Written by Joy Lyn Parohinog Francisco
Werewolf by Night’s Laura Donnelly prepared for Elsa Bloodstone the way any actor should. She dove right in.
As it happens, Laura Donnelly actually grew up exposed to the genre where Werewolf by Night belongs. In a recent interview, Donnelly studied Bloodstone as much as she could. She shared:
I went and read whatever I could on Elsa. I got the Nextwave comics and her one-shot novel that had come out recently and just did all the research that I could in those terms as well.
Apart from this, she actively discussed how to bring out the best in her portrayal of the character. She says:
I love her attitude. Kind of sarcastic, really fun. The fact that she’s having what seems like a genuinely good time in these ridiculously dangerous situations, I just adored. But then that also of course made me question, ‘How did she get to that point? How do you become that person?
Laura Donnelly Read Comics To Prepare For Werewolf By Night
Image: Disney Plus
Taking notes and guidance from director Michael Giacchino and Heather Quinn, the Halloween special’s co-writer, she shared her fascination of Elsa Bloodstone:
We had discussed how we wanted to show an “Elsa” who was somewhat more human and watch her on that journey a bit where she still has somewhere to go. It can be fun just playing a straight-up badass, but you want to also have layers to a character. To explore her vulnerability and her trying to figure out who she is in the context of her world right now is what attracted me as an actor.
Werewolf by Night successfully showed another side to the MCU. In addition, Giacchino did a wonderful job introducing Jack Russell into the MCU. In turn, Gael Garcia Bernal played the character just right. His amiable disposition injects humor to the fact that he is actually the most powerful in that group of hunters. By powerful, we mean deadly. Which is what the special showed towards the end.
In less than an hour, the audience got to know so much about the characters. Jack Russell as the Werewolf and Bloodstone as the prodigal daughter of the deceased. Also, my favorite part in the movie was when Russell tried to calm Bloodstone’s fears. Saying that they had a few days until he turns only to find out that the Bloodstone can hasten it. He had to tell Bloodstone to keep eye contact and “sniffed” her for her safety. Then, finally telling her that it has worked only once before. Very reassuring.
Definitely, viewers would like to know more about the three characters that survived that eventful night. Russell, Bloodstone, and Man-Thing, whom we adorably remember as Ted.
Laura Donnelly Read Comics To Prepare For Werewolf By Night
Image: Disney Plus
Laura Donnelly claims that there aren’t any follow up plans for her character in the future. At least not that she knows of. Be that as it may, she is wide open to take on the role again hopefully soon. She adds:
I would do anything that they would let me do. If they call me and tell me what I’m doing, I’ll be very happy. I have no idea though. That one’s above my pay grade.
Having read the novel and selected comics in preparation for the role, Donnelly knows her character has so much story to tell in the future of the MCU. Considering that Bloodstone has storylines involving the Avengers, the Thunderbolts and even Blade, any of those would be possible. She even got to encounter Deadpool. Furthermore, she even had a storyline when the Multiverse collapsed. She continues:
But yeah, she’s part of all of these different team-ups, and I love the idea of that.
Despite the fact that Mahershala Ali’s Blade is still to resume production by spring of 2023, the plans are afoot. Bloodstone has a great possibility for the MCU. One can even see Oscar Isaac’s Moon Knight interact with her and Bernal’s Russell.
Would fans want to see her again in future MCU projects? Without a doubt, I am.