One of the most unfortunate aspects of the entertainment industry are the varying types of rights issues. This is something that has plagued even Disney and Marvel, but they’ve been gradually reacquiring many of their iconic properties. Now it’s been revealed that Disney has actually regained control of Netflix’s Marvel shows, which included the likes of Daredevil and Jessica Jones. It appears that the various shows will all be removed from Netflix by March 1.
With these shows being removed from Netflix, it’s expected that they’ll have a new streaming home soon under Disney’s control. While Hulu is a possibility, it also seems likely that Disney Plus could get the shows.
As revealed via Deadline:
Sources confirm to Deadline that Netflix’s license for Marvel’s Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, The Punisher, Iron Fist and The Defenders team-up limited series is ending and the rights to the shows is reverting to Disney. The company is keeping mum about its distribution plans for the suite of series; they are expected to be announced the shows’ new streaming home soon.
Of course, Netflix’s Marvel shows also contain way more violence and adult content than traditional Marvel fare under Disney. As such, it’s possible that they might not be added to Disney Plus at all, or if they do it would have to be with edited versions. Although Disney Plus hasn’t been afraid to acknowledge the shows so far, as they’ve already brought back Daredevil villain Kingpin for the Hawkeye series.
It’s clear that Disney has plans for all of these properties and their characters. Aside from distributing these shows, they seem to intend reintroducing many of their characters throughout the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe. This was already evident in the aforementioned Kingpin appearance as well as Charlie Cox’s Daredevil cameo in Spider-Man: No Way Home. These developments are definitely going to be worth keeping an eye on.