Marvel Television had a good set-up on the Netflix streaming service for a while. Marvel characters The Punisher, Daredevil, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and Jessica Jones all had their own shows on Netflix, and most of them were brought together in the crossover series The Defenders. But then things fell apart, and as Disney-owned Marvel started focusing more on developing shows for the Disney+ streaming service, Netflix started cancelling their Marvel shows.
Part of the deal between Marvel and Netflix was that Marvel wouldn't be able to use the characters from the shows for a period of two years (although some heard it was 18 months) after the shows were cancelled. Thankfully, the two years are nearly up for all of them. Marvel will already have access to Luke Cage and Iron Fist again as of next month, and the others won't be far behind. Of greatest interest to us here on Arrow in the Head is the fact that Marvel will have the option to revive The Punisher in film or on television as of next February, since Marvel cancelled The Punisher in February of 2019.
Of course, just because Marvel will be able to use these characters again doesn't mean they're going to jump right on it, but we can hope. But then the question is, when we see these characters again, will there be any connection to their Netflix shows?
The Punisher cast member Royce Johnson said he heard the memo Marvel sent about the cancellation said "To Be Continued". He told ComicBook.com,
It wasn't a Marvel issue [that the show got cancelled]. Apparently, it was Netflix that said, 'We're not moving forward.' For whatever reason. I mean, I know these shows are costly with the CGI, and stunt guys, and special effects, and stuff. And that costs money, and maybe Netflix felt that they weren't gonna profit from it, and then this whole purge started, you know?"
Personally, I don't think it's very likely that we'll see any more of the versions of the characters that were on Netflix, especially since those shows were made under the watch of executive producer Jeph Loeb, who is no longer at Marvel. Daredevil star Charlie Cox doesn't think he'll be brought back to play the character again. When asked if he feels Marvel will want to go ahead with another season of his Daredevil when they have the chance, Cox said,
I don't feel that way, no. And, I don't know why I don't feel that way. But, I haven't been given any reason to believe that. And, from a cynical point of view, it just feels like maybe I'm trying to protect myself, 'cause I'd love nothing more than to do it again."
But maybe Marvel will bring Cox back as Daredevil and Jon Bernthal back as The Punisher, we'll just have to wait and see. Hopefully we won't have to wait much longer.