Disney+ may not be the exclusive home for upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe series as ABC is still intending to produce more Marvel TV shows. The end of 2019 had some shake-ups over at Marvel when it came to their live-action properties. With Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige being given the additional title as Chief Creative Officer over all of Marvel’s departments, it spelled out the end of Marvel TV as fans knew it. Jeph Loeb, who headlined the division as president and executive producer on all the small-screen projects, stepped down shortly after Feige’s promotion. The result also began taking effect on several ongoing Marvel TV shows with both Cloak and Dagger and Runaways canceled while the planned Ghost Rider series on Hulu was cancelled.
These decisions were more or less due to Feige getting an even bigger role within Marvel. Prior to Disney+’s launch, the company slowly began ordering several Marvel-based shows to series as part of the ambitious Disney platform. With that came the launch of Marvel Studios-produced series that would allow several existing MCU characters to get their own solo-led shows. From Loki, WandaVision, Falcon and the Winter Soldier to Hawkeye, the newly created umbrella is also creating shows for new characters that will join the MCU. Disney+ is also developing shows for Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk, and Moon Knight that will connect with the ongoing film franchises as supporting roles. Despite the large commitment to producing Marvel Studios shows on Disney+, it appears another platform is being eyed.
During the ongoing Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour, ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke revealed that she and Feige were in early talks to collaborate on ABC and Marvel Studios-produced series for the Disney-owned broadcast network. Through Deadline, Burke reflected on the future of ABC’s Marvel involvement after the seventh and final season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has concluded.
The final season of Marvel TV’s longest-running series, starring Clark Gregg as MCU fan-favorite Phil Coulson, will be the last show to air from the division’s old regime. Both prior to and after the news was revealed about the spy drama’s coming end, ABC has tried to get new Marvel programming onto their network. A Marvel female-superhero group show from Wonder Woman scribe Allan Heinberg got into script development before having the plug pulled. As late as August 2019, ABC teased the early talks of developing a series centered on a mysterious Marvel heroine.
“We love our partners at Marvel and we’re sad to see [Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D] go, it’s been a big part of our history. We’re looking forward to working with Kevin Feige and we’re at the very beginning of conversations with him now about what a Marvel and ABC show might look like. Right now, Marvel’s focus has been on Disney+, as it should be.”
While Burke wouldn’t reveal any further details on what character they’re discussing, this marks the possible beginning of a major chapter between ABC and Marvel Studios. Despite Coulson originating from the MCU and the series doing a number of tie-ins with the films, crossovers with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. were mostly one-sided. The movies barely recognized the spy series’ more-than-small effects in the early seasons. Only time will tell if ABC and Disney+ will become the shared homes for Marvel Studios shows, but Burke is definitely showing the network’s interest in remaining involved within the Marvel TV business.
Source: Deadline
