Bob Iger on the overall deal with Netflix.
"This is a really smart deal we think, for Netflix because they've done well already with some investments in original programming. And turning to branded programming is a smart and big step for them and Marvel certainly provides that. This gives us an opportunity to create and own four new series that Netflix will have exclusivity [on] for a period of time, starting in 2016, when the series are made available to them...These will be well-produced series that will take production investment to deliver the type of quality that we promised to Netflix."
Why Disney went with Netflix when they're a part owner of Hulu.
"We actually talked about making these series available to others. And there was quite a bit of interest for these properties in the marketplace. The answer is yes, we will as a company, create more original programming for platforms that are not ours. We have some great networks with ABC, ABC Family, The Disney Channel, not to mention ESPN and Life but they're not going to buy original, scripted programming for a while. But we can sell just so much programming from Marvel, we've got a good show in S.H.I.E.L.D. and another one being developed for ABC- more plans on our Disney channel with Marvel, but this seemed to be a great opportunity and I think there will be other opportunities on other platforms to do some more things."
With the Clark Gregg centered Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. already airing and Daredevil, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones destined for Netflix - who does that leave for another ABC show? Guillermo del Toro's Hulk tv show is dead per Head of Television Jeph Loeb as Marvel Studios wants to keep the Jade Giant in cinema land. Three more options are recently returned properties to the "House of Ideas", Blade, Punisher and Ghost Rider (none have films in the works) - could they be in development at ABC? Or perhaps Iger is referring to that Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) period drama also rumored to be on the horizon year? Then there's also Winter Soldier actor Sebastian Stan, who already stars on ABC's Once Upton A Time - could a Winter Soldier spinoff show be in development?
One things for sure, now is a great time to be a comic book fan that enjoys television. Marvel has S.H.I.E.L.D.,Daredevil, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, AKA Jessica Jones, The Defenders and a mystery ABC project. DC Comics has Arrow, Flash, Constantine, iZombie, Hourman, Avenger, Gotham Central and Amazon(?). And of course, we can't forget about the juggernaut that's AMC's The Walking Dead! If the "expert" predictions of a decline in superhero cinema were really about a surge in superhero tv shows then I guess they were correct.
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