Marvel is creating four live-action superhero series and an Avengers-style special event that will all air exclusively on Netflix, beginning in 2015. The first of the TV series will focus on Daredevil, while the following series will star Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage. At least 13 episodes of each series will be produced, and — like all good Marvel series — they'll eventually come together for a special event. For Netflix, that event will be a mini-series called The Defenders, though there's no word on just how long it'll run.
"This serialized epic expands the narrative possibilities of on-demand television and gives fans the flexibility to immerse themselves how and when they want in what's sure to be a thrilling and engaging adventure," Alan Fine, president of Marvel Entertainment, says in a statement. The series will all be set in Hell's Kitchen, New York, and will unfold over several years. Their world is said to be a gritty one as well, though Marvel's series have largely straddled the line between realistic worlds and comic book-style fun.
The deal is a huge one for both Marvel and Netflix. It's Marvel's biggest venture yet into television series, and it's one of Netflix's biggest commitments as well — one that's certain to draw quite a few eyes. As big as it is, it's actually the second major deal between the two companies: a deal made late last year will make Netflix the only place to watch Marvel's movies immediately after they leave theaters starting in 2016. With both Marvel and Netflix moving quite aggressively to create new series lately, the partnership is quite fitting. Both companies have also been quite successful in those efforts.
Though it'll be some time before the series debut, the Marvel deal will ensure that Netflix has exciting, exclusive content on the horizon. It's been extremely successful this year thanks to resurrecting Arrested Development and premiering the Emmys-hit House of Cards, and it's now beginning to expand that focus to exclusive comedy specials and documentaries. While Netflix hasn't made it completely clear what'll be coming up next year, deals like this will help it to maintain a wide lead in front of Amazon, which has also been stepping into the original content game. Unlike Netflix, Amazon has been struggling to do that — its pilots received a tepid response, and its first shows aren't even premiering until later this month.
Of course, Netflix's target is much bigger than Amazon Studios. The streaming service is eyeing HBO, and while we don't know yet how high the production level will be on its new Marvel series, Netflix has shown that it's willing to put up what's necessary to make a hit series when it thinks it has something good. The company's success was underscored even further yesterday, when Blockbuster announced that it would be closing its remaining US retail stores. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings took a quick shot at the news on his Facebook page, linking out to an analyst's report from 2005 that said his company was underestimating the threat from Blockbuster. "Oh well," Hastings writes. "No one is right all the time."
Comments
I’m still waiting for enough good stuff to fill one show.
By NPfeifer on 11.07.13 9:58am
I actually enjoyed the most recent F.Z.Z.T. episode quite a bit. It was less bad guy of the week and more interpersonal interactions.
By phillibuster on 11.07.13 10:29am
It still wasn’t very good. It’s been a 6/10 at best.
By NPfeifer on 11.07.13 11:55am
They need to tone down fitz and … oh god I don’t even remember the others name. The two scientists, their banter seems forced and does not work well on the show. It’s like a toned down version of that scientist guy in pacific rim. May is the best character on the show, she pulls off that ice cold expressionless look perfectly. It fits with the world.
I get they are trying to have a lighter show with the comic relief writing for the scientist characters, but again, its not working.
By Sammael on 11.07.13 2:06pm
I’m far from a gushing fan of the show, but I think you misinterpret the world of the Marvel cinematic universe if you think cold and expressionless fits it best. Fitz and Simmons are just about the best part of the show so far, and this episode was probably the best one yet because we finally had a chance to see their relationship on the inside of their sibling-like banter. I’d watch a Fitz/Simmons show far sooner than I would watch an “Agent Ward: Man of Wood” show or a “Skye: Clueless Super Hacker, Effortless Super Model” show.
By SonOfAVondruke on 11.07.13 2:59pm
I agree the two scientists need fine tuning. They are really annoying.
On the other hand, I don’t particularly like May ether. That could be my dislike spilling over from her character on Stargate Universe, however I think the cold expressionless look just doesn’t work. As a finely tuned, stronger than she looks, fighting expert, I think it would have been more interesting to give her a “Kwai Chang Caine in Kung Fu” kind of background and discipline.
