The Netflix-Marvel universe is done.
The last two Marvel shows on Netflix, “Jessica Jones” and “The Punisher,” will end their runs after the former airs its third season, scheduled for this year.
"We are grateful to Marvel for five years of our fruitful partnership and thank the passionate fans who have followed these series from the beginning," Netflix told Deadline.
The cancellations come after “Iron Fist,” “Luke Cage” and “Daredevil” were axed, in that order.
Despite decent reviews and strong ratings from the shows, a Disney-Netflix partnership doesn't make as much sense as it did when announced in 2013.
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Disney is launching a competing streaming service, called Disney+, later this year.
"(The Marvel-Netflix) shows have clear and consistent branding to Marvel Studios," according to Forbes. "So when the Disney+ service starts airing other Marvel shows tied to the popular films, any Marvel series on Netflix will service as de facto advertising for the other Marvel shows on Disney+. In that way, then, the Marvel-Netflix shows were about to become marketing for a streaming service that directly competes with Netflix."
A close reading of Marvel TV’s statement on the cancellations supports this theory, as well as hopes these characters may return in some form on Disney+.
“Our Network partner may have decided they no longer want to continue telling the tales of these great characters… but you know Marvel better than that,” the statement said.
That can't happen for at least two years, though. "The deal for the original four Marvel shows includes a clause that prevents the characters from appearing in any non-Netflix series or film for at least two years after cancellation," Variety reported in December.
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Dominic Patten, who wrote the Deadline article, said he has heard “Jessica Jones” season three “will serve as a savory series finale.”
“Jessica Jones” premiered in 2015. It starred Krysten Ritter as the titular hero, an emotionally shattered and alcoholic superhero private eye.
“The Punisher” was a spin-off of “Daredevil” season two. Jon Bernthal played the lead, a vigilante obsessed with killing criminals.
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