Originally published February 19, 2019. Updated February 20, 2019.
Now that all of the Marvel Netflix shows have been cancelled, the studio has released an official response.
We have just learned that both The Punisher and Jessica Jones are now cancelled by Netflix, joining Daredevil, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage on the chopping block. In response to the latest announcements, Marvel has issued a statement.
Appearing on Marvel.com, the statement from Marvel TV head Jeph Loeb says the following:
“It had never been done before.
“Four separate television series, each with different super-talented showrunners, writers, directors, cast and crew, coming out months apart and then…
“…they would meet in a single event series all set in the heart of New York City.
“We called them The Defenders.
“And together we were thrilled by stories of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and even the Punisher joined in!
“They said it couldn’t be done.
“But Marvel assembled amazing teams to write, produce, direct, edit, and score 13 seasons and 161 one-hour episodes.
“Take a moment and go online and look at the dazzling list of actors, writers, directors, and musicians who graced us with the very best of their craft.
“We loved each and every minute of it.
“And we did it all for you — the fans — who cheered for us around the world and made all the hard work worth it.
“So, Thank You!
“On behalf of everyone at Marvel Television, we couldn’t be more proud or more grateful to our audience.
“Our Network partner may have decided they no longer want to continue telling the tales of these great characters… but you know Marvel better than that.
“As Matthew Murdock’s Dad once said, ‘The measure of a man is not how he gets knocked to the mat, it’s how he gets back up.’
“To be continued…!”
The “to be continued” does suggest some hope for the characters involved but this is, of course, nothing definitive. We will have to wait and see when, where, and if we will see these characters again.
