This is a list of unmade and unreleased television projects based on
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...
. Some of these productions were, or still are, in
development hell
Development hell, development purgatory, and development limbo are media and software industry jargon for a project, concept, or idea that remains in development for an especially long time, often moving between different crews, scripts, game engi ...
. Projects that have not provided significant production announcements within at least a year, would be considered in development limbo until further announcements are released. The following include live-action and animated productions created for television. Along with Marvel Comics properties, projects based on their imprints (
Icon Comics
Icon Comics is an imprint of Marvel Comics for creator-owned titles, designed to keep select "A-list" creators producing for Marvel rather than seeing them take creator-owned work to other publishers.
History
It was launched in 2004 with Mic ...
,
Malibu Comics
Malibu Comics Entertainment, Inc. (also known as Malibu Graphics) was an American comic book publisher active in the late 1980s and early 1990s, best known for its Ultraverse line of superhero titles. Notable titles published by Malibu included ' ...
,
CrossGen,
Star Comics
Star Comics was an imprint of Marvel Comics that began in 1984 and featured titles that were aimed at child readers and were often adaptations of children's television series, animated series or toys. The last comic published under the imprint ...
,
Razorline
Razorline was an imprint of American comic book company Marvel Comics that ran from 1993 to 1995. It was created by filmmaker and horror/fantasy novelist Clive Barker, with its characters existing in one of the many alternate universes outside ...
, and
Epic Comics
Epic Comics (also known as the Epic Comics Group)Shooter, Jim. "Bullpen Bulletins: The Truth About the Epic Comics Group!" Marvel comics cover-dated November 1982. was an imprint of Marvel Comics from 1982 to 1996. A spin-off of the publisher's ...
) are included.
Live action
Richard Egan's ''Namor''
In the 1950s, a television series based on the character
Namor
Namor (), also known as the Sub-Mariner, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Debuting in early 1939, the character was created by writer-artist Bill Everett for comic book packager Funnies Inc ...
was planned starring
Richard Egan, but it never finished production.
''Sub-Mariner''
In the early 1970s, a different Sub-Mariner television pilot was in development but never finished filming due to the similarity of the short-lived ''
Man from Atlantis
''Man from Atlantis'' is a short-lived American science fiction/fantasy television series that ran for 13 episodes on the NBC network during the 1977–78 season, following four television films that had aired earlier in 1977. Ratings success by ...
'' series.
''Daredevil and the Black Widow''
In 1975,
Angela Bowie
Angela Bowie (born Mary Angela Barnett; September 25, 1949) is an American model, actress, and journalist. Alongside her ex-husband David Bowie, she influenced the glam rock culture and fashion of the 1970s. She was married to Bowie (whom she a ...
secured the TV rights to
Daredevil and
Black Widow for a duration of one year and planned a TV series based on the two characters. Bowie had photographer
Terry O'Neill take a series of pictures of herself as Black Widow and actor
Ben Carruthers
Benito F. Carruthers (August 14, 1936 in Illinois, USA – September 27, 1983 in Los Angeles, California) was an American film actor, most notable for his role in John Cassavetes' debut feature film ''Shadows'' (1959). His other films includ ...
as Daredevil (with wardrobe by Natasha Kornilkoff) to shop the project around to producers, but the project never came to fruition.
''Daredevil''
In 1983,
ABC
ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet.
ABC or abc may also refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting
* American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster
** Disney–ABC Television ...
planned a live-action ''Daredevil'' pilot. Academy Award-winning writer
Stirling Silliphant
Stirling Dale Silliphant (January 16, 1918 – April 26, 1996) was an American screenwriter and Film producer, producer. He is best remembered for his screenplay for ''In the Heat of the Night (film), In the Heat of the Night'', for which he w ...
completed the draft of the program, but it was not aired.
''The Amazing Spider-Man'' revival
In a 2002 interview with SFX magazine,
Nicholas Hammond
Nicholas Hammond (born May 15, 1950) is an American-born Australian actor and writer who is best known for his roles as Friedrich von Trapp in the film ''The Sound of Music'' and as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the 1970s television series ''The A ...
revealed that there were plans to do an ''
The Amazing Spider-Man
''The Amazing Spider-Man'' is an ongoing American comic book series featuring the Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man as its main protagonist. Being in the Earth 616, mainstream continuity of the franchise, it began publication in 1963 as a bim ...
