Marvel Studios is currently shopping a package of 60 episodes spread over four potential TV shows and a miniseries, according to a report from Deadline. It’s being pitched as a single bundle to VOD and cable networks.
Marvel Studios is, and always has been, notoriously secretive regarding its plans, so the exact nature of the potential programming isn’t clear. No talent is confirmed to be involved, and no one is saying what exactly the various programs would be about, or what characters from the Marvel universe – if any – they would feature. Based on Marvel’s strategy though, the programs would almost certainly connect to the larger Marvel world the comic book publisher offshoot has created through films and now a successful TV show. With hundreds of characters and decades of stories to draw from, there are a lot of possibilities.
The move comes after the ratings success of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on ABC, which just received an order for a full season. There has also been discussion about bringing to air a series based on Peggy Carter, Captain America’s love interest in Captain America: The First Avenger, played by Hayley Atwell. The series would build off of the one-shot short film Agent Carter, which appeared as an exclusive on the Iron Man 3 Blu-ray. That proposed series may or may not be part of this bundle.
Other Marvel shows may end up on ABC in the future, but the network is likely content with just one for now – especially considering the pilot alone was rumored to cost over $14 million to produce (which is not uncommon for major series these days – the pilot for Lost was around $10 million – but it still makes them very risky). As Disney owns both Marvel and ABC, that narrows the field of potential buyers down to networks that are not direct rivals to ABC. Several cable networks are said to be interested, as are VOD platforms, including Amazon and Netflix.
Based on the speed of the maneuvers – this all came to life after Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was deemed a success with only three episodes having aired – it seems like Marvel is looking to have a deal in place soon.
So who would you like to see brought to the small screen? Sound off in the comments below!
