After a few years as the MCU’s awkward cousin, Netflix’s slate of Marvel content is officially back in action. Between Charlie Cox’s appearance as a certain “very good lawyer” in Spider-Man: No Way Home and Vincent D’Onofrio reprising his role as Kingpin in Hawkeye, Daredevil ended 2021 with quite a splash. Which is why it’s all the more interesting that Netflix is removing its Marvel shows on March 1. Additionally, Agents of SHIELD, which ran for seven seasons on ABC, is also leaving the platform come March.
Curiously, Netflix hasn’t flagged that the series are leaving on their respective show pages. Instead, it appears as a warning, much like a content advisory. It’s almost like an FYI for those currently embarking on the journey before the platform makes its formal announcement. And while Daredevil is on the forefront of everyone’s minds thanks to Phase Four developments, it’s not the only show leaving. All of the shows, including Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, The Punisher, Iron Fist, and The Defenders depart come March. (I checked them all! Even Iron Fist.)
It’s a bit shocking to see them leave considering they were specifically created to stream on Netflix. After all, the shows pre-date Disney’s own streaming platforms. But it certainly makes sense that Marvel Studios—and Disney—want its full slate of shows in one spot. Namely, one it owns. Plus, the shows’ production houses all fall under the greater Disney umbrella. So the question is really whether the streaming rights lapsed or Disney bought the agreement out. While the company has yet to comment on the news, sources close to Disney told Nerdist that it was the licensing rights that lapsed, allowing Disney to retain the streaming rights.
But where exactly will these shows live? It won’t be long before they’re back up and ready to stream. The bigger question: Will they live on Disney+ or Hulu? Marvel Studios may want its full library on one service. However, while the Netflix shows are Marvel, the vibes are very, very different. Namely there’s a lot more violence, sex, and language that might shock Cap.
Besides teeing up Charlie Cox’s return as Matt Murdock, Marvel Studios and Kevin Feige have not firmly stated whether its (former) Netflix roster is getting a shake-up but we hope to see more of Cox and Krysten Ritter, among others, suited up and taking down more bad guys. (And also more Jon Bernthal because that’s always the move.) Luckily, Cox hinted that his days as Murdock are not over. “Look, I don’t have any idea what anyone’s plans are at this stage, but I presume there’s more for us to do,” he told The Hollywood Reporter, adding,“I know a little bit—not a huge amount—but a little bit.”
Additionally, he spoke of his enduring friendship with D’Onofrio, adding that he hopes they work together again. We do too!
Originally published on February 11, 2022.
