Get ready for Disney Plus to get dark. Since launching this time last year with WandaVision, Marvel Studios’ pioneering TV output couldn’t have gone down better, delivering must-see shows one after the other. The key to success seems to be the studio’s aim to make sure each series is distinct from what’s come before. That looks set to continue into 2022, too, as this first trailer for Moon Knight promises something much more mature and psychological than we’re used to from Marvel.
Star Wars‘ Poe Dameron himself, Oscar Isaac, stars in the title role. Marc Spector, a former U.S. Marine who suffers from dissociative identity disorder, becomes the conduit of the Egyptian moon god Khonshu and is drawn into a deadly war between the deities, all while struggling to balance his multiple personalities. Going by what we’ve already seen of how Isaac transforms himself to play each identity, it seems we’re in for an awards-worthy performance from the Dune star.
May Calamawy and Ethan Hawke also feature, with Hawke playing the villain of the piece, who he’s revealed is inspired by real-life cult leader David Koresh. Similar to The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki, and Hawkeye before it, Moon Knight will run for six episodes of around 40-50 minutes each. The season will be dished out between Mohamed Diab, who’s directing four episodes, and filmmaking duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, who are helming the final two. The Umbrella Academy vet Jeremy Slater serves as showrunner.
Following Kingpin’s role in Hawkeye, Moon Knight‘s darker tone teases that Marvel is willing to venture into the grittier world of the Netflix-Marvel shows at this point, which should please fans to no end. Hopefully, Oscar Isaac’s big MCU debut — no doubt the first appearance of many — will be another slam-dunk for Disney Plus when it premieres this year.