‘Marvel’s Daredevil’ cancelled by Netflix, Disney teases return

Marvel%E2%80%99s+Daredevil+season+one+promotional+photo.

Photo courtesy of The Independent

Marvel’s Daredevil season one promotional photo.

Sarah Strubbe, Staff Reporter

On November 29, the Marvel Netflix bloodbath claimed another victim when the Netflix original series Marvel’s Daredevil was cancelled. Although the cancellation was anticipated, it was an incredible upset to fans and producers, as the show is one of the most viewed Netflix original series on the streaming service.

Marvel’s Daredevil follows the story of Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), an attorney in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City. Blinded as a child in a freak chemical accident, he uses his heightened senses to take justice into his own hands at night as the vigilante Daredevil when the law is not enough.

Murdock now joins his fellow superheroes in the graveyard of cancelled Marvel Netflix shows. Marvel’s Iron Fist was cancelled on October 12, and Marvel’s Luke Cage on October 19, the same day that Daredevil’s third season was released. The only Marvel Netflix shows still standing are Marvel’s Jessica Jones and Marvel’s The Punisher, which is believed to be due to their current production of a new season.

Marvel’s Daredevil is a critically acclaimed show, and has been very well-accepted by Marvel fans for being the first gritty street-level, TV-MA superhero program. So why is Netflix scrapping the show and its counterparts?

The answer lies with Disney. Marvel Entertainment is owned by The Walt Disney Company after being acquired in 2009. In August 2018, Disney announced that they would be letting their streaming contract with Netflix expire in 2019 to start their own streaming service, Disney+. The ending of this deal results in Netflix losing the rights to the Marvel characters, as they are a possession of Disney.

The sudden axing of the Marvel shows has caused fans to wonder: is this the end for the characters? Disney has hinted at the return of the beloved Daredevil character—this could mean that the shows will get picked up on the Disney streaming service; however, Disney has also stated that all entertainment on Disney+ will be family-friendly. This would require the Marvel shows to make serious changes in tone and dialogue.

Either way, Marvel and Netflix continue to praise Marvel’s Daredevil. Netflix released a statement on the cancellation, saying:

“Daredevil will not return for season 4 on Netflix. We are very proud of what has been accomplished during the final season and, although this is difficult for fans, we believe that it is better to conclude the series at its peak. We thank our partners, Marvel, the showrunner Erik Oleson, the writer, the crew, the cast and the amazing Charlie Cox in particular. And we would like to thank the fans who have supported us over these last few years. If the series is complete on Netflix, all three seasons will remain available for years to come, while Daredevil will return in the future plans of Marvel.”