The Future of Marvel's Netflix Series: Revival or Retirement on Disney Streaming Services

Nope. Not only is the partnership over. Not only has the cast moved on to other things and the costumes and props have been auctioned off. Jeph Loeb is out and Marvel Television is shutting down.

Potential Revivals on Hulu

Probably not. The Walt Disney Company has been adamant that Disney will be a family-friendly streaming service. Given the adult-oriented nature of the Marvel Netflix shows, they will probably not be allowed on Disney. However, there have been rumors that the Disney-controlled Hulu is considering either adding or reviving the Marvel Netflix shows. Disney gained a 60% ownership stake of Hulu as part of its Disney-Fox acquisition.

Options for Marvel

Maybe. But probably not. At least not in their Netflix incarnations. While Marvel owns the rights to those characters and their likenesses, Netflix owns the shows. Netflix paid Marvel to produce the shows for them. The only way around this is for Netflix to sell the rights to the shows back to Marvel. It could happen, but it’s unlikely at this point. Disney/Marvel could produce an entirely new show with the characters but probably not the same actors. However, this would be free advertising for the Netflix shows, and Disney might employ those actors to do something else for a couple of years.

Disney's Streaming Service Plans

Netflix’s decision to cancel 'Daredevil', 'Iron Fist', and 'Luke Cage' upset Marvel fans this year, but it's possible that these canceled series might be revived by Disney in the future. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kevin Mayer, Disney's chairman of direct-to-consumer and international, hinted that these axed Marvel shows could come back to Disney's new streaming service set to premiere in late 2019.

"They are very high-quality shows," Mayer told The Hollywood Reporter. "We haven’t yet discussed that but I would say that’s a possibility."

Like Hulu and Netflix, Disney will be a streaming service that offers many types of TV shows, movies, and exclusive content to subscribers. According to the Disney website, subscribers will be able to stream content focused on Disney, National Geographic, Star Wars, and more. Marvel Entertainment, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, will also have shows on Disney. Considering Disney's site only says 'Marvel', it's uncertain what type of Marvel series subscribers will have access to.

Disney's Industry Expansion

Disney also made a major milestone this month. On Dec. 14, it announced that it would snap up Fox’s film and TV studios, FX, and National Geographic Channels, and Star India in a 52.4 billion deal, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This industry deal could enable Disney to expand its franchise and introduce more flicks to customers in upcoming years.

"We are going to offer really compelling services to consumers. We are going to let them choose what they want to buy and what they don’t want to buy,}" Mayer told The Hollywood Reporter. "That’s starting to have a ripple effect on the industry. We’re not trying to beat anyone or triumph over anyone. We’re just trying to serve our consumers better."

If you're not caught up on 'Daredevil', 'Iron Fist', or 'Luke Cage', you can head over to Netflix to stream each series now.

References:

The Hollywood Reporter Disney's official website Walt Disney Company news releases