Deadline has learned that the Marvel Television division is coming to an end. "The decision has been made to complete Marvel TV projects that are currently in production, but not continue with any further development," a statement obtained by Deadline reads.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "a couple dozen" employees could be let go over the Marvel TV shutdown.
If you have been reading the tea leaves, so to speak, this announcement doesn't come as a shock. Marvel TV's days appeared to be numbered the moment it was revealed that the company planned to develop a slate of new series that would be housed on the Disney+ streaming service, and would more importantly, have actual implications on the future of the MCU.
The string of cancellations of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and Punisher on Netflix further proved that Marvel was slowly beginning to rein in its programs as the company sought to streamline its shows onto a single platform. When it was announced in October that Marvel Television head Jeph Loeb would step down at the end of the year amid the news of Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige being promoted to chief creative officer of Marvel, the phasing out process was as clear as day.
The only obstacle that remained was figuring out what to do with the remaining Marvel TV shows. The final season of The Runaways has been moved to Disney+ while Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will conclude on ABC next year. Cloak & Dagger was canceled by Freeform after two seasons in October. Hulu has dropped a live-action Ghost Rider series, but continues to work on Helstrom. However, the status on that show could also change. The animated Hulu series Tigra & Dazzler is currently on hold after its showrunner Erica Rivinoja and staff writers left over "creative differences."
Hulu's other animated series—Howard the Duck, Hit Monkey, and M.O.D.O.K.—remain in limbo.
