Luke Cage Canceled!

[Deck Rickard]

I can't say I'm surprised. LC had in my view only a half decent first season and a very slow and unengaging second season mostly hampered by a slow as molasses pacing of story and characterization. Which I will always think is a shame because of so much else the show gets right, not least of which is the "feel" of what a modern day Luke Cage show should be. But that pacing and some other creative choices stunted this show's potential from right out of the gate. I mean, music and culture should have been a part of the show... But did we really need a musical interlude every episode that brought the momentum to a halt so we could see yet another performance at the Harlem's Paradise? Why keep repeating so many character motivations and plots dynamics again and again? ("Not Dillard... STOKES!")

Season one simply had this swerve that yielded less in the last half than in the first half. A great villain was replaced by a mediocre and over the top one. It's one thing to pay homage to Blaxploitation films... It's another thing if you end up giving an impression similar to the worst offerings of the genre, and Diamondback came off like he walked off the set of Dolemite. Season two was just a slog. Each and every episode felt like watching a two hour movie where not much happens and it's a shame because the cast and the characters are actually good. But the progression of the story felt like things such as plot or arcs moved in slow motion or elements were repeated again and again until you were bored with them.

I will say that I do wish Mike Colter could be drafted into the film division. I think his Cage would do well in an Avengers film. Who knows? If Secret Invasion is the next big arc perhaps there are plans for Luke on the big screen? I have to feel that there are people at Marvel that realized that the issues with the show were not that it was bereft of any merit. Like I said, it did deliver on the vibe of what a modern day live action Luke Cage should be and Colter is more than fine in the role, so it's not totally crazy to perhaps tap the character and the actor for part in the films. Here's hoping.

Excuse me sir, but I will not allow you to disrespect Dolemite like that!

 

[Deck Rickard]

Defenders was so rushed. That show was not earned at all. And the story was awful. I feel Loeb was in such a rush to make the same impact Feige made with Avengers and completely flopped it.

CW does a much better job with there superhero crossovers. There shows in general are probably even more entertaining than the Netflix shows when you average them all out.

Yeah, Defenders was a disappointment overall. The Hand SUCK as villains and not even Sigourney Weaver could make them interesting. And that stupid plot with the dinosaur bones under New York was hilariously bad. I seriously can’t believe THAT is what they went for with their big, sinister villain plot.

 

[samsnee]

I agree the first half of season 1 had good momentum. But then the back half dragged and Defenders was so boring that it killed any momentum these shows had. I didn’t even bother watching Season 2.

 

[Mike Murdock]

I personally thought Season 2 was better than Season 1. Regardless, the creative differences aspect is what stings the most. They were writing a Season 3. Scripts were done. Then somebody decided they didn't like the direction by the same showrunner who did two seasons that generally got praise from a lot of people.

I really hope they find a way to finish the story they were making. If not, I'd love to get my hands on those scripts.

 

[Deck Rickard]

Yeah, but it’s weird that they just decided to scrap the show altogether. Creative differences happen all the time, but it doesn’t usually result in a show getting the ax altogether unless the ratings have dipped substantially. I’m guessing the numbers on season 2 weren’t good. And that’s a shame because I thought it was a solid season. But they certainly could have trimmed a couple episodes and cut out all of those damned musical numbers.

 

[Iceman]

I think it's time Marvel should consider ending their partnership with Netflix and start bringing those shows to their own streaming service or network. Disney should also start uniting the movie and TV division as well. I like Jeph Loeb, but I don't like the fact that Feige isn't in charge and these two universes are in separation despite the claim of the contrary. Let Feige appoint someone he trusts as head of the TV shows, and maybe we'll have a true crossover between movies and TV someday.

I’m sure they’ve been considering that all this time. But I would definitely rather Feige had control too.

 

[terry78]

Luke Cage and IF deserve to fight alongside the Avengers.

 

[2kt09]

Iron Fist, I get, but now this has got to be Disney streaming-related.

 

[AResistor]

I think it's time Marvel should consider ending their partnership with Netflix and start bringing those shows to their own streaming service or network. Disney should also start uniting the movie and TV division as well. I like Jeph Loeb, but I don't like the fact that Feige isn't in charge and these two universes are in separation despite the claim of the contrary. Let Feige appoint someone he trusts as head of the TV shows, and maybe we'll have a true crossover between movies and TV someday.

Disney/Marvel doesn’t have a say in the matter.

They signed a contract which - similar to Fox, Disney, and the X-Men for years - puts them in a bind until that contract runs out.

Disney and etc. have already stated their contract is binding. Which even means that Netflix will retain live action TV rights to Iron Fist and Luke Cage until the contract expires.

 

[NotNickFury]

We have actual video proof of the exact moment when Luke Cage was doomed after Season 2. You can pinpoint the exact moment:

 

[Zarex]

Disney/Marvel doesn’t have a say in the matter.

They signed a contract which - similar to Fox, Disney, and the X-Men for years - puts them in a bind until that contract runs out.

Disney and etc. have already stated their contract is binding. Which even means that Netflix will retain live action TV rights to Iron Fist and Luke Cage until the contract expires.

