Collider reports that a whole slew of Marvel-related programming will be available on the new Disney Plus (aka Disney+) streaming service. But, the really interesting piece is that the Marvel MCU will still be fully intact for these shows (as opposed to the Marvel properties that have appeared on Netflix):
While Netflix may have just cancelled all of its Marvel TV shows, Marvel is gearing up to launch its most substantial TV endeavors yet. We learned last year that as part of the upcoming Disney streaming service Disney+, Marvel Studios is creating a number of brand new series that may be limited in nature. The only one confirmed thus far is a show centered around the character Loki, starring Tom Hiddleston, but other series reportedly in development are a Vision and Scarlet Witch show starring Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany and a Winter Soldier/Falcon team-up series starring Sebastan Stan and Anthony Mackie.
These shows are shaping up to be a departure from the existing Marvel shows in a big way. For one, they’re going to star the actual movie stars—likely due to the fact that they’re going to be limited series runs, so the actors only have to commit to anywhere from six to 10 episodes at a time. For another, they’ll be run by an entirely different creative team.
Indeed, shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Marvel’s Inhumans, and the Netflix series like Daredevil and Luke Cage were overseen by Marvel Television, which is run by Jeph Loeb. That arm of Marvel is separate from Marvel Studios, which is run by Kevin Feige and oversees all the movies. This is why there was little to no crossover between those Marvel shows and the films—the creative teams working on each were literally separate.
But that won’t be the case with the Disney+ shows, which will fall under Marvel Studios’ purview.
One word: SWEET.
So, what shows will we get at Disney+ that feature Marvel characters?
the launch is being used as an opportunity to expand the MCU with a whole host of original content. Marvel Studios is known to be working on a number of six-to-eight-episode-long, big-budget TV shows, intended to rival the very best that's available to Netflix and Amazon Prime subscribers. So far, all the confirmed and rumored Marvel Studios TV shows have been spinoffs from the movies, featuring big-screen stars like Tom Hiddleston and Anthony Mackie. But it's also possible Marvel Studios will use these to introduce entirely new ideas into the MCU; given Kevin Feige's recent comments about Ms. Marvel, for example, a lot of fans are hoping Kamala Khan's story will be adapted into one of these series.
The article goes on to mention the confirmed shows:
- A Falcon/Winter Soldier team-up
- A Scarlet Witch series that might also feature Paul Bettany as Vision
- And a series featuring Thor's adopted brother Loki
- Hawkeye
- Nick Fury
- The New Warriors
Described as a "docu-comedy," the show's core cast include Milana Vayntrub as Squirrel Girl, Derek Theler as Mr. Immortal, Jeremy Tardy as Night Thrasher, Calum Worthy as Speedball, Matthew Moy as Microbe, and Kate Comer as Debrii.
New Warriors was expected to air on Freeform but was pulled last November, after testing performed even better than Marvel had hoped. It's generally believed Disney intends to share the series on their streaming service.
This is fascinating to me because over at Comic Vine, Squirrel Girl is described thusly:
A hero with squirrel-like abilities and features, Squirrel Girl is not always taken seriously, but she has nonetheless defeated many of the Marvel universe's greatest villains. She is a longtime member of the Great Lakes Avengers, and briefly served as a nanny for Luke Cage and Jessica Jones.
I guess I shouldn't be that surprised though, given the popularity of a vulgar, trigger-happy raccoon paired with a tree that has a three-word-vocabulary.
I'm really looking forward to what is in store for the Marvel Universe...