Defenders

Netflix’s ‘Defenders’ was only ever intended to be a one-off miniseries, but considering that the solo shows featuring Marvel characters, ‘Daredevil’‘Jessica Jones’‘Luke Cage’ and ‘Iron Fist’ plus newer addition ‘The Punisher’ are all ongoing, it would seem natural that the individual heroes’ paths would cross again.  True, they have a tendency to pop up on each others’ shows, but fans want another full-blown team-up.  But there may be hope as Marvel TV head, Jeph Loeb said “There are no plans right now [to do more]. It doesn’t mean that it’s off the table.”

And should Netflix revisit the concept, Loeb said, “And it doesn’t mean that it even has to be with the original characters that were in the first Defenders.”

Loeb elaborated stating:

“There are lots of Avengers, and through that, you should be able to ascertain that there may be lots of Defenders. No one at any time referred to them as “The Defenders” — they didn’t wear a little “D” on their belts, and they didn’t go to a building that had a big “Defenders” [sign] in the air. They were four mismatched heroes who were joined by a lot of the other heroes that are in the stories that we do on Netflix, but that was that particular story.”

The Marvel shows were an instant hit for Netflix.  ‘Daredevil’ was renewed for a second season almost right after the first premiered, and has also spawned the spin-off ‘The Punisher’.  ‘Luke Cage’ caused Netflix to crash when too many viewers tried streaming it when it debuted.  But things have gotten rocky since.  ‘Iron Fist’ was a dud with both viewers and critics and ‘Defenders’ performed even worse.

In the meantime, other supporting characters have distinguished themselves and have fans asking for more.  Élodie Young shot down hopes for an ‘Elektra’ solo series, but she did resurface as the villain of ‘Defenders’.  Elsewhere, Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson), Colleen Wing (Jessica Henwick), Misty Knight (Simone Missick) and Trish Walker (Rachael Taylor) have all risen in importance on their home shows, leading fans to want more.  Can you say “Fearless Defenders?”

In fact, Trish Walker, known in the comics as Patsy Walker, or Hellcat is the only character out of all of the Netflix roster that was actually a long-running member of the comic Defenders.  And considering the ending of ‘Jessica Jones’ Season Two, Taylor’s version seems to be creeping closer toward her comic book destiny.

There had been some concern that the Marvel shows on Netflix would end because parent company Disney is launching their own streaming service. But Disney’s endeavor is decidedly kid-friendly and ‘Daredevil’ et al are absolutely not, so their future on Netflix should remain intact.

Do you want to see a second installment of ‘Defenders’?  If so, would you prefer a return from Matt, Jessica, Luke, and Danny?  An all-female team with Claire, Colleen, Misty, and Trish?  Or some other combination, possibly with The Punisher thrown in the mix?

Source: Entertainment Weekly