To me, Agent May is too similar to Agent Coulson’s straight faced, matter of fact, straight to the point attitude.
By pixelstuff on 11.07.13 2:59pm
Simmons. Fitz+Simmons=Fitzsimmons.
By Ghost650 on 11.12.13 3:26pm
episode 1 was great, then it went downhill for a bit. I started swinging back again around episode 4 and 5 though.
By pictor on 11.07.13 10:54am
The 1st episode was a piece of shit IMO.
By Tikigawd on 11.07.13 11:34am
Yeah you can only fit so much crap into a single hour a week. Seriously, Joss Whedon’s worst work so far. It’s like watching two parents (Coulson and May) try to keep their stupid kids (the rest of the recurring characters) from dying from stupidity. There’s a lot of MacGuffin plot lines — it’s like watching Alias all over again, except I could not give a crap about any single character in the show.
Why don’t they spend all the money for the 4 shows to make 1 really good show?
By lazycrazy on 11.07.13 9:59am
I’d argue that the 1hour format is a detriment to the show. Especially in weekly sittings. I think binge watching on netflix suites marvel properties better.
By TeamRyan on 11.07.13 10:06am
The premiere, the only episode that Whedon actually worked on, was actually pretty good. It’s the episodes without Whedon that have been poor, though the latter half of the most recent episode was incredibly good
By Apocalyptic0n3 on 11.07.13 10:08am
Yeah the premier was okay. It was the only episode with any intrigue so far. I didn’t realize he didn’t work on any of the other episodes. He either needs to step in and fix it or do a better job of letting people know he’s not driving it, cause the past few weeks all I’ve been saying to my wife is “how could Joss Whedon have such poorly written and acted show?”
By lazycrazy on 11.07.13 10:14am
Yeah, Whedon wrote and directed the first episode. He’s been given producer credits on the rest, but he has apparently not had much influence on them. Most of his time is currently (and has been for quite some time) tied up in Avengers: Age of Ultron and helping James Gunn with Guardians of the Galaxy, as well as press rounds and, back when the show was in initial development, Thor rewrites
By Apocalyptic0n3 on 11.07.13 11:51pm
The writing staff needs new tshirt to wear during script days. W.W.J.W.W.?
What Would Josh Whedon Write?
By woofytexan on 11.07.13 11:11am
I agree, the last half of this week’s episode was pretty solid, and it finally felt like something was at stake. It was the better of the two actually interesting moments I’ve seen since the pilot. (The other was when it turned out Skye actually was still working with her hacker group, which managed to surprise me after the complete non-suspense on the subject in the other episodes.)
By tesseractive on 11.07.13 7:03pm
While I don’t disagree with your assessment of the show. It has at least seemingly gotten a bit better. It has a lot to live up to coming from Whedon though.
Act like secret agent’s people not high schoolers.
By NinJustin on 11.07.13 10:19am
I haven’t seen the latest episode, but so far I’ve liked it less and less each week. Maybe this week’s is better?
By lazycrazy on 11.07.13 1:55pm
Which is still a lot better than most non-Whedon shows, though ;)
By cargath on 11.07.13 11:34am
Which is like reality TV and that new experimental stuff where you a fireplace for 9 hours. Nothing to brag about.
By xLite on 11.07.13 1:48pm
Are you saying that all non-reality shows are made by Whedon? Because that’s very far from the truth.
By cargath on 11.07.13 2:12pm
Apparently he’s not so much involved as per commentor that replied to me earlier, which could explain the lack of quality.
I think there are just too many shows that scratch this itch for me that I haven’t finished watching/are still running (Grimm, Supernatural, Buffy, Fringe) that have their own faults but don’t bug me like SHIELD does. I’ve giving it a few more weeks and then dropping it if it doesn’t pick up.
By lazycrazy on 11.07.13 2:03pm
Well, at least Netflix has a low bar to clear to be better than the vapid ABC offering….
By Ice Cowboy on 11.07.13 3:59pm
Do I smell sarcasm? =\
By Mefiras on 11.07.13 10:01am