In 2013, there was an idea to bring the MCU to TV screen. Today, that initiative is known as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The ABC show follows a group of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents led by Avengers fan-favorite Phil Coulson as investigate strange occurrences around the world. Today, TheWrap reported that the first ever MCU show will end in summer 2020, with a final seventh season. The show is currently in the middle of airing its sixth season.
Although a little bit sad, this news isn’t that surprising. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was originally meant to be an expansion of the MCU on television. Yet, in recent seasons, the show lost most of its ties to the films. For example, the current season doesn’t really tie into any events from Avengers: Endgame. Plus, the show’s preexisting MCU character, Clark Gregg’s Coulson, died in an earlier season. Coulson’s likeness does lives on currently as the sixth season’s new baddie, Sarge.
The eventual Disney+ launch also meant that Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. would likely end. Netflix’s Defenders-centric shows were canceled, most likely to help reset the canon of Disney’s MCU. The upcoming Disney+ shows will act as a blank slate for Marvel TV and have better connections to the MCU. These shows will center on main characters who will appear—and probably influence events—in Marvel’s Phase 4 films. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and its lack of film connections isn’t relevant anymore to the MCU’s current path.
Since Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is going to Comic-Con this year, we’re interested to see if they’ll mention the show’s ending. With one season left, we’re hoping they’ll be able to make references to what’s in store for the MCU’s future.
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