Everything We Know About The MARVEL TV Shows Coming To DISNEY PLAY And What They Mean For The MCU

Last night, we learned that Marvel is developing a number of TV shows for Disney's streaming service focusing on big screen characters so we're now breaking down everything we know about what comes next.

By JoshWilding - Sep 19, 2018 06:09 AM EST

Filed Under: Avengers

Because I guess that Captain Marvel trailer simply wasn't enough for one day, we learned last night that Marvel Studios is developing a number of TV shows for Disney's streaming service which will not only feature big name characters and actors but also budgets which ensure they're done justice.

The way we watch movies and TV shows is changing and while you might think that a Loki series for Tom Hiddleston is something of a demotion for the actor, it most definitely is not and being the focal point of one of these shows is every bit as prestigious and important as headlining a movie in theaters.

Now, we're taking a closer look at all the confirmed details we have about these Marvel TV shows and examining what might come next for the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a result. To say these will be a game changer is an understatement so simply click on the "View List" button below for further details.

The Episode Count

One of the biggest complaints about the Marvel TV shows on Netflix is that they're simply too long. Thirteen hours of television often results in a lot of filler and a mid-season sag which shouldn't really be an issue in what's essentially a thirteen-hour movie! Marvel and Disney are taking a different approach here, though, because it's said that these shows will run for six to eight episodes in total.

That means the characters given the spotlight in these shows will have their stories told over what would essentially be two or three movies and that six to eight hours of storytelling ensures that Marvel can explore them in a satisfying way with a beginning, middle, and end. As we'll explain a little later in this post, the planned budget also means that anything more than this would be somewhat unrealistic.

No Creative Teams Are Attached...Yet

Variety cautions that it's still very early days for these projects and no writers have been found to develop any of them as of yet. That also means Marvel Studios probably isn't looking at directors either but it's easy to imagine them wanting just a single filmmaker to take charge of these stories from start to finish to ensure we get a cohesive tale similar to what they consistently deliver on the big screen.

Despite that, common sense says that Kevin Feige is already figuring out where these will fit into the larger picture of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially with a Phase 4 slate reveal on the horizon.

They're Marvel Studios Shows Not Marvel TV

I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with TV shows like Iron Fist, The Gifted, Daredevil, and Legion, but none of those (bar the latter, perhaps) are on the same level as what Marvel Studios puts in theaters. Just look at what Marvel TV did with Agent Coulson; while Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has its moments, Coulson s no longer as important to the MCU as he once was and has been watered down.

The Netflix shows, meanwhile, are stuck in the last...literally and figuratively. They're still tying into the events of a movie which came out six years ago and are seemingly afraid to embrace costumes. Thank God then that Marvel Studios will be in firm control here so that characters like Scarlet Witch and Loki aren't watered down to the point where they ultimately end up being unrecognisable on screen.

They'll Be Big Budget Productions

Disney is intent on making Disney Play (this rumoured name is what Disney CEO has referred to the streaming service as) a Netflix beater but that means they'll have to spend money. They can't just rely on a back catalogue of movies and that's why so much original content is on the way, including a Star Wars TV series from director Jon Favreau which the trade reports will cost upwards of $100 million.

While specific numbers haven't been revealed for these Marvel shows, the budgets are described as being "hefty rivalling those of a major studio production." That means we can expect plenty of special effects and won't notice any major differences in terms of how these characters are portrayed on the small screen to the big one. That's definitely a relief as something like that would obviously ruin them!

Scarlet Witch

Scarlet Witch is one of the characters named as having her own series on the streaming service but what direction can Marvel possibly take her in? Well, her origin story has been covered so that's off the table! Instead, I think we could either see the time between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War explored (which would lead to an appearance from The Vision) or a totally new story set after the events of Avengers 4. If that's the case, who knows what direction it's going to head in.

Loki

The other character who is reportedly set to receive his own series is Loki. Tom Hiddleston is no stranger to the small screen after his terrific turn in The Night Manager and there are many stories which could be told revolving around the God of Mischief. It might be fun seeing what happened to him between the events of Thor and The Avengers, especially if that involves Thanos, while it would also be no great surprise to learn that he survived Infinity War and is still out there somewhere.

The Other Characters

No other characters have been mentioned as being involved in these shows but it's said that Marvel Studios will be focusing on second-tier heroes and villains who won't receive their own big screen outings. You'd think that Black Widow would be an ideal candidate for one of these shows but unless we've all been fooled, the plan is still to bring her to the big screen to explore her origin story.

So, who are the most likely candidates? It could be anyone. The Winter Soldier, Falcon, War Machine, Hawkeye, Valkyrie, Korg, Gamora, and any number of characters are all no doubt in the running and it's going to be very exciting seeing who gets the spotlight when Marvel and Disney's plans become clear.

