The Marvel Cinematic Universe is expanding at an impressive rate. Since ‘Iron Man’ debuted in 2008, this world created by the House of Ideas has come to include blockbuster films, a series of shorts, and multiple television programs on traditional and non-traditional platforms. And now that the company is on track to have one of it’s biggest years to date thanks to ‘Daredevil,’ ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron,’ ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D,.‘ ‘Ant-Man,’ and ‘A.K.A. Jessica Jones’ (which is a very unexpected combination, to say the least), it looks like the MCU is gearing up to expand once again thanks to an award-winning writer/producer.
According to Entertainment Weekly, John Ridley is developing a new TV series for Marvel. After winning a best adapted screenplay Academy Award for ’12 Years A Slave’ in 2013, Ridley went on to executive produce the acclaimed ABC drama ‘American Crime’ and write/produce the upcoming ‘Ben Hur’ remake. But now it looks like he’ll be assembling some MCU characters in a new project that “involves reinventing an existing Marvel superhero character or property for ABC”.
Currently, neither Marvel nor ABC would comment on this news regarding Ridley. However, news recently surfaced about an ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ spinoff from executive producer Jeffrey Bell and writer Paul Zbyszewski. It’s very possible that this could be the project that Ridley is involved with, but it’s just as feasible that he would be working on an entirely different one as well.
Based on his work on ‘American Crime’, I could see him providing a unique spin on a show starring the Punisher, although it could be too much for network TV and more appropriate for Netflix. At one point, I recall a ‘Cloak and Dagger’ series in the works, so we can add that to the list of possibilities. But personally, I’d love to see him work on a Young Avengers show. His experience on DC animated shows ‘Static Shock’ and ‘Justice League,’ as well as ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.’ could come in handy when assembling the next generation of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Additionally, Marvel will want to have something to combat the upcoming live-action ‘Teen Titans’ show, so why not bring Patriot, Wiccan, Hulkling, and Iron Lad into the Marvel Cinematic Universe sooner rather than later?
What do you think about Oscar winner John Ridley working with Marvel Studios on a mystery TV project? Do you have any ideas as to what this show could or should be? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments below.
