Here's Why Netflix Canceled 'Luke Cage' And 'Iron Fist'
Netflix isn't afraid to pull the plug on your favorite superhero TV shows, y'all.
Last week, Iron Fist was canned on the same day Season 3 of Daredevil debuted. If that wasn't crazy enough, Netflix went all out and announced the shocking cancellation of Luke Cage.
Unlike other Marvel shows on Netflix, Iron Fist was a total misstep. The series lacked a solid identity because it had no idea what their audience wanted. Plus, the casting controversy was enough to bury this massive stinker of a show — and rightfully so. To be fair, the second season of Iron Fist was a vast improvement, but it undoubtedly remained the weakest Marvel series on Netflix.
Axing Luke Cage, however, was a total surprise. The popular series received a pink slip due to creative differences over forthcoming storylines for Season 3. According to Deadline, "some execs had issues with the more developed scripts, even though the scripts strongly incorporated suggestions from both Netflix and Marvel brass."
With mounting, behind-the-scenes tensions between Marvel and Netflix, a cancellation seemed like the only option in the end.
When Luke Cage first premiered in September 2016, it crashed Netflix during Season 1's opening weekend. Season 2 was also well received by binge-watchers and critics alike. It would have been a Sweet Christmas if things had worked out differently for the superhero series.
"Unfortunately, Marvel's Luke Cage will not return for a third season," Marvel and Netflix explained in a joint statement to Variety. "Everyone at Marvel Television and Netflix is grateful to the dedicated showrunner, writers, cast and crew who brought Harlem's Hero to life for the past two seasons, and to all the fans who have supported the series."
While there's more clarity regarding Luke Cage's cancellation, Netflix remained rather mum about why Iron Fist was kicked to the curb.
"Marvel's Iron Fist will not return for a third season on Netflix," stated Marvel and Netflix in a joint statement to Deadline. "Everyone at Marvel Television and Netflix is proud of the series and grateful for all of the hard work from our incredible cast, crew and showrunners. We're thankful to the fans who have watched these two seasons, and for the partnership we’ve shared on this series. While the series on Netflix has ended, the immortal Iron Fist will live on."
Of course, this means that Season 2 of The Defenders definitely won't be happening. *Cue hysterical crying*
But is there more to the story?
There very well could be. Disney is expected to launch its own streaming service next year and now that it owns Marvel, Disney could possibly resurrect these shows on its own platform. Marvel fan-favorites like Loki and Scarlet Witch have their own individual series in the works for Disney's still unnamed streaming service. Both Tom Hiddleston and Elizabeth Olsen are slated to reprise their big-screen personas for the small screen.
Canceling Iron Fist and Luke Cage within a week is quite odd. Perhaps, Marvel and Netflix are looking to make a Heroes for Hire series which follows the adventures of both Luke Cage and Daniel Rand (aka Iron Fist), along with beloved characters Misty Knight and Colleen Wing. Whether this potential spin-off will air on Netflix or the new Disney platform remains to be seen.
Were you shocked that Netflix canceled both Iron Fist and Luke Cage in such a short span of time? Are you down with a Heroes for Hire series? Hit the comments to dish and discuss all your unfiltered commentary.
