WARNING: The following contains major spoiler for Moon Knight, Episode 1, "The Goldfish Problem," now streaming on Disney+.
Fantastical as Moon Knight's protagonist may be, the show assures fans that it will stay true to the historical and mythological roots that inspired his character.
A new Moon Knight feature made in collaboration with National Geographic, titled "World Builders," revealed how thoroughly the show's production crew recreated Ancient Egyptian iconography for its sets and story. According to production designer Stefania Cella, "What was challenging is to do something that has a historical feeling, to stay in the world of Ancient Egypt." Notable details include using the "names and roles of the Gods" in accordance with their mythology, per Egyptologist Ramy Romany, and how, according to Executive Producer Grant Curtis, "We did research with how a tomb would look, how a sarcophagus would look" while designing props.
Moon Knight's pilot, "The Goldfish Problem" established its story as a battle between two key Egyptian deities -- Khonshu and Ammit -- while teasing protagonist Steven Grant's vast pantheon knowledge despite his lowly museum gift store worker status.
This comes after director Mohamed Diab criticized DC Comic films for their inaccurate portrayals of Egypt, singling out Wonder Woman 1984's Egypt scene for issues like including a sheik and making the landscape feel generic. Diab also expressed displeasure at Black Adam for using the protagonist's modern Kahndaq birthplace "as an excuse to cast non-Egyptians, when it was obviously meant to be in Egypt," as Black Adam was initially from Ancient Egypt in the comics.
First appearing as an antagonist in 1975's Werewolf by Night #32, Moon Knight has since evolved into an antihero who struggles with dissociative identity disorder. This mental health attribute is central to Moon Knight's story, with Spencer suffering from what he initially believes to be sleepwalking, but is actually his Marc Spector persona taking over.
Moon Knight's premiere saw Steven become officially aware of Marc's presence -- and by extension Khonshu, who regularly shows an intense dislike for Steven -- following an encounter with cult leader Arthur Harrow (Ethan Hawke) and a plot involving a mysterious scarab Steven stole as Marc, as well as a jackal creature Harrow sends after him to get the scarab back.
New episodes of Moon Knight air every Wednesday on Disney+.
Source: YouTube