Could the Defenders Crossover with The Gifted, Agents of SHIELD, and More of the Marvel Universe?
Disney bought 21st Century FOX this week (and they will probably buy you next) which will ultimately bring together the X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Avengers franchises on the big screen. But the buyout also has implications for the Marvel television shows like Netflix’s Defenders, FOX’s mutant shows (The Gifted and Legion), and ABC’s Agents of SHIELD. While those all tie their roots back to Marvel, the different networks and licensing deals kept the characters from coming together. But now that the Mouse House owns them all, that opens the door to all sorts of potential crossovers. Of course, there is no guarantee that we will see that happen anytime soon because each of the networks may have contract agreements that keep the characters they are working on exclusive to their venues. But Disney has its own streaming service and could bring most if not all of these characters to that site at some point (and maybe a return of Agent Carter?). But for Marvel fans, the best news out of this is that the various franchises no longer need to remain separated, and any of a number of team-ups could be on the horizon. I don’t expect to see much of that on television in the next year, but maybe by 2019 we will start seeing lots of Marvel characters interacting across the various television shows (and the movies as well).
Netflix to Bring The Frankenstein Chronicles to the U.S.
Netflix will be bringing the the British series The Frankenstein Chronicles, which stars Sean Bean, to the United States next year. The series is a re-imagining of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and follows Inspector John Marlott (played by Bean) investigating a case of possible reanimation in 19th century London. The series originally ran on the ITV Encore network which is being shut down. It produced two seasons, and the Netflix deal allows for additional seasons if it proves popular in its initial run in the States. A&E had previously announced that they would air the series, but that never did happen and that network has since shifted away from scripted programming. Expect the series to debut on Netflix in early 2018.
Sci Fi TV Schedule: Will Smith Arrives on Netflix with Bright
Quite a number of shows have gone into hibernation for the Winter, but there is still a fair amount of sci fi and fantasy TV to keep you busy next week starting with Netflix’s urban fantasy movie Bright which has its debut on Friday. That one stars Will Smith, Joel Edgerton, and Noomi Rapace, and was written by Max Landis (Chronicle) and directed by David Ayer (Suicide Squad). Here is the official description of the film:
In an alternate present day, humans, orcs, elves and fairies have been coexisting since the beginning of time. Two police officers, one a human, the other an orc, embark on a routine night patrol that will alter the future of their world as they know it. Battling both their own personal differences as well as an onslaught of enemies, they must work together to protect a young female elf and a thought-to-be-forgotten relic, which, in the wrong hands, could destroy everything.
Also next week, TNT’s The Librarians will air another double-episode and there will be new eps of Agents of SHIELD (ABC), Van Helsing (Syfy), Runaways (Hulu), and more. You can keep up with the weekly listings of sci fi and fantasy TV shows at this link. And be sure to follow The Sci Fi TV Site on Twitter for daily schedule reminders.
More Sci Fi TV News
Colton Haynes will be returning to Arrow later this season for several episodes to reprise his role as Roy Harper / Arsenal.
Freeform has set the debut date for their new series Sirens as March 29th and the Season 3 return date for Shadowhunters as March 20th. No word yet on the debut date for Cloak & Dagger. You can see the preliminary mid-season schedule of sci fi and fantasy shows at this link.
News Roundup from This Past Week
Sci Fi TV News: Netflix Moves Forward with The Witcher, A She-Ra Reboot is on the Way, and More Read
Cancellation Watch: Netflix Renews The Punisher for S2, USA Renews Mr. Robot for S4 Read
Sci Fi TV Status Report: The Orville Ends Season on Ratings Down Note, Superstition Gets Bumped, and More Read
Sci Fi TV Trailers: Jessica Jones Season 2, Altered Carbon, Sense8 Behind the Scenes, and More Watch
Keep up with the current schedule of sci fi and fantasy TV shows at this link and the weekly listings at this link. And be sure to follow The Sci Fi TV Site on Twitter for schedule reminders and breaking news. Also, be sure to follow CancelledSciFi.com for the renewal / cancellation status of your favorite shows.
