NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The moment of truth has arrived for Disney+ and Marvel. Their next 3 big TV shows must be hits or it may be time to rethink this whole superhero approach. Yes, there are still big movies coming with The Avengers, Captain America 4, and Fantastic 4, but it’s the small screen where most of the attention is for 2023/2024. Secret Invasion, Echo, and Daredevil are carrying the weight of the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe on their shoulders.
Loki 2 (October 2023) is set to drop on Disney+ this year as well but that is sure to be a hit after what the first season meant to fans. Secret Invasion (June 2023) has been a show many have been waiting for and if the trailers are any indication, that is sure to put Marvel back where it belongs. Samuel L. Jackson reprises his role as Nick Fury and instead of the cameos he’s done in the other films, this is his standalone show to appeal to fans.
What New Marvel Shows Are On Disney+
Echo (November 2023) is the show that no one really asked for but it has all the makings to be a monster hit. Echo is much like Daredevil was when it ran on Netflix. No time travel or mystical beings involved, it will be a straight street brawl show where people actually bleed and get hurt. Her time on Hawkeye set the stage for what’s to come. And with Kingpin and Daredevil expected to make a few appearances, how can this show fail?
Next up will be Daredevil: Born Again (2024). Out of all the three, this may be the one most are looking forward to seeing. With a successful run on Netflix, fans were distraught after the show was canceled following its 3rd season. But fear not, after his cameo on Spiderman: No Way Home and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Daredevil is set to reclaim its throne atop the Marvel food chain as far as Disney+ shows go.
But if one fails, or even 2 of them, how will Marvel and Disney+ respond? The movies will come no matter what but their TV shows will have to take a backseat. She-Hulk was met with mixed reviews. The same goes for Ms. Marvel. Fans were also mixed on Moon Knight. However, 2023/2024 is shaping up to be the years where they set everything right.
Thanks to the huge success of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Defenders, and Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD, they have huge shoes to follow. But it can be done? It’s time that Marvel gets back to its TV roots. Season 1 of Loki set the stage for that and since then, it has fallen off a bit. Nick Fury is must-watch TV. Matt Murdock has his own loyal following. The wild card here is Echo. If done right, Phase 5 of the MCU for the small screen will be explosive and might garner more attention than the big screen. But they cannot afford one slippage at all. Plenty is riding on these Disney+ shows.
