Making Marvel Studios' Moon Knight Costume!

Summary

In this behind-the-scenes look at the making of the *Moon Knight* costume, the team shares the immense effort and creativity behind its design. From the collaborative process with Marvel's visual development and costume designer to the intricate details like bandage layers, hieroglyphic prints, and flexible materials, every aspect was meticulously crafted. The team emphasizes the iterative process, including adjusting techniques for movement and comfort, while maintaining authenticity. With over a thousand custom-made pieces, the costume stands as a testament to innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork in superhero design.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Moon Knight costume is a highly detailed and labor-intensive creation, involving a collaborative process between multiple departments.
• 😀 The costume's bandage effect was achieved through individual strips of fabric, bonded and sewn together to create the illusion of layers.
• 😀 A total of 1,013 separate pieces were used to construct the Moon Knight costume, including soft parts and intricate gold shielding.
• 😀 Hidden details such as hieroglyphs and moon-shaped components are integrated into the design for added depth and narrative meaning.
• 😀 The costume was designed with practicality in mind, using a separate, removable mask and various methods to ensure actor comfort during stunts.
• 😀 The team used innovative bonding technology and custom techniques to create a seamless, flexible fit for the costume that would not restrict movement.
• 😀 Collaboration with the costume designer and other departments, including digital artists, was essential to bring the intricate design to life.
• 😀 The pants were designed to echo the design of the upper part of the costume, incorporating tactical features and hieroglyphic prints.
• 😀 Footwear was handled by a specialist, Jitterbug Jeff, who worked closely with the team to ensure custom-made boots were crafted based on detailed measurements.
• 😀 Airbrushing techniques were used to add subtle depth and dimension to the costume, ensuring it looked lifelike while maintaining flexibility for stunts.
• 😀 The costume was created under a tight schedule, with a quick turnaround time, making the design process both challenging and exciting for the team.

Q & A

What was the initial challenge in designing the Moon Knight costume?

The initial challenge was figuring out how to create the illusion of bandages wrapped around the body, without making it too time-consuming for the actor to get dressed. The team experimented with various methods before deciding to use individual strips to mimic the bandages.

How many separate pieces make up the Moon Knight costume?

The Moon Knight costume is made up of 1,013 individual pieces, all carefully cut and assembled.

What special techniques were used in the costume's construction?

The costume used a combination of bonding technology, sewing, and gluing to integrate different elements. Special attention was paid to making sure there were no visible seams, like underarm seams, and creating a seamless, fluid look.

Why did the team incorporate gold shielding and hidden hieroglyphs in the costume?

The gold shielding and hidden hieroglyphs added layers of depth and detail to the costume, making it feel more integrated and authentic. The hieroglyphs included messages like 'Rise and live again,' enriching the narrative and character of Moon Knight.

How did the team ensure the actor could breathe and take breaks while wearing the Moon Knight costume?

The costume was designed to allow the actor to take breaks without compromising the look. A curved safe version was created, and the mask and other components could be removed for comfort, especially during the pandemic when health protocols were in place.

How did the design of the pants differ from the top portion of the costume?

The pants had a tactical design, incorporating cartouches and hieroglyphs to echo the intricate details of the top portion. The goal was to integrate these elements without making the entire costume look like a single, cohesive piece.

What role did the production designer play in the costume design process?

The production designer, along with the actor and costume designer, collaborated with the team, offering input and guidance. The design was fluid, with constant back-and-forth discussions, sampling, and adjustments to ensure the final look was aligned with the overall vision.

How did the team approach the creation of the gloves and van braces?

The gloves and van braces went through several iterations, including fabric versions, before settling on a more durable and sleek design. The van braces, for example, were created using ZBrush to achieve a clean and detailed reduction pattern, rather than relying on fabric alone.

What were the key considerations when designing the footwear for the Moon Knight costume?

Footwear was designed in collaboration with Jitterbug Jeff, a footwear specialist. Extensive foot measurements were taken to ensure a perfect fit. The boots had to be both functional for stunts and true to the design of the character.

How did the team tackle the challenge of integrating a cape that maintained a clean silhouette?

The cape design required careful planning to ensure it looked clean while still having the dramatic shape needed for Moon Knight. The team decided to seam and plate the cape to avoid fabric bulk and ensure the pleats and drape came from a specific central point, maintaining a sleek silhouette.