'' series reunion movie in 1984. The proposal would have had the original cast team-up with the cast of ''
The Incredible Hulk
The Hulk is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of '' The Incredible Hulk'' (May 1962). In his comic book a ...
'' television series (a major hit for CBS), with Hammond appearing in the black Spider-Man costume. According to Hammond, a deal was arranged to have Columbia and Universal Studios co-produce the project.
Bill Bixby was going to direct the TV-movie, in addition to reprising the role of David Banner. However, Universal eventually cancelled the project. Hammond said he was told that
Lou Ferrigno
Louis Jude Ferrigno Sr. (; born November 9, 1951) is an American actor and retired professional bodybuilder. As a bodybuilder, Ferrigno won an IFBB Mr. America title and two consecutive IFBB Mr. Universe titles; and appeared in the documenta ...
was unavailable to reprise his role as the Hulk, because he was in Italy filming ''
Hercules
Hercules (, ) is the Roman equivalent of the Greek divine hero Heracles, son of Jupiter and the mortal Alcmena. In classical mythology, Hercules is famous for his strength and for his numerous far-ranging adventures.
The Romans adapted the Gr ...
''. However, in his 2003 autobiography ''My Incredible Life as the Hulk'', Ferrigno stated that he was never contacted about the project, adding that he had recently finished filming ''
Hercules II'' and that his availability was not an issue.
''Dr. Strange''
Philip DeGuere was given an ample budget for ''
Dr. Strange'', which he wrote, directed and produced. The film was shot on
Universal
Universal is the adjective for universe.
Universal may also refer to:
Companies
* NBCUniversal, a media and entertainment company
** Universal Animation Studios, an American Animation studio, and a subsidiary of NBCUniversal
** Universal TV, a ...
sets in Los Angeles, going over-schedule by several days because of the special effects, which included a lot of the era's
green screen. Friend and composer Paul Chiraha was encouraged to produce an electronic score. Chirara, interviewed in 2016, said that DeGuere had high hopes for the film, and was crushed when it "tanked".
In January 1985,
Stan Lee
Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber ; December 28, 1922 – November 12, 2018) was an American comic book writer, editor, publisher, and producer. He rose through the ranks of a family-run business called Timely Publications which ...
recounted the largely positive experience of working on ''Dr. Strange'', compared with the other live-action Marvel Comics adaptations under the publisher's development deal with CBS and Universal in the late 1970s, saying, "I probably had the most input into that one. I've become good friends with the writer/producer Phil DeGuere. I was pleased with ''Dr. Strange'' and ''
The Hulk">ncredibleHulk''. I think that ''Dr. Strange'' would have done much better than it did in the ratings except that it aired opposite ''
Roots
A root is the part of a plant, generally underground, that anchors the plant body, and absorbs and stores water and nutrients.
Root or roots may also refer to:
Art, entertainment, and media
* ''The Root'' (magazine), an online magazine focusing ...
''. Those are the only experiences I've had with live action television. ''Dr. Strange'' and ''The Hulk'' were fine. ''
Captain America
Captain America is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the character First appearance, first appeared in ''#Golden Age, Captain America Comics'' #1 (cover ...
'' was a bit
f adisappointment and ''
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appeared in the anthology comic book '' Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962) in the ...
'' was a total nightmare." CBS did not pick up ''Dr. Strange'' as a series.
''The Young Astronauts''
In 1985, The Young Astronauts, produced by Marvel Productions, concerned a 21st-century family aboard the interplanetary transport ship ''Courageous'', along with their cat and a comical maintenance "droid". It was slated to be a Saturday-morning midseason replacement on
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS, the abbreviation of its former legal name Columbia Broadcasting System, is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainm ...
. A
Star Comics
Star Comics was an imprint of Marvel Comics that began in 1984 and featured titles that were aimed at child readers and were often adaptations of children's television series, animated series or toys. The last comic published under the imprint ...
comic book series from Marvel Comics was planned to be released before the cartoon, but was also canceled for the same reason. An advertisement that appeared in many comic books in 1986, which promoted the upcoming fall lineup for CBS Saturday morning, prominently featured a drawing of The Young Astronauts along with other shows set to air that fall.
