Summary
Daredevil and The Punisher are among the Netflix Marvel characters being brought into the MCU proper. However, one Marvel TV show from the pre-Disney Plus era isn’t joining them soon:Agents of SHIELD.
Agents of SHIELDpremiered on ABC in 2013 and ran for 7 seasons until 2020. During this period, Marvel Television also produced the Netflix showsDaredevil,Jessica Jones,The Punisher,Luke Cage,Iron Fist, andThe Defenders.When Marvel Television was folded into Marvel Studios under Kevin Feige’s control in 2019, the Netflix shows had all been canceled andAgents of Shieldwas winding down. Once Marvel Studios could use the Netflix Marvel characters again–two years after their respective shows were canceled, per the terms of the listening deal–development onwhat would becomeDaredevil: Born Againbegan, officially bringing some fan favorites from The Defenders Saga into the MCU.
Many fans hopedAgents of SHIELDwould also be revived, or perhaps some characters from the show likeChloe Bennet’s Quake would return. Unfortunately, Marvel editor-in-chief C.B. Cebulski offered a disappointing update onAgents of SHIELD’s return. While speaking at Osaka Comic Con (viaThe Popverse), Cebulski praisedAgents of SHIELDbut cast doubt on a possible revival:
The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is a very great show. A beloved show. But right now, there are no plans to continue just yet.
This news may be disappointing but not surprising.Agents of SHIELDhas arubably always been kept at arms length by Marvel Studios. While the Netflix shows were loosely connected to the MCU–characters would oddly refer to Avengers team members as ‘the green guy’ or the ‘guy with the hammer’–Agents of SHIELDwas officially labeled as an MCU series and made great efforts to connect to the films by featuring characters like Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury or tying into storylines likeCaptain America: The Winter Soldier’s demise of S.H.I.E.L.D. However, the Marvel Studios movies largely ignoredAgents of SHIELDand the Netflix shows. Once the TV division was folded into Marvel Studios, the company dropped hints that all but confirmedAgents of SHIELD,Daredevil, and otherNetflix and ABC Marvel shows were not MCU canon.
Of course, as seen withDaredevil: Born Again, Marvel Studios may have reversed its decision for at least some of the Netflix shows. While Marvel Studios has been cagey about whether or nor the Netflix show’s events are still canon, the recently leakedDaredevil: Born Againtrailerimplied some story elements from the original series will carry over.Agents of SHIELDhasn’t been granted this status, but there’s still time, especially considering the MCU is still in the Multiverse Saga.
Agents of Shieldis available on Disney Plus.
MCU
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a sprawling movie and television franchise that weaves together individual stories of superheroes including Captain America, Thor, Spider-Man, Hulk, Black Widow, and many more. The first film in the franchise, Iron Man, was released in 2008. The MCU has garnered critical praise and financial success, earning billions at the box office and becoming a cultural phenomenon.
