With the impending release of Disney’s streaming service – which will include it’s own original programming – it’s easy to worry about the fate of the Marvel/Netflix shows. Many believe Disney will find a way to nab those shows for themselves, and that the recent cancellation of IRON FIST, despite a much-improved second season, was the first push of the ball down the hill.
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While Netflix still owns the rights to shows DAREDEVIL, JESSICA JONES, LUKE CAGE, THE DEFENDERS and THE PUNISHER, what they intend to do with them has been up in the air since DEFENDERS – meant to be their AVENGERS – arrived with a whimper. Since then the heat has died down a bit around the shows, but that doesn’t mean Netflix is ready to jump ship any time soon. Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said (via Inverse) that they intend to stick with their current slate of shows for the foreseeable future (*low voice* or until Disney hands them a check).
"Those shows are for us to cancel and we’re super happy with their performance so far.”
As brief as that statement was, it should provide comfort to those who have enjoyed the gritter, R-rated takes on these characters over the years. Though it’s unlikely we will see this universe of shows expand beyond the current roster of characters, shows like DAREDEVIL, JONES and CAGE could be in shape for third and fourth seasons. On that note, a second season for DEFENDERS grows more and more unlikely, especially since Iron Fist is no longer in the picture.
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The cancellation of IRON FIST does inspire some question as to how Netflix intends to shape their universe of shows. When news of the show’s axing came out, Netflix put out a statement saying, “While the series on Netflix has ended, the immortal Iron Fist will live on.” The character Danny Rand/Iron Fist had a cameo in the second season of CAGE, while Misty Knight (from CAGE) had a big role in the second season of FIST. Could FIST characters show up in other shows and live on that way? Or is Netflix planning some sort of spinoff with FIST characters? Only time will tell, I suppose, but at least we know most of these characters will be punching and kicking across Netflix for as long as they like.
DAREDEVIL season three hits Netflix tomorrow.