Marvel is in the midst of a major strategy change in how it handles its Disney+ television shows. While the studio will make a major decision that should benefit it, it doesn’t fix the biggest problem.
After Daredevil: Born Again Season 3 wraps up in 2027, only one live-action show is on the MCU calendar: the spy thriller Zodiac. Marvel is reportedly going to approach Zodiac much differently than its previous series. Zodiac will be made for a more “modest budget,” in hopes of having notable characters in supporting roles and potentially expanding beyond one season.
While cheaper budgets are certainly a step in the right direction, there are more problems to solve.
Marvel’s TV problem goes far beyond production budgets
During the early stages of Marvel’s Disney+ strategy, it was all about star power. The plan was to recruit A-list talent to join the MCU, as well as have established characters to headline shows. Notable above-the-line talent leads to higher fees, which raises a show’s budget. Throw in CGI costs, and you’re looking at shows with $200 million budgets like She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Secret Invasion. You never want to say something was a waste of time, but those miniseries lasted one season and had next to zero impact on the MCU’s future.
Speaking of seasons, the MCU’s addiction to the limited series format has been a huge problem. Why should fans invest time in a show if Disney won’t pursue a second season? Loki and Daredevil: Born Again are the only Disney+ live-action shows to expand past the first season. Marvel renewed Wonder Man, one of its better-reviewed shows, for a second season before going back on that decision. The result is another one-season one-off to throw on the pile with several dozen others.
Audiences need time to grow with characters. If Marvel doesn’t make shows that last multiple seasons, it might not be worth the effort for viewers to invest any time in these characters. Moon Knight ran for six episodes, and fans haven’t heard from the titular character since the series ended. What was the point of introducing him, then?
Marvel is trying to fix its errors. Shows with lower budgets and multiple seasons are a good start. Marvel must establish ground rules for its shows, so fans know what to expect. Should Marvel’s Disney+ slate be separate from the movies? Do fans need to watch a TV show to understand a movie? Is this a stand-alone series or something that can run for two or three seasons?
These questions must be answered before Marvel lays out its new television plans after Avengers: Secret Wars.
