Without a doubt, Marvel has emerged as the most influential entertainment company of the last two decades. To date, it has released 33 movies and series that intricately intertwine to form the renowned Marvel Cinematic Universe.
While this concept is undeniably original and has captivated the majority of the Marvel fanbase, the truth is that it presents a significant barrier for new fans looking to immerse themselves in the experience. Often, they seek to explore a specific character but are faced with over 20 productions that they must watch to fully comprehend them, even if those have little relevance to the superhero or villain of their interest.
Recognizing this challenge, the company itself has become acutely aware and recently announced its solution to the problem, which will have a profound impact on the MCU. Here, discover everything you need to know about the Marvel Television rebranding.
What is Marvel Television?
Let’s provide some context first. Marvel Television was an American television production company founded in 2010, which produced live-action and animated television based on characters from the comics.
In late 2019, when Disney+ launched, Marvel Television ceased individual operations. This decision was made as the entertainment giant searched to enforce the debut of its new streaming service by consolidating the development of all superhero-related creations under Marvel Studios.
During a recent press conference, Disney confirmed the return of Marvel Television, expressing their intent to create movies and series with less connection to the MCU. Brad Winderbaum, vice-president of Marvel, explained the reasoning behind this move in an interview with ComicBook.com:
“We want to make sure that Marvel stays an open door for people to come in and explore. On the heels of Endgame, I think there was, maybe, a little bit of an obligation to watch absolutely everything in order to watch anything. So part of the rebranding of Marvel Television is to tell the audience, ‘You can jump in anywhere. They’re interconnected but they’re not.’”
How will the rebranding of Marvel Television affect the MCU?
As Winderbaum explained, the revival of Marvel Television occurred because its production team aims to craft a more welcoming experience for newcomers to the Marvel universe. In other words, there will no longer be a requirement to watch titles that are tangentially related to the characters we love just to understand them better.
Kathryn Hahn in Agatha All Along. (Source: Marvel)
This decision will likely result in many upcoming films and series within the franchise focusing more on individual storylines rather than being intricately connected to others. It may also entail the development of lore for characters that have not been central to the company’s focus until now.
In simpler terms, it signifies the return of the old Marvel: the enterprise that designed engaging narratives where the individual backgrounds of superheroes were sufficient to be a certified fan of them.
Marvel Television’s upcoming projects
Now that everything has been clarified, which series will be released under Marvel Animation? The closest premiere is “Agatha All Along,” which will be added to the Disney+ catalog with 9 episodes on September 18. Set after the events of “WandaVision,” it will focus on its antagonist.
The second show is “Daredevil: Born Again,” scheduled to premiere on the platform in March 2025 with 18 episodes. In this upcoming series, Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk strive to set aside their rivalry and darker personas to aid the citizens of New York. However, their pasts inevitably resurface, threatening to undermine their newfound intentions and commitments.
The last series, about which we know the least, is “Ironheart.” Currently, it has been revealed that it will consist of six episodes and will be released at some point in 2025. It will narrate the story of the brilliant teenage inventor Riri Williams, who creates the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man.
