Disney and Netflix Announce Deal for Exclusive Marvel Programming
Yesterday, Internet TV giant Netflix and Disney’s Marvel branch announced a deal that will give some Marvel characters their own TV content, to air exclusively on Netflix.
The shows will consist of four separate, live-action, limited series, starting off with “Daredevil,” followed by “Jessica Jones,” “Iron Fist,” and “Luke Cage.” Netflix has committed to a minimum of thirteen episodes for each series, which will be consolidated into a final mini-series event showcasing Marvel’s “The Defenders” title.
“This deal is unparalleled in its scope and size, and reinforces our commitment to deliver Marvel’s brand, content and characters across all platforms of storytelling. Netflix offers an incredible platform for the kind of rich storytelling that is Marvel’s specialty,” said Alan Fine, President of Marvel Entertainment. “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.”
These shows will take an in-depth look at each of these characters who, while they may not be as big as names like Spider-Man or Captain America, are major players in the Marvel Universe. All these characters have also been in the Avengers at one time or another, so it’s possible Marvel wants to give the characters some content although they didn’t get slated for the Avengers movies, or else Marvel is preparing them for upcoming mentions or roles in future Marvel Universe movies.
“Marvel’s movies, such as ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Marvel’s The Avengers,’ are huge favorites on our service around the world. Like Disney, Marvel is a known and loved brand that travels,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. “With ‘House of Cards’ and our other original series, we have pioneered new approaches to storytelling and to global distribution and we’re thrilled to be working with Disney and Marvel to take our brand of television to new levels with a creative project of this magnitude.”
Unfortunately, the series aren’t going to all hit Netflix at once. Instead, they’ll unfold over multiple years, starting in 2015. Marvel Television will be working with ABC Television Studios to produce the multiple TV series, which marks one of Marvel’s biggest content distribution deals with any provider.
I’m definitely excited to see some of the lesser-known Marvel names get some screentime. I really hope this sets a precedent for future content to be made for other characters from other publishers. Can you imagine an Invincible TV show, or a show about the exploits of other members of the Green Lantern Corps? I picked a good time to be a comic book fan.
