Skip to main content

Marvel preparing four new TV shows and a miniseries

marvel preparing four new tv shows and a miniseries shield episode1
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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!

Editors' Recommendations

Ryan Fleming
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ryan Fleming is the Gaming and Cinema Editor for Digital Trends. He joined the DT staff in 2009 after spending time covering…
Every character confirmed in Marvel Rivals
A lot of heroes fight in Marvel Rivals

We've had plenty of hero shooters in the past, but Marvel Rivals will be the first time we've had one with literal superheroes. This 6v6 multiplayer title will bring heroes and villains from all across Marvel together to battle it out in multiplayer mayhem. Aside from the game's release date, the biggest question on everyone's mind is what the cast of characters will look like. The only details shared so far state that there are "over a dozen" characters that will be included in Marvel Rivals, but we've scrubbed through the trailer and marketing materials to compile a complete list of all the heroes shown off. Here's every hero on the roster we can confirm so far.
Every character in Marvel Rivals

We've found 19 total characters in the trailer.

Read more
How to sign up for the Marvel Rivals playtest
Team up abilities in Marvel Rivals

A new competitive shooter is on the way, this time featuring all your favorite Marvel heroes. Marvel Rivals has been unveiled as a 6v6 third-person hero shooter with many similarities to Overwatch. Matches will launch teams of these larger-than life-characters into fierce battles across iconic locations from the Marvel universe. While the full game doesn't have a release date yet, you can suit up as one of over a dozen heroes early by joining the closed alpha test. Not everyone will get in, so make sure you sign up so you don't miss out on a chance to be one of the first to suit up and do battle.

Read more
Marvel Rivals turns Overwatch into the Earth’s mightiest superhero shooter
A lot of heroes fight in Marvel Rivals

The “hero shooter” is a popular competitive multiplayer game subgenre where players control characters with powerful preset abilities rather than a customizable loadout. Although "hero" is right there in the subgenre name, and Overwatch proved how well superheroes could work with the concept, we haven't gotten a true attempt at this style of game from Marvel or DC.

Marvel Rivals is out to change that, starting with its first open alpha this May.

Read more