One of the biggest complaints about the fourth phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe was the sheer amount of content to keep up with – namely, it involved keeping up with not just seven films but up to eight TV series as well.
It’s too much for many people and earlier this week Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige agreed, indicating in an interview with EW that the company would be releasing fewer shows at a slower pace along with opting to make at least some of them more episodic in nature.
That slowdown may be happening sooner than you think. THR reports that Disney is putting the brakes on the output of some of its biggest franchises and brands as it seeks to get better value out of the content it creates.
A source tells the outlet: “There is going to be a level of rigour on Marvel and across the entire company. Numbers matter now, and costs are going to be outlined and enforced”.
The impact is going to be immediately felt at Marvel in terms of television output. In July last year, Feige outlined plans for five series to hit in 2023 – “Secret Invasion,” “Loki” S2, “What If? S2,” “Ironheart” and “Agatha: Coven of Chaos”.
The trade reports that plan is seemingly out the window with “Loki” and “Secret Invasion” being the only sure bets to debut this year. Both “Echo” and “Ironheart” are reportedly now unlikely to arrive in 2023 as the “studio spreads out its content and tinkers in postproduction”.
This could have a knock-on effect on the shows expected for 2024 (ie. “Daredevil: Born Again”) and more importantly on shows in development such as “Nova” which will now take longer to get to the screen.
As “Star Wars” is on a slower track anyway, plans reportedly haven’t shifted for it with “The Mandalorian” S3, “Star Wars: Ahsoka” and “Skeleton Crew” all still due out this year (along with “The Acolyte” and “Andor” S2 next year).
Disney is also said to be considering longer theatrical windows for animated fare like “Elemental” and “Wish” in an effort to try and lure families back to theaters.
