By MARK O’CALLAGHAN
Co-Arts Editor
Another Marvel Cinematic Universe show on Netflix turns to ash as “Daredevil” gets cancelled after season three. It comes after “Iron Fist” and “Luke Cage” were cancelled a few weeks apart.
“Marvel’s Daredevil will not return for a fourth season on Netflix,” Netflix said Thursday in a statement. “We are tremendously proud of the show’s last and final season and although it’s painful for the fans, we feel it best to close this chapter on a high note …While the series on Netflix has ended, the three existing seasons will remain on the service for years to come, while the Daredevil character will live on in future projects for Marvel.”
While it’s unclear what Netflix meant about Daredevil appearing in future projects as before the cancellation. Marvel issued a similar statement saying that “the Daredevil character will live on in future projects for Marvel.”
It could mean plans for Daredevil on the DisneyPlus service or if Charlie Cox (the actor who plays Daredevil) or if he will appear in “Jessica Jones” or “The Punisher.”
Rolling Stone reported that Daredevil and other cancelled characters could appear again in the MCU but be rebooted.
Only a few weeks ago, season four of “Daredevil” was pitched to Netflix by Erik Oleson, the showrunner for season three but clearly, the pitch didn’t work.
Netflix and Marvel didn’t give a clear reason why they would cancel “Daredevil.” Outlets pointed out that “Iron Fist” was the critically lowest out of all the MCU shows and there were creative differences between the “Luke Cage” production team and Netflix.
“Daredevil” has been praised by critics and viewers alike as not only the best MCU shows but feature the best action and characters so it can’t be from a viewership standout.
We don’t know if Netflix pulled “Daredevil” because of Disney’s upcoming streaming service. Netflix doesn’t own the IP and only pays a licensing fee from Disney so they can make shows off their property.
Slowly, Netflix has been losing more Disney properties on their service. Netflix shouldn’t be worried as they have a lot of original shows and movies to support their catalog. Currently, they have over 500 original shows and movies. They acquired licensing to produce movies and tv shows from the works of Roald Dahl, the “Chronicles of Narnia” and “The Witcher” franchise.
While Netflix preps up their lineup, DisneyPlus is going all out. They’ll have multiple Marvel shows including a Loki show and one about Vision and Scarlet Witch. Disney will also have shows from the Star Wars universe and their respective animated series.
It’s been rumored that after season three of “Jessica Jones” and season two of “The Punisher”, both shows will be cancelled after that. “The Punisher” finished filming a couple of months ago and “Jessica Jones” will be released early 2019.
All three seasons of “Daredevil” are still on Netflix.
