Draft:Howard the Duck (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

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Howard the Duck
Marvel Cinematic Universe character
First appearanceGuardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Based on
Howard the Duck
by
Adapted by
Voiced by
In-universe information
AffiliationRavagers
SpouseDarcy Lewis (What If...?)

Howard the Duck is a fictional character voiced by Seth Green in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Howard is depicted as an alcoholic anthropomorphic duck included in the collection of Taneleer Tivan, who upon leaving proceeds to seduce numerous women across the galaxy before travelling to Earth with the Ravagers to assist the Avengers in their assault against Thanos. He is the second incarnation of the character in film, after Chip Zien's and Ed Gale's performances in Howard the Duck (1986).

As of 2021, the character has appeared in four films: Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023), as well as a silent cameo appearance in Avengers: Endgame (2019).[1] Green also voices versions of the character from other universes in the animated series What If...? (2021–present), as well as reprising the character in the non-MCU animated series Guardians of the Galaxy (2015–19) and Ultimate Spider-Man (2016). Green's performance as the character has received a universally positive critical reception.

Concept and creation[edit]

Seth Green at the San Diego Comic-Con 2011

In August 2014, regarding the post-credits scene of Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) introducing Howard the Duck, voiced by Seth Green,[2] James Gunn revealed that the scene did not involve when it was originally filmed, rather he was added during post-production,[3] a decision made by "some combination of [Gunn] and the editor Fred Raskin" in reference to the Guardians of the Galaxy being a little-known Marvel Comics property prior to the film's release, and the negative response to the 1986 Howard the Duck film, to indicate the crew "were having a bit of fun. We don't take ourselves too seriously."[4] As the decision to add the character was made late in the post-production process, he had to be designed that day, before being handed off to Sony Pictures Imageworks to animate, who also redesigned Howard for his appearance in the sequels Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023),[4] with Gunn having "redesigned him on every movie because I've never been satisfied and we were rushed the first couple times".[5]

The character was also meant to make a cameo appearance in the live-action film Avengers: Infinity War (2018), voiced by Ken Jeong instead of Green, but the scene was cut; Green ultimately returned to voice the character in What If...? (2021–present).[6]

Future[edit]

In August 2014, Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn said, "It's possible Howard could reappear as more of a character in the Marvel [Cinematic] Universe. But if people think that's going to lead to a Howard the Duck movie, that's probably not going to happen in the next four years. Who knows after that?"[7] In 2016, Rob Zombie claimed that he had pitched to Marvel a Howard the Duck movie, but that they ultimately turned him down.[8] In a June 2018 interview, Lea Thompson said that she was going to Marvel to pitch a new Howard the Duck movie, and expressed hope at directing it.[9] In February 2019, Hulu intended to air a Howard the Duck animated series to be written and executive produced by Kevin Smith and Dave Willis which would have led up to a crossover special involving MODOK, Hit-Monkey, Tigra, and Dazzler called The Offenders.[10] However, in January 2020, it was announced that the Howard the Duck series, along with Tigra & Dazzler were cancelled.[11] In 2021, following the release of a trailer for the Disney+ animated series What If...?, which prominently featured Howard, Thompson once again indicated her interest in directing the film.[12] She later revealed that she had pitched the film, following Howard stranded on Earth after the events of Avengers: Endgame, with Joe Quinones supplying artwork. While she received a positive response, Marvel Studios ultimately passed on it. However, she revealed that they did have future plans for the character.[13] In September 2021, Green expressed interest in future "Howard-centric episodes" of What If...? being produced, as well as Hulu's proposed Howard the Duck series, in which he would have reprised his role, being revived for Disney+ as a spin-off of What If...?, following Howard's adventures with Gwen Poole.[14][15][16]

Characterization[edit]