This is nothing like the X-Men and FF licensing deals. Unlike those arrangements, Disney and Marvel produced the shows, retained ownership - that was confirmed in the Deadline article - and maintained creative control. Netflix retains streaming rights to the programs for a certain period, but this is not an "in perpetuity" licensing arrangement like the Fox deals.

 

[samsnee]

Luke Cage and IF deserve to fight alongside the Avengers.

Maybe Luke Cage. I’d rather see DD and Spider-man together.

 

[Iceman]

I personally thought Season 2 was better than Season 1. Regardless, the creative differences aspect is what stings the most. They were writing a Season 3. Scripts were done. Then somebody decided they didn't like the direction by the same showrunner who did two seasons that generally got praise from a lot of people.

I really hope they find a way to finish the story they were making. If not, I'd love to get my hands on those scripts.

Would be very interesting to see what was planned.

 

[Iceman]

We have actual video proof of the exact moment when Luke Cage was doomed after Season 2. You can pinpoint the exact moment:

Haha, he knows.

 

[AResistor]

This is nothing like the X-Men and FF licensing deals. Unlike those arrangements, Disney and Marvel produced the shows, retained ownership - that was confirmed in the Deadline article - and maintained creative control. Netflix retains streaming rights to the programs for a certain period, but this is not an "in perpetuity" licensing arrangement like the Fox deals.

So Disney is or isn’t facing a similar obstacle that DC Universe faces with CW?

I thought it was somewhat similar in that they’re locked down in contracts.

 

[2kt09]

So Disney is or isn’t facing a similar obstacle that DC Universe faces with CW?

I thought it was somewhat similar in that they’re locked down in contracts.

The difference is the tv division should be able to pursue any X-Men, FF, Spidey thing they want, but choose not to, so the movie license holding companies have to want to make shows.

 

[Zarex]

So Disney is or isn’t facing a similar obstacle that DC Universe faces with CW?

I thought it was somewhat similar in that they’re locked down in contracts.

The Marvel -Netflix arrangement is probably similar to the CW deals in that Netflix retains the streaming rights to the shows for a contracted length of time. But that is quite a bit different than the film deal, which tied up Marvel character rights in perpetuity so long as films were kept in production.

 

[AResistor]

The Marvel -Netflix arrangement is probably similar to the CW deals in that Netflix retains the streaming rights to the shows for a contracted length of time. But that is quite a bit different than the film deal, which tied up Marvel character rights in perpetuity so long as films were kept in production.

Typically to make those shows companies need to acquire contracting rights to the characters though for that specific form of media.

Like I doubt DC Universe could make a completely different live action Flash show until they get the rights to do so back again.

But, sounds like Marvel retained that...

 

[legendkillin]

Seems like they are just going to move them to the Disney stream. Surprised Punisher and JJ have not been cancelled.

 

[legendkillin]

We have actual video proof of the exact moment when Luke Cage was doomed after Season 2. You can pinpoint the exact moment:

I legit lol.

 

[AResistor]

Seems like they are just going to move them to the Disney stream. Surprised Punisher and JJ have not been cancelled.

Depends on streaming rights.

These shows were licensed prior to Disney knowing it was going to go off on its own. So the contracts weren’t made with that in mind.

 

[AResistor]

While many have feared that Netflix could lose the right to make and show the likes of Daredevil, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage, the deal inked means that’s simply not the case – Disney owns the underlying property, but the shows remain very much Netflix’s to do with as it pleases.

“As long as they keep making those shows, they continue on Netflix,” said Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos.

“Our Marvel series that Disney produces for us - we own those shows. They run until we cancel them.”

Love the Netflix Marvel shows? Don’t worry, the Disney streaming service can’t touch them | TechRadar

Then this site dives into why Disney can’t cancel Marvel Netflix shows, only Netflix can do so.

Disney Can't Cancel Netflix's Marvel Shows

So Disney streaming starting to build up and this is timing coincidence.

“"Those shows are for us to cancel.”

We could potentially see a ‘Last Man Standing’ (?) revival, but unsure.

 

[Iceman]

Iron Fist, I get, but now this has got to be Disney streaming-related.

If they do it to Daredevil, the crown jewel, then there will absolutely zero question left.

 

[AResistor]

If they do it to Daredevil, the crown jewel, then there will absolutely zero question left.

Except for Netflix continuing to say Marvel and Disney do not have the right to cancel their programs in their contract.

I can see why there’s conspiracy theories, but I highly doubt the heads at Netflix would lie about contracting arrangements. The first season if Iron Fist was received very poorly so the second season ratings were never going to be good (this is coming from an Iron Fist fan, I was one of the few that liked the first season). Luke Cage is somewhat surprising, but not really again due to ratings. Luke Cage was never perceived as being on the same level as Stranger Things or even Daredevil.

This is also why Daredevil is safe since it’s a crown jewel.

 

[2kt09]

Except for Netflix continuing to say Marvel and Disney do not have the right to cancel their programs in their contract.

I can see why there’s conspiracy theories, but I highly doubt the heads at Netflix would lie about contracting arrangements. The first season if Iron Fist was received very poorly so the second season ratings were never going to be good. Luke Cage is somewhat surprising, but not really again due to ratings. Luke Cage was never perceived as being on the same level as Stranger Things or even Daredevil.

This is also why Daredevil is safe since it’s a crown jewel.

Could also be Netflix is ending their contract for competing market reasons.