If you're like me, you still me the Netflix Marvel shows that consisted of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, The Punisher, and Iron Fist. Ok, maybe not Iron Fist but that character definitely was more tolerable on the Netflix limited series The Defenders. I think most of us would agree that all of those shows ended far too soon and some of them, particularly Daredevil, were still creatively viable and worthy of more seasons. All of the Netflix Marvel shows ended their run because the streamer did not own them and as they developed more original series in-house, it became less desirable to pay a licensing fee to Marvel to keep those shows on the platform. As each property has headed back to Marvel, studio boss Kevin Feige provides an update on the likelihood of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and the rest of The Defenders appearing in future projects.
"Well, certainly you've seen what we announced at Comic-Con a year and half ago and on Disney Investor Day a few weeks ago, so that's our focus. But I've been at Marvel long enough to never say never about anything."
Kevin Feige obviously knows that the Netflix shows had a pretty sizeable fanbase and having that built-in audience would be beneficial to whatever project they appeared in. Charlie Cox, who played Matt Murdock/Daredevil on the Netflix series, has been plagued with rumors that he might return as the character in either another Daredevil series or even the next Spider-Man installment. The latter tidbit still has legs within the industry and has gained more traction as the next Spider-Man film seems to be bringing back a lot of familiar faces but Cox has consistently shot these rumors down publicly, although he has expressed he would love to return if asked. Having Mike Colter return as Luke Cage or Krysten Ritter reprise her role as Jessica Jones also gets its fair share of internet chatter and, even though Iron Fist wasn't as well-received as its predecessors, I feel like Finn Jones stepping in as Danny Rand again wouldn't be met with groans either. Lastly, The Punisher, which garnered a lot of fan support thanks in large part to Jon Bernthal's performance as the character, is another property that could be explored by Marvel once again. Bernthal has also expressed that he would reprise the role in a heartbeat if asked.
Since the collaboration between Marvel and Netflix came to an end, the rights to all of these characters have fully reverted back to Marvel Studios. Once the rights were back in Marvel's hands, fans have been eagerly awaiting their return but nothing has come of it as of yet. Just recently, Mike Colter said that talks with Marvel about a Luke Cage return have been nonexistent. Marvel has plenty of material to work on and get excited about but I think it would be silly to not utilize some of these characters from the Netflix era in future material.
Do YOU want to see any of the Netflix Marvel shows or stars make a return?