Netflix seals ‘unprecedented’ Marvel deal

Netflix has ordered an “unprecedented” slate of original live-action Marvel series from The Walt Disney Company.

Beginning in 2015, series based on Marvel Universe characters Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist and Luke Cage set in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen will roll out, culminating with an event miniseries based around The Defenders billed as reimagining “a dream team of self-sacrificing, heroic characters”.

In total, this means Netflix exclusively takes four thematic 13-episode series, plus the mini, all of which Marvel Television is producing in association with ABC Television Studios.

For Marvel, the deal represents its biggest television production agreement since Disney acquired the company for US$4.2 million in 2009. “This deal is unparalleled in its scope and size, and reinforces our commitment to deliver Marvel’s brand, content and characters across all platforms of storytelling. Netflix offers an incredible platform for the kind of rich storytelling that is Marvel’s specialty,” said Alan Fine, president, Marvel Entertainment.

“This serialised epic expands the narrative possibilities of on-demand television and gives fans the flexibility to immerse themselves how and when they want in what’s sure to be a thrilling and engaging adventure.”

“Marvel’s movies such as Iron Man and The Avengers are huge favorites on our service around the world. Like Disney, Marvel is a known and loved brand that travels,” added Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos.

“With House of Cards and our other original series, we have pioneered new approaches to storytelling and to global distribution and we’re thrilled to be working with Disney and Marvel to take our brand of television to new levels with a creative project of this magnitude.”

Netflix’s relationship with Disney took a major step forward last year when the pair scored a deal that will make the streaming service the exclusive US subscription home of Disney-produced movies as of 2016.