Last week, we reported that Marvel had struck a deal with Netflix to craft four new series based on Marvel properties with the intention that they would lead into a combined miniseries.  The four heroes in question are Daredevil, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and Jessica Jones (or possibly her super powered alter-ego Jewel).  The four street-level heroes would later converge as ‘The Defenders’, along the same lines as Iron Man, the Hulk, Captain America and Thor each started in their own movies, only to later combine as ‘The Avengers’ onscreen.

In the comics, writer Brian Michael Bendis created Jessica Jones as a hard-boiled detective, working in the world of the Marvel super heroes.  (After he was denied the right to use Jessica Drew a.k.a. Spider-Woman.)  Jones previously worked as a super hero herself, known as Jewel.  Marvel previously attempted to produce a series entitled ‘A.K.A. Jessica Jones’ for ABC TV, which the network passed on.

The writer of that pilot, Melissa Rosenberg has officially been confirmed as the writer and executive producer of the new series.  Rosenberg is best know for contributing to all four of the ‘Twilight’ movies.

In the previous pitch, Luke Cage was intended to appear as a supporting character, but with him getting his own show, that may not transpire now.  Or maybe he will, making it easier to integrate the movies further down the road.  Also, so far it hasn’t been clarified whether Jessica Jones will be a sleuth or her super powered persona on the show.  (In the comics, Jones and Cage are married and have a baby, Danielle… not to mention a nanny in the form of Squirrel Girl.  We can only pray that Squirrel Girl makes it onto the show!)

Netflix, meanwhile, has broken out as a major competitor in the realm of original programming.  Its series ‘House of Cards’ won three Emmys, the first time a non-television network has ever won (or even been nominated for) the award.  The streaming service has also made waves with its continuation of ‘Arrested Development’ and the water-cooler hit ‘Orange Is The New Black’.  Its partnership with Marvel will surely push its reputation even further and could possibly revolutionize the way in which we receive entertainment.

At this point, this is all we know.  The shows aren’t intended to arrive until 2015.  Are you looking forward to these new shows?  How do you feel about these characters becoming The Defenders?  (Considering none of them are really that closely associated with the team in the comics.)  Would you prefer detective Jessica or super hero Jewel?

Source THR