Kevin Feige Is In Charge, Not Jeph Loeb

In case it wasn't already clear, Jeph Loeb will not be getting his hands on any of these characters and that's a blessed relief. The trade specifically mentions that Kevin Feige is overseeing these shows and seeing as they're bound to have an impact on the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe, that makes sense.

Loeb has made some huge mistakes; he let Inhumans became a reality, for starters! Feige, meanwhile, knows what he's doing and the fact he's going to play a key role in continuing the stories of these characters is news which should be welcomed by fans and what we see from Marvel on the big screen.

Some Big Names May Be Absent

Something else made clear by the trade is the fact that big-name superheroes like Captain America and Iron Man will not be receiving the spotlight. There's nothing to say someone like Chris Hemsworth can't make a brief appearance as Thor in Loki's series, of course, but it sounds like those getting their own shows will be the heroes and villains there simply isn't room for on the big screen right now.

So, if Scarlet Witch leaves The Avengers for a different character to take her place, that doesn't mean her story is over; instead, her arc can continue elsewhere and in this instance, it will be on Disney's streaming service. I guess we'll just have to wait and see but there's a lot of potential, that's for sure.

What This Means For The MCU

Well, that's hard to say right now. What we do know is that these shows will be set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and that they're bound to have some sort of impact on whatever movies we end up getting in Phase 4. While the TV shows we've had from Marvel so far have been good, none of them have really felt like they're set in the MCU but these spinoffs promise to be essential viewing.

Will movies follow these shows on to the streaming service? It's possible but it definitely feels like a compromise has been made here for Kevin Feige to continue bringing movies to theaters but putting some non-essential characters on the small screen in these eight-hour adventures. So, win/win for us.

Which characters do you hope join Loki and Scarlet Witch on Disney Play? Do you think these shows sound like a good idea? Let us know your thoughts on that in the comments section down below.

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145 Comments

1 2 3 4

regularmovieguy - 9/19/2018, 6:17 AM

Everything we need to know was in the article last night. This article is so stupid.

LordMushu - 9/19/2018, 6:19 AM

Elizabeth Olsen. The end.

Subtlespammer24 - 9/19/2018, 7:01 AM

@LordMushu - seriously...

Nebula - 9/19/2018, 10:37 AM

@LordMushu -

aflynn - 9/19/2018, 6:21 AM

Manmarvel - 9/19/2018, 6:26 AM

Howard The Duck!!!!!!!

HeavyMetal4Life - 9/19/2018, 6:30 AM

"while Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has its moments"
"[Coulson] has been watered down"

Its moronic statements like these that indicates this article will probably be a disappointment.

VicSage - 9/19/2018, 6:34 AM

@HeavyMetal4Life - YUP! Agents of Shield is a fine show.

VicSage - 9/19/2018, 6:33 AM

Loki, Scarlet Witch, and Hawkeye are the only characters I think I want this sort of treatment for. No other villain or hero deserves this. The only supporting character I imagine that could use an actual theatrical released film would be Black Widow. Otherwise, I don't know who else Disney can produce this content for. Unless, they use it to also introduce new heroes/villains to the MCU that would not be getting a movie anytime soon.

For instance, a Nova series introducing Richard Rider. So when he appears in an Avengers-type film, he needs no introduction. He may not have had a movie, but he has a limited series you can watch on Disney Play. This could be a way for them to explore the backstory on established characters as well as introduce new ones. If so, incredibly smart. Costly, but smart. Disney's slate per year will have increased quite a bit now.

thewanderer - 9/19/2018, 6:48 AM

@VicSage - I’d like to see Winter Soldier too, but at the same time I want them to use the shows to introduce new characters.

JoeMomma29 - 9/19/2018, 6:33 AM

I smell powered milk this morning!

PC04 - 9/19/2018, 6:36 AM

One this is certain all. We need a KORG series. We need to see the rise and fall of his attempted revolution.

Who's with me?

ICStoopedPeople - 9/19/2018, 6:43 AM

@PC04 - Ooh! That's a great idea! I'll print out the pamphlets to get everyone else on board.

RolandD - 9/19/2018, 9:29 AM

@PC04 - Great for comic moments but W think he’s only good as a side character.

RolandD - 9/19/2018, 9:29 AM

@RolandD - I not W. 🤣

Kumkani - 9/19/2018, 6:37 AM

Well I certainly was expecting this

EZBeast - 9/19/2018, 6:37 AM

Josh this is getting sad.

OmegaDaGrodd - 9/19/2018, 6:38 AM

Marvel doing this is really the ultimate flex. Greatest entertainment franchise by FAR

MosquitoFarmer - 9/19/2018, 6:38 AM

I can't really sit through shows anymore, so I'll probably only catch bits and pieces of cool moments. All the same, for the people who will watch it all through and through, this is pretty awesome news. Hot dog!

1 2 3 4

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