Moon Knight: Will Jean-Paul Duchamp Be In the Show?

This article contains mild spoilers for Marvel’s Moon Knight

When it comes to throwing in Easter eggs to get people talking, there’s nothing easier for a superhero movie or show than quickly revealing a list of names. Whether it’s a list of mutant filenames on a computer screen in X-Men 2 or Bucky Barnes’ list of people to get closure from in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it’s an easy way to throw out some references or even hint at future appearances. The first episode of Moon Knight is a little more blatant about its name dropping.

As Oscar Isaac’s Steven Grant starts to slowly uncover the truth about his rampant blackouts, he discovers a hidden compartment in his home. There, he sees a very dated Motorola Razr. There are a ton of missed calls, all coming from “Layla,” except one noticeably labeled “Duchamp.” That could mean none other than Jean-Paul Duchamp, otherwise known as Frenchie.

Who is Jean-Paul Duchamp? The short version is that if Moon Knight is Marvel’s Batman, then Duchamp is Marvel’s Alfred. Of course, there’s more to it than that. Instead of a butler, he’s Moon Knight’s assistant and mentor. He’s less about dusting shelves and more about piloting moon-themed planes and helicopters in the heat of adventure.

He was introduced in Werewolf by Night #32 in 1975 by Doug Moench and Don Perlin. This was Moon Knight’s first storyline and before things were retconned, the idea behind the character was that he was a mercenary given the Moon Knight identity by a bunch of rich jerks who wanted him to beat up and bring in the titular werewolf. Frenchie made his first appearance by kicking through a window and kidnapping the werewolf’s friends.

Being that this was 1975 Marvel, not only was he French, but he was FRENCH AS HELL.

“Marc – I have zee controls at maximum speed! Zee chopper, she will rise no faster–! But you have been hit – oui!”

Duchamp was a member of the French Foreign Legion who left and became a mercenary. He became a mentor to Marc Spector and the two became tight. Then Marc went through his Moon Knight origin and Duchamp decided to stay at his side, becoming his personal pilot and getting his hands dirty when necessary. While loyal, he was also the kind of assistant who would occasionally cut ties because Moon Knight is just a bit too much for him to deal with.

It doesn’t help that he had his legs horribly broken three separate times. He’s in Charles Xavier’s league at this point. He also gained superpowers in the 90s where he became Bloodline (of course he did) and found out he could transform into his ancestors via concentrating. Then they just kind of forgot that he could do that.

For the most part, Duchamp has settled down, started his own restaurant, and come out as gay. He’ll help Marc out from time to time, but usually with reluctance.

So, then, are we going to see him show up on Disney+’s Moon Knight? I would say it’s extremely likely. The show’s setup has us following along from Steven Grant’s perspective, meaning we know just as much as he does. Of course it will take a while for his background and true life to be expanded on, which includes Duchamp. In an adaptation that’s using someone as obscure as Arthur Harrow (who only made a single appearance back in the 1980s), it’s only a matter of time before they bring in Marc Spector’s closest ally.

As it is right now, there is no news on who would be playing Jean-Paul Duchamp, but a Marvel casting call did at one point ask for someone who is, “20-40 (years old), White male. Stereotypical good looking, overly enthusiastic, less intelligent than average but still lovable. Actor must be fluent in French.” If anything, that suggests that Duchamp would be less of a mentor and more of a sidekick.

I suppose it makes sense. Tony Dalton already has the MCU market cornered on middle-aged French scamps.