Marvel Studios is set to absorb Marvel TV, with Kevin Feige overseeing the division and Jeph Loeb exiting after the transition. Following the rapid rise of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel TV began expanding the reach of Marvel’s properties on the small screen; Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Agent Carter debuted on ABC in 2013 and 2015 respectively. They also kicked off The Defenders universe in 2015 as well with Daredevil on Netflix. More recently, Marvel TV expanded its reach to Freeform with Cloak & Dagger, Hulu with Runaways, FOX with Legion, and experimented with an IMAX debut for Inhumans.
Throughout this run, the slogan of Marvel TV and head Loeb was “It’s All Connected,” but MCU fans were only treated to small pieces of connectivity here and there. Instead, it will be the massive lineup of Disney+ shows that will be tied to the movies the way many always dreamed of. This is why many began wondering what future Marvel TV had as Marvel Studios is handling the Disney+ productions, while the Netflix deal shattered, and cancellations for other shows became more frequent. Then, when Kevin Feige was promoted to oversee Marvel as a whole and not just Marvel Studios, it wasn’t long before Loeb’s exit was rumored and Marvel TV’s days became numbered.
As shared by THR, Marvel TV is officially being folded into Marvel Studios. Marvel TV as a division of Marvel will not be eliminated, but its volume of output will be reduced under Feige’s leadership. This will bring layoffs to Marvel TV, which will reportedly hit a couple dozen employees. Marvel TV’s Senior VP of Current Programming and Production, Karim Zreik, is one member of Marvel TV who will stay aboard after the transition, with Loeb staying on until that process is complete.
This consolidation of Marvel’s entertainment wings has been expected, but it also answers some questions about Marvel TV’s future. The lower output of Marvel TV will reportedly not have any impact on what they are currently developing. Hulu’s animated slate of four shows that culminate in The Offenders are still in the works, despite Tigra & Dazzler recently suffering some setbacks. Meanwhile, shutting down production on Helstrom does not appear to be part of the plan.
The current slate of upcoming projects does not include a show for ABC for after Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ends next year though, and the Disney-owned network still has interest in Marvel content. Whether or not they get their wish remains to be seen. Feige’s venture into TV on Disney+ has all been done as a way to expand the MCU story in new directions that will be directly tied to the movies. After citing the network TV schedule as a reason why TV and movie crossovers were difficult to do in the past, it will be fascinating to see if Feige figures it out now - or if he makes non-MCU content for the likes of ABC, Freeform, and Hulu instead. Either way, a new age for Marvel TV is now upon us.
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Source: THR
