Netflix Continues Its Marvel Cancellation Spree By Axing Luke Cage
Last weekend, Netflix announced that it was dropping the ax on Marvels Iron Fist, which likely didnt..
Last weekend, Netflix announced that it was dropping the ax on Marvels Iron Fist, which likely didnt come as a shock to those who sat through the dull superhero drama. But apparently Netflix wasnt done purging their Marvel properties. Late Friday night, as fans were mid-Netflix binge, the streaming video giant canceled Luke Cage, too.
The show followed the eponymous Luke Cage, played with maybe too much sex appeal by Mike Colter, a man who is given super strength and unbreakable skin due to a freak accident. Cage becomes a fugitive, who eventually (spoiler alert!) clears his name by becoming a hero in his Harlem neighborhood. Helmed by showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker, Luke Cage received pretty decent critical acclaim throughout its two seasons, and featured great performances from Simone Missick, Rosario Dawson, Alfre Woodard, and Mahershala Ali (pre-Moonlight stardom) as Cages friends and adversaries.
“Unfortunately, Marvels Luke Cage will not return for a third season,” Netflix and Marvel announced in a joint statement. “Everyone at Marvel Television and Netflix is grateful to the dedicated showrunner, writers, cast and crew who brought Harlems Hero to life for the past two seasons, and to all the fans who have supported the series.” A source told Variety that there were talks for a season three, but that Netflix had ultimately decided it wouldnt be feasible.
The move to cancel Luke Cage is likely evidence of a more significant rupture in the rapidly consolidating entertainment industry. Disney, which owns Marvel and recently scooped up a number of Fox properties in a massive $71.3 billion merger, is preparing to launch its own streaming-video competitor, with plans for series starring Loki and the Scarlet Witch. As Netflix pre-emptively looks to cut ties and develop its own, original properties, it wouldnt be surprising to see the company put The Defenders or The Punisher on the chopppng block next.
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