In developing the character of Howard the Duck with James Gunn, Seth Green did an impression of Danny DeVito "being sort of a gruff and cynical sarcastic character [who] doesn't know what the Earth species of duck even is and doesn't think of himself that way and is offended by that generalization."[17] For the What If...? episode "What If... Thor Were an Only Child?", A. C. Bradley chose to pair up Darcy Lewis and Howard the Duck while performing the scratch track for Lewis' voice, given her ability to imitate Lewis and her love for Howard and voice actor Seth Green.[18]

Fictional character biography[edit]

Life as a Living Exhibit[edit]

Further information: Guardians of the Galaxy (film)

In 2014, Howard is introduced as a living exhibit in the Collector's museum on Knowhere.[19] When the Guardians of the Galaxy visit the Collector and attempt to sell him the Power Stone, his slave Carina attempts to use it, only to cause an explosion that kills her and frees all of the Collector's imprisoned creatures.[20] In a post-credits scene, Howard has a drink with the Collector and Cosmo the Spacedog amidst the wreckage.[21]

Life on Contraxia[edit]

Further information: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Avengers: Endgame

Several months later, Howard moves to the prostitution planet Contraxia, where while seducing a woman, tells her she is "out of luck until she's gone duck", before the pair laugh hysterically.[22] After surviving the Blip and continuing to live on Contraxia for the following nine years,[23] Howard joins the Ravagers in 2023 in travelling to Earth to fight in the battle against the Thanos of an alternate timeline, wielding a gun.[24][1]

Life on Knowhere[edit]

Further information: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Years later, Howard has come to live on Knowhere, ruled by Nebula, hosting a card game with Kraglin and Cosmo, discussing the latter's former status as a regular dog sent into space by the Soviet Union.[25]

Alternate versions[edit]

See also: Guardians of the Galaxy (TV series), Ultimate Spider-Man (TV series), and What If...? (TV series)

Several alternate variants of Howard appear in the animated series Guardians of the Galaxy (2015–19), Ultimate Spider-Man (2016),[26] and What If...? (2021–present), with Green reprising his role.[27]

Mutiny against Web Beard[edit]

Further information: Return to the Spider-Verse

In an alternate 2016, after previously serving as the pirate captain Web Beard's first mate aboard the pirate ship Groot, Howard joins the crew in launching a mutiny. They attempt to make Web Beard and a multiverse-traveling Spider-Man and Kid Arachnid walk the plank, but a Kraken attacks the Groot. In response, Spider-Man and Kid Arachnid convince the pirates to reconcile and join forces to drive off the monster. Following this, the crew agree to serve under Web Beard once more.[26]

Hiring the Guardians of the Galaxy[edit]

Further information: Guardians of the Galaxy (TV series)

In an alternate 2015, Howard is an old acquaintance of Rocket Raccoon. In the episode "Lyin' Eyes", Rocket and Drax the Destroyer find Howard reading a newspaper in a display case at a Knowhere auction house. In the episode "Happy Together", as part of a deal with the Collector, Howard hires the Guardians of the Galaxy to obtain a Kree item. While making the exchange, Phyla-Vell attacks the Guardians while Howard escapes to give the item to the Collector in exchange for seeing the outside of his ship. In the episode "Long Distance Runaround", the Guardians find and apprehend Howard, who confesses to setting them up and reveals the Collector betrayed him. The Collector sabotages the Guardians' starship, the Milano, to manipulate them into leading him to the Kree homeworld, Hala, so he can shrink it. However, Howard places a tracker on the Collector's ship for the Guardians so they can follow him. In the episode "With a Little Help From My Friends", Star-Lord recruits Howard to help him fight the Serpent.[28]

Meeting Star-Lord T'Challa[edit]

Further information: What If... T'Challa Became a Star-Lord?

In an alternate 2014, Howard is kept in the Collector's museum until Star-Lord T'Challa frees him to help the latter find an artifact called the Embers of Genesis. Howard initially agrees, but stops to get a drink, forcing T'Challa to continue alone.[29]

Marriage to Darcy Lewis[edit]

Further information: What If... Thor Were an Only Child?

