dropped many hints that the Midnight Sons will be forming in the MCU, though it remains to be seen exactly when.

10
Werewolf By Night Introduced Monsters To The MCU

Werewolf By Night Was The MCU’s First Special Presentation

Prior to the MCU’s Phase 4, the idea of monsters and supernatural threats hadn’t really been explored. Michael Giacchino’s Werewolf by Night Special Presentation marked a huge shift in this regard, as many iconic monsters from Marvel Comics were teased, while Gael García Bernal’s Jack Russell, a.k.a. Werewolf by Night, and Man-Thing were introduced in full force. Both Werewolf by Night and Man-Thing are members of later Midnight Sons teams in Marvel Comics, so bringing the team together in the MCU would be a great way to continue their uncertain stories after escaping from Bloodstone Manor in Werewolf by Night.

9
Ghost Rider Exists In The MCU’s Multiverse

Robbie Reyes’ Ghost Rider Was Featured In Agents Of SHIELD Season 4

While Ghost Rider hasn’t yet made his way into the MCU proper, the popular character has been confirmed to exist in the MCU’s multiverse, meaning it may not be long before he makes his official MCU debut. Nicolas Cage portrayed Johnny Blaze’s Ghost Rider in 2007’s Ghost Rider and its 2011 sequel, Spirit of Vengeance, while Gabriel Luna debuted as Robbie Reyes’ Ghost Rider in Marvel Television’s Agents of SHIELD season 4. Many actors have been fan-cast as the MCU’s Ghost Rider, including Keanu Reeves and Norman Reedus, and his introduction would add another piece to the Midnight Sons puzzle.

8
She-Hulk: Attorney At Law Teased Vampires Ahead Of Blade’s Debut

Saracen Debuted In She-Hulk: Attorney At Law

Blade is one of the most legendary members of Marvel Comics’ Midnight Sons team, and Mahershala Ali will be bringing him into live-action in 2025. Prior to the vampire hunter’s debut, however, Marvel Studios has been teasing the existence of the MCU’s vampires, specifically in 2022’s She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, which marked the introduction of Terrence Clowe’s Saracen, a vampire who attends Emil Blonsky’s retreat. In Marvel Comics, Saracen was an adversary of Blade who resided beneath the Vatican City, and while his true origins in the MCU are unknown, his inclusion in Phase 4 proved that vampires are about.

7
Eternals Teased Dane Whitman’s Future As The Black Knight

Kit Harrington Portrayed Dane Whitman In Eternals

As well as introducing a new MCU team, 2021’s Eternals also debuted Kit Harrington’s Dane Whitman. In Marvel Comics, Whitman wields the Ebony Blade as the Black Knight, a powerful legacy hero who fights among many superhero teams. While the Black Knight isn’t involved with the Midnight Sons in Marvel Comics, Eternals’ post-credits scene teased Whitman wielding the Ebony Blade, though he was interrupted by Mahershala Ali’s first voice cameo as Blade, warning that Whitman might not be ready. The established connection between Whitman and Blade means the Black Knight will likely be featured on the MCU’s Midnight Sons team.

6
Oscar Isaac Voiced His Midnight Sons Hopes

Moon Knight’s MCU Future Is Currently Unclear

Oscar Isaac debuted as Marc Spector, and his alters Steven Grant and Jake Lockley, in 2022’s Moon Knight, bringing the Fist of Khonshu to life in the darker corners of the MCU. While Moon Knight’s future in the MCU is still unclear, Oscar Isaac voiced his hopes of Moon Knight joining the Midnight Sons team during an appearance at the Middle East Film and Comic Con (via X). Oscar Isaac’s Midnight Sons hopes are well-earned, as Moon Knight is a fantastic addition to Marvel Comics’ Midnight Sons team, and would fit in with the gritty tones of the MCU’s team.

I thought there was an interesting opportunity with Midnight Suns. There’s such interesting characters in there, and now that we’ve set the groundwork with learning who Marc, Steven, Jake are, it could be an interesting opportunity to see him as part of a team and what that dynamic would be. So I think that would be exciting, I think for me, I definitely hope there’s some room to explore that possibility.

5
WandaVision Introduced The MCU’s Darkhold

The Darkhold Was Seemingly Destroyed In Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness

While the MCU’s Darkhold, the Book of the Damned, was destroyed in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the fact that it existed at all means that the Darkhold Redeemers could also be in the MCU. This team protected the Darkhold, ensuring it didn’t fall into the wrong hands, and three of the team’s members helped to form the original Midnight Sons team. There has been no mention of the Darkhold Redeemers in the MCU, but since Kathryn Hahn’s Agatha Harkness had been in possession of the book, the Redeemers could be seen in the MCU’s Agatha: Darkhold Diaries.

4
Elsa Bloodstone Has Been Set Up As A Very Powerful Figure

Laura Donnelly Portrayed Elsa Bloodstone In Werewolf By Night

As well as introducing many monsters to the world of the MCU, 2022’s Werewolf by Night also debuted the monster hunters. One of them, Laura Donnelly’s Elsa Bloodstone, turned to the side of Jack Russell’s Werewolf by Night and Man-Thing, and eventually assumed control of the mystical Bloodstone and Bloodstone Manor, her birthright. Her possession of the Bloodstone, which has the ability to track and harm monsters, makes Elsa Bloodstone incredibly powerful, so she may have been set up as the Midnight Sons team’s Nick Fury figure, with Bloodstone Manor perhaps becoming the team’s base of operations in the MCU.

3
Doctor Strange Became A Darker Character In Phase 4

Doctor Strange Experimented With The Darkhold In The MCU’s Phase 4

While Elsa Bloodstone could certainly become the Nick Fury figure to the MCU’s Midnight Sons, this duty is more likely to fall on Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange, who assumes a similar role in Marvel Comics. Luckily, Phase 4 saw Doctor Strange become a much more twisted superhero, as he dabbled with the Darkhold, inhabited his variant’s corpse and sprouted a third eye in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ final moments. While Strange is currently off-world dealing with an impending incursion, he could return to bring together some of the MCU’s most unorthodox heroes as the first Midnight Sons.​​​​​​​

2
Blade Will Expand The MCU’s Supernatural Stories

Blade Is Expected To Release In November 2025

Marvel Studios has been dabbling with supernatural characters in separate, standalone stories, so far, but Mahershala Ali’s debut as Eric Brooks in the MCU’s upcoming Blade reboot may begin to bring these stories together. Blade is perhaps the most iconic member of the Midnight Sons, and a very exciting addition to the MCU’s Phase 5, particularly with Ali’s casting, and 2025’s Blade is expected to expand the MCU’s supernatural corners. Blade will include vampires, hunters and monsters of all descriptions, perfectly setting the tone for the Midnight Sons team, and perhaps even providing the first hint at the team’s formation.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

1
Marvel Studios’ Upcoming Projects Will Debut More Midnight Sons Members

Many Midnight Sons Members From Marvel Comics Are Coming To The MCU

While many potential Midnight Sons members are already in the MCU, there are many more in Marvel Comics who have yet to debut. Some, such as Magik, Doctor Voodoo and Daimon Hellstrom, haven’t yet been teased, while others have been confirmed to be joining the MCU very soon. Ironheart will debut Parker Robbins’ Hood, Agatha: Darkhold Diaries will introduce witch Jennifer Kale, Wolverine is set to make his debut in Deadpool & Wolverine and Marvel Television’s Iron Fist may have been made MCU canon. Each of these characters debuting in the MCU could provide more hints towards the Midnight Sons.