As Netflix cancels Marvel's Iron Fist and Luke Cage, The Winter Soldier and Falcon are set to join Loki and Scarlet Witch with their own limited-run series on Disney's upcoming streaming service.
There's no news regarding Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie reprising their respective big screen roles. But, given Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige is overseeing the in-house Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) spin-offs, it would be no surprise and Disney has the financial firepower to maintain continuity.
Whilst it's tempting to suggest Disney's ultimate ambition is to have all its content on one platform. The Netflix Marvel deal is more nuanced and was inked in 2013. Therefore, Daredevil could continue on Netflix indefinitely. Of all the series, Daredevil was the first and best. The others were dour and a chore to watch. Netflix does have exclusive distribution deals with CBS All Access and DC Unlimited (outside the US) but is wisely investing in more original series including The Haunting of Hill House and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. The latter is a savvy and twisted reimagining from Greg Berlanti, that owes little to the Nickelodeon sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and may become this generation's Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Variety reports the new streaming service is known internally as Disney Play. If Disney Play is used, presumably DisneyLife will be rebranded to avoid any confusion and align the brand.
DisneyLife has struggled to gain an audience in the UK & Ireland since launching in 2015. I didn't consider subscribing until last Christmas when an app for Samsung Smart TVs was released. However, the global rollout of the streaming service in 2019 will be bolstered by exclusive Marvel and Star Wars live-action spin-offs. That may be more than enough reason for fans of both franchises to sign-up.
Do you subscribe to DisneyLife? Is the streaming space becoming too fragmented and costly? Let me know in the comments below.
Cancelling two Netflix superhero shows to make room for two Disney Play equivalents does rather look like the start of an acrimonious break-up between the two companies. My money is on Netflix although there's no doubt about the depth of Disney's pockets. However the digital graveyard is full of 'walled gardens' like the BBC Store that thought they would be the ones who could make it work.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that this latest news might imply the market is at capacity - that for Disney to make room for new shows on their own outlet, they have to cancel others elsewhere.
I'd forgotten all about the BBC Store!
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