Jeph Loeb Got Fired
Marvel TV, the home of the Netflix Marvel shows like Daredevil and The Punisher is no more.
From the trades:
As the Clark Gregg-led S.H.I.E.L.D. heads towards its last season on ABC, the planned Ghost Rider spinoff series for Hulu had the brakes put on it in September, the cancellation of Cloak & Dagger after two seasons on Freeform came the next month and the final season of The Runaways is launching on the Disney-controlled streamer this week. With no new shows on Netflix after Daredevil, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones and The Punisher were all canceled over the last year and a bit, Marvel TV saw the Hulu-set upcoming animated Chelsea Handler voiced and EP’d Tigra & Dazzler put on hold earlier this month with the departure of showrunner Erica Rivinoja and the staff writers due to that old chestnut of “creative differences.”
Creative differences is Hollywood talk for “we’ve decided that Kevin Feige can handle it better than Jeph Loeb ever could.” And we’re not quite sure how Chelsea Handler fits in here.
Industry politics rolls on.
So, those Properties Are Just Dead in the Water?
Yes. At least for another decade.
The cultural zeitgeist—moving at the speed of the Internet these days—will eventually forget that Netflix, Hulu, and even ABC once had control of Marvel IP and then the Mouse House, led by Feige, Quesada and the other pliant people who will do what they’re told, will launch Marvel TV, Phase 2.
What Are We To Make of All of This?
This move signals that Feige is in control of all things Marvel streaming and television for the foreseeable future and will be running things with, if not an Iron Fist, at least access to Thano’s Infinity Gauntlet.
From the trades:
Today’s news follows months of turmoil and uncertainty at Marvel TV with a number of animated and live-action shows teetering or canned, the exit of longtime small screen chief Loeb and the further expansion of big-screen boss Kevin Feige’s fiefdom.