In an alternate 2011, Howard attends Thor's party on Earth and ends up marrying Darcy Lewis in Las Vegas.[30][31]

Forming the Guardians of the Galaxy[edit]

Further information: What If... Nebula Joined the Nova Corps?

In an alternate timeline where Ronan overthrew and slayed Thanos in 2014, five years later, by 2019, Howard is among those left stranded under the sealed-off planet of Xandar, becoming a crime boss and head of the Howard the Duck Casino. Friends with Corpsman Nebula of the Nova Corps, after she is betrayed by Nova Prime, who plans on opening the planet to Ronan, on learning his liquor license will likely be lost, he forms the Guardians of the Galaxy with Nebula and his employees Korg, Miek, and Groot.[32]

Appearances[edit]

Seth Green voices Howard the Duck in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films Guardians of the Galaxy (2014),[19] Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017),[22] Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023),[25] and the animated series What If...? (2021).[29] In addition, the character makes an uncredited cameo appearance in Avengers: Endgame (2019),[24] appearing in a deleted scene in Avengers: Infinity War (2018), voiced by Ken Jeong instead of Green.[6] Green also voices Howard in the non-MCU animated series Guardians of the Galaxy (2015–19), an alternate continuation of the 2014 MCU film.

Reception[edit]

Giving "What If... T'Challa Became a Star-Lord?" 3.5 out of 5 stars, Kirsten Howard of Den of Geek complimented Howard the Duck's appearance and interactions with Star-Lord T'Challa, feeling that it was "hard not to get choked up during the episode" knowing What If...? was Boseman's final performance.[33] After the release of "What If... Thor Were an Only Child?", Marvel released a character poster for the episode, featuring Grandmaster, Thor, and Howard the Duck together with a quote from the episode, to positive critical reception.[34]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Jeong voices the character in a Avengers: Infinity War (2018) deleted scene.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b VFX Artists React to AVENGERS ENDGAME Bad & Great CGi, retrieved 2020-02-08
  2. ^ Webb, Charles (August 1, 2014). "Who Was That Voice In The Guardians of The Galaxy End Credits Scene? [Massive Spoilers]". Nerdist. Archived from the original on August 2, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  3. ^ Collis, Clark (August 5, 2014). "'Guardians of the Galaxy': Benicio Del Toro may not know he's in a scene with you-know-who". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 6, 2014. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
  4. ^ a b Plumb, Ali (August 12, 2014). "James Gunn On Guardians Of The Galaxy's Secrets". Empire. Archived from the original on March 14, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  5. ^ Legacy, Spencer (May 9, 2023). "New Howard the Duck MCU Design Explained by James Gunn". Yahoo.com. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Mithaiwala, Mansoor (August 13, 2018). "Infinity War Script Originally Included a Howard the Duck Cameo". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on December 14, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  7. ^ Plumb, Ali. "James Gunn On Guardians Of The Galaxy's Secrets – The Story Behind Howard The Duck's Credit Sting". Empire. Archived from the original on August 16, 2014. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  8. ^ 31 Questions With Rob Zombie. YouTube. Shudder. December 23, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  9. ^ Tall, Kevin (June 12, 2018). "Lea Thompson Looks Back & To The Future, Talks Directing Debut, Saying 'Me Too' & Rebooting A Past Project [Exclusive]". Big World Tale. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
  10. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (February 11, 2019). "Marvel, Hulu Set Four-Show Animated Slate". The Hollywood Reporter.
  11. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (January 24, 2020). "Marvel's 'Howard the Duck,' 'Tigra & Dazzler' Dead at Hulu". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