The show never aired due to the
Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
On January 28, 1986, the broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, killing all seven crew members aboard. The spacecraft disintegrated above the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 11:39a.m. Eastern Time Zone, EST (1 ...
causing CBS to cancel the show before it finished production.
''Thor'' / ''The Incredible Hulk''
In 1988,
Thor
Thor (; from non, Þórr ) is a prominent god in Germanic paganism. In Norse mythology, he is a hammer-wielding god associated with lightning, thunder, storms, sacred groves and trees, strength, the protection of humankind, hallowing, an ...
appeared in the live action
television film
A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...
''
The Incredible Hulk Returns
''The Incredible Hulk Returns'' is a 1988 American television superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character the Hulk which serves as a continuation of the 1978–1982 television series ''The Incredible Hulk''.
In ''The Incredible Hulk Retu ...
'', which was meant to be a pilot episode for a live action ''Thor'' series. Thor was played by
Eric Allan Kramer
Eric Allan Kramer (born March 26, 1962) is an American actor and fight choreographer. Kramer has appeared in numerous feature films and television programs including ''True Romance'' and '' Robin Hood: Men in Tights'' and is also known for his ...
, and Donald Blake by
Steve Levitt.
''Daredevil'' / ''The Incredible Hulk''
As was the case with ''The Incredible Hulk Returns'', the 1989 telefilm ''
The Trial of the Incredible Hulk
''The Trial of the Incredible Hulk'' is a 1989 American television superhero film based on the 1978–1982 television series ''The Incredible Hulk'' featuring both the Hulk and fellow Marvel Comics character Daredevil, who team up to defeat Wilso ...
'' also acted as a backdoor
television pilot
A television pilot (also known as a pilot or a pilot episode and sometimes marketed as a tele-movie), in United States television, is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell a show to a television network or other distri ...
for a series for Daredevil, but went unproduced for unknown reasons.
Rex Smith portrayed Matt Murdock / Daredevil in the pilot.
''She-Hulk''
She-Hulk was announced as co-star of an October 1989 made-for-TV film headlining
the Incredible Hulk
The Hulk is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of '' The Incredible Hulk'' (May 1962). In his comic book a ...
, the third reunion/sequel to the live-action ''
Incredible Hulk'' series with
Bill Bixby and
Lou Ferrigno
Louis Jude Ferrigno Sr. (; born November 9, 1951) is an American actor and retired professional bodybuilder. As a bodybuilder, Ferrigno won an IFBB Mr. America title and two consecutive IFBB Mr. Universe titles; and appeared in the documenta ...
reprising their roles. Although no specific title or actress was announced, in early July of that year it was still firmly expected to air that autumn.
A third Hulk telefilm did appear in February 1990 without any additional Marvel character adapted. A year later, a proposed She-Hulk series for the ABC network was "dead."
In August 2019, a different She-Hulk series was announced for
Disney+
The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment
Entertainment is a form of activity that holds the attention and interest of an audience or gives pleasure and deligh ...
, set in the
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on a series of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. The films are based on characters that appear in American comic books published by ...
.
''The Revenge of the Incredible Hulk''
Despite the Hulk's death in the 1990 film, the movie's makers had intended from the start for him to return in ''The Revenge of the Incredible Hulk'', again with
Gerald Di Pego
Gerald Di Pego (born July 22, 1941) is an American screenwriter and producer.
Feature film screenplays
*'' W'' (also known as ''I Want Her Dead''), Cinerama, 1974
*'' Sharky's Machine'', Orion, 1981
*''Phenomenon'', Buena Vista, 1996
*'' Messag ...
as writer. In early July 1989, Iron Man was planned to make a brief appearance.
As of July 10, 1990, a script was being written.
It has been reported that the fourth film would have featured the Hulk with Banner's mind, and that the project was canceled because of Bill Bixby's struggle with cancer, but Di Pego has refuted both these claims as fan rumors, pointing out that Bixby's health had not yet begun to decline at the time the film was canceled. Di Pego said that the plot for ''The Revenge of the Incredible Hulk'' began with Banner being revived, but no longer able to change into the Hulk. Banner then begins to work for the government in order to prevent accidents like the one that turned him into the Hulk, but is captured by villains and coerced into turning their agents into Hulk-like beings. According to Di Pego, at the film's climax Banner would be forced to recreate the accident that transformed him into the Hulk in order to stop the villains' plans.
