With the announcement from the other day about Marvel Studios taking the reins on some TV projects for the upcoming Disney streaming service, many people predicted that the Marvel TV folks, who produce the shows on Hulu, Freeform, ABC, and Netflix, respectively, would be on the way out. However, with some new information, it looks like even though some series will presumably coming to an end, there’s still new life over at Marvel TV.
Deadline is reporting that Marvel TV has just signed a deal with “Wonder Woman” writer Allan Heinberg to produce a new superhero series focused on female characters for ABC. There’s not much else to report other than the fact that this could be anything from that female ‘Avengers’ project fans have been clamoring for (though it almost certainly is not) to a random assortment of lesser Marvel characters forced to come together to solve crimes (which it almost certainly is).
Heinberg is an interesting, if not promising, choice to spearhead the series. Other than his work on “Wonder Woman,” which is by far his biggest project to date, the writer is also well-known for his work on “The O.C.” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” That being said, if you’re interested in his connection to the Marvel Universe, Heinberg is also the writer of numerous Marvel comics, including creating the “Young Avengers,” which introduced some of the characters that Kevin Feige is so eager to bring to the big screen.
However, this new project doesn’t mean all is well in the Marvel TV world. While it’s in with the new, it also appears that it’s a little bit of the out with the old, as well. No announcement has been made, but the writing’s on the wall as it seems like Netflix may have just stealth-canceled “The Defenders.” The streaming service has been mum on the possibility of another season of the crossover series that brings all of its Marvel characters into the fold. But the latest revelation shows that there’s a reason we haven’t heard anything.
The ‘Defenders’ Facebook page was recently completely overhauled and renamed “NX.” Why “NX?” Well, according to the About, it appears that “NX” is the new designation that Netflix is giving shows that appeal to those genre fans that enjoy superheroes, sci-fi, and fantasy. Again, nothing concrete has been announced, but it is surely telling that “The Defenders” would lose its social media presence, right?
Either way, it seems like change is afoot over at Marvel TV.