  12. ^ Phillips, TC (July 9, 2021). "Howard The Duck Star Proposes Directing A Reboot For Marvel". Screen Rant. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  13. ^ Deloss, John (July 26, 2021). "Original Howard The Duck Movie Star Lea Thompson Pitched Marvel A Reboot". Screen Rant. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  14. ^ Davis, Brandon (September 21, 2021). "What If Seth Green Talked Howard the Duck's Marvel Past And Future...? (Exclusive Interview)". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  15. ^ Grauso, Alisha (September 21, 2021). "Seth Green Interview: Marvel's What If...?". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  16. ^ Swann, Erik (September 21, 2021). "What If…?'s Seth Green Has Ideas For Howard The Duck-Centric Episodes, And They're Pretty Great". CinemaBlend. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  17. ^ LiteraryJoe (July 10, 2020). "Guardians of the Galaxy Exclusive: Howard The Duck Actor Seth Green Discusses The Foul-Mouthed Waterfowl". Comic Book Movie. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  18. ^ Shannon Miller, Liz (October 9, 2021). "Why Tony Stark Kept Dying In 'Marvel's What If' Season 1, As Explained by Head Writer A. C. Bradley". Collider. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  19. ^ a b Webb, Charles (August 1, 2014). "Who Was That Voice in the Guardians of the Galaxy End Credits Scene? [Massive Spoilers]". Nerdist. Archived from the original on August 2, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  20. ^ Lussier, Germain (July 29, 2014). "James Gunn and Kevin Feige Tease Guardians of the Galaxy Easter Eggs". /Film. Archived from the original on July 29, 2014.
  21. ^ Watkins, Gwynne (July 31, 2014). "Is Howard the Duck About to Make a Comeback?". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on November 22, 2014.
  22. ^ a b Owen, Luke (April 26, 2017). "There are two fun cameos in the credits of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 to keep an eye out for". Flickering Myth. Archived from the original on April 27, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  23. ^ Bradley, Bill (May 12, 2018). "'Avengers: Infinity War' Directors Reveal Who Died And Survived Off Screen". HuffPost. Archived from the original on May 14, 2018. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  24. ^ a b Di Placido, Dani (April 27, 2019). "7 Subtle Details You Might Have Missed In 'Avengers: Endgame'". Forbes. Archived from the original on October 13, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  25. ^ a b Watson, Fay (May 5, 2022). "Every Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 cameo, listed and explained". GamesRadar. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  26. ^ a b Goldman, Eric (August 23, 2016). "Ultimate Spider-Man Introducing Spider-Gwen Into Animation in 'Return to the Spider-Verse' Storyline". IGN. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016.
  27. ^ Campbell, Scott (August 1, 2021). "Here Are All the Marvel Actors Doing Voices in 'What If...?'". Collider. Archived from the original on August 2, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  28. ^ Sobon, Nicole (April 21, 2018). "Agents of SHIELD Star Headed to Guardians of the Galaxy Animated Series". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on June 21, 2018.
  29. ^ a b Gallagher, Simon (August 18, 2021). "What If…? Episode 2 Cast Guide: Every New & Returning MCU Character". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  30. ^ Chitwood, Adam (September 22, 2021). "Here's the Full Voice Cast for 'Marvel's What If…?' Episode 7". TheWrap. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  31. ^ Shannon Miller, Liz (October 9, 2021). "Why Tony Stark Kept Dying In 'Marvel's What If' Season 1, As Explained by Head Writer A. C. Bradley". Collider. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  32. ^ Connor, Casey (December 18, 2023). ""A Never-Ending Loop of Reboots": Howard the Duck Calls Out the MCU Machine". Screen Rant. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  33. ^ Howard, Kirsten (August 18, 2021). "Marvel's What If…? Episode 2 Review: T'Challa Becomes a Phenomenal Star-Lord". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  34. ^ What If...? [@whatifofficial] (September 24, 2021). "🚨 Alert the Realms 🚨 You don't want to miss the party in the seventh episode of Marvel Studios' #WhatIf, now streaming on @DisneyPlus. Art by @OrlandoArocena" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021 – via Twitter.

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