You might remember that Disney made a deal with Netflix a while back, but something that they didn’t mention when they were unveiling the back catalog titles to be put on the on-demand streaming service is that they had other plans, plans that would be relevant to your interests. And today, they’ve announced what those plans are: a deal to make new original series involving four Marvel characters, leading to a “miniseries programming event.” Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage are coming in series of thirteen episodes each, leading into a The Defenders mini-series.
Let’s let them tell you all about it in their press release:
The Walt Disney Co. and Netflix Inc. today announced an unprecedented deal for Marvel TV to bring multiple original series of live-action adventures of four of Marvelâs most popular characters exclusively to the worldâs leading Internet TV Network beginning in 2015. This pioneering agreement calls for Marvel to develop four serialized programs leading to a miniseries programming event.
Led by a series focused on Daredevil followed by Jessica Jones, Iron Fist and Luke Cage, the epic will unfold over multiple years of original programming, taking Netflix members deep into the gritty world of heroes and villains of Hellâs Kitchen, New York. Netflix has committed to a minimum of four, thirteen episodes series and a culminating Marvelâs The Defenders mini-series event that reimagines a dream team of self-sacrificing, heroic characters.
Produced by Marvel Television in association with ABC Television Studios, this groundbreaking deal is Marvelâs most ambitious foray yet into live-action TV storytelling.
âThis deal is unparalleled in its scope and size, and reinforces our commitment to deliver Marvelâs brand, content and characters across all platforms of storytelling. Netflix offers an incredible platform for the kind of rich storytelling that is Marvelâs specialty,â said Alan Fine, President of Marvel Entertainment. âThis serialized epic expands the narrative possibilities of on-demand television and gives fans the flexibility to immerse themselves how and when they want in whatâs sure to be a thrilling and engaging adventure.â
âMarvelâs movies, such as Iron Man and Marvelâs The Avengers, are huge favorites on our service around the world. Like Disney, Marvel is a known and loved brand that travels,â said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. âWith House of Cards and our other original series, we have pioneered new approaches to storytelling and to global distribution and weâre thrilled to be working with Disney and Marvel to take our brand of television to new levels with a creative project of this magnitude.â
This new original TV deal follows last yearâs landmark movie distribution deal through which, beginning with 2016 theatrically released feature films, Netflix will be the exclusive U.S. subscription television service for first-run, live-action and animated movies from the Walt Disney Studios, including titles from Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Disneynature and Lucasfilm. Netflix members can currently enjoy a wide range of Disney, ABC TV and Disney Channel films and shows across the 41 countries where Netflix operates.
You might recall that there was a Jessica Jones pilot being developed for ABC but the network passed on it; not sure if this is the same project, but the players appear to be the same.
Okay, then, there it is. Excited? Gonna sign up for Netflix for this? (You have until 2015, although there’s plenty to watch on there until then.) Happy with the characters they’re choosing? Sound off in the comments…
HT: Deadline
another interesting article i read here
http://opinioncircuit.com/2014/04/14/marvel-redefines-synergies/
It would also behoove everyone to know that Netflix actually does release their original programming on DVD. I work at a video rental store (Opera House Video — https://www.facebook.com/pages/Opera-House-Video/188565255626?ref=br_tf), Many of our customers actually wait to watch the programming on DVD and not even sign up for Netflix!
Any word on whether this will be distinctly set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Because yes please. I’m a sucker for a good cross-platform multiverse. Looking forward to this! I don’t miss a Marvel thing!
So they’re keeping Luke, Danny, and Jess apart? Hmmm…
Definitely a great opportunity for crossover episodes.
I think this is smart. These characters all have a bit of an edge to them and can be a little darker on Netflix, where SHIELD has to keep it squeaky clean on ABC.
Hell’s (kitchen) yes!! These characters are such no-brainers for excellent serialized shows, stuff you can do on a mediocre budget, it is a perfect plan. I love it! As a geek, I am waiting for the other shoe to drop with all this amazing work, but so far, I am supremely pleased.
Defenders, eh? Is that how Marvel plans to introduce Dr. Strange and Namor? Will they then spin-off into feature films? Will Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk be a Defender?