The sequel was canceled because of the disappointing ratings for ''The Death of the Incredible Hulk''.
''Power Pack''
Following the cancellation of the original comic, Paragon Entertainment Corporation and
New World Television
New World Pictures (also known as New World Entertainment and New World Communications Group, Inc.) was an American independent production, distribution, and (in its final years as an autonomous entity) multimedia company. It was founded in 19 ...
developed
Power Pack
Power Pack is a superhero team consisting of four young siblings appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Louise Simonson and artist June Brigman, they first appeared in their own series in 1984, which las ...
into a live-action show for
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, its headquarters are l ...
's Saturday Morning Kids block. While a pilot episode was made, the series was passed on and the pilot was later picked up by
Fox
Foxes are small to medium-sized, omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull, upright, triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail (or ''brush'').
Twelve sp ...
, which chose to broadcast it as a Saturday morning special, on September 28, 1991, rather than ordering an entire series. The 27-minute pilot has subsequently been aired a few times on
Fox Kids
Fox Kids (originally known as Fox Children's Network and later as the Fox Kids Network; stylized as FOX KIDS) was an American children's block programming, programming block and branding for a slate of international children's television channel ...
during the off-season. Minor alterations to the concept were made for the pilot, ranging from the children's parents being aware of their superhuman abilities, Julie's acceleration power being altered to her being able to move at superhuman speed, without the ability to fly, and the "cloud" aspect of Jack's density power being eliminated; he was only able to shrink in size. The children did not wear costumes.
''Stealth Warriors''
In November 1993,
Rick Ungar
Richard "Rick" Ungar (; born November 4, 1950) is the host of ''The Rick Ungar Show'', a two hour political and news commentary radio show. Ungar is also the Editor In Chief of The Daily Centrist website. Previously, Ungar was the co-host of ' ...
was developing ''Stealth Warriors'' for Marvel Comics.
''Bloodstone''
In 2001, a
Ulysses Bloodstone
Ulysses Bloodstone is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is an immortal monster-hunter.
Ulysses Bloodstone appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe / Disney+ television special '' Werewolf by N ...
-centered TV series was in development.
''Daughters of the Dragon''
An intended ''
Daughters of the Dragon
The Daughters of the Dragon are the duo of Colleen Wing and Misty Knight, fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. They first appeared as a team in ''Deadly Hands of Kung Fu'' #32 (January 1977) in a ...
'' TV series was in development in March 2001, The series would have featured
Colleen Wing
Colleen Wing is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Descended from a family of samurai, Wing is a Japanese martial artist who avenged her grandfather's death with the help of the superhero Iron Fis ...
and two other Daughters, but not
Misty Knight
Mercedes "Misty" Knight is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Tony Isabella and Arvell Jones, Knight was first mentioned (by name) in ''Marvel Premiere'' #20 (Jan. 1975) and appeared in ...
. The series was never produced, with Wing and Knight eventually making their debut appearances in the shared universe of Marvel's
Netflix
Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, it offers a fil ...
series.
''Ectokid''
In August 2001, ''
Ectokid
''Ectokid'' is a superhero comic book series published by Marvel Comics' Razorline imprint that ran from 1993 to 1994. Created by filmmaker and horror/fantasy novelist Clive Barker as one of the imprint's four interconnected series, it starred tee ...
'' was planned as a television show to air on
Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (often shortened to Nick) is an American pay television television channel, channel which launched on April 1, 1979, as the first cable channel for children. It is run by Paramount Global through its List of assets owned by Param ...
. Barker would have acted as an executive producer of the television show, with Daley and Murphy as producers. Talking to ''
Daily Variety'', Barker explained that his aim was to create "a franchisable world" for the studio, "of great, transcendent beauty; one that reconfigures people's expectations of what ghosts are, of what comes after death."
''Night Thrasher''
A ''
Night Thrasher In comics, Night Thrasher may refer to:
* Night Thrasher (Dwayne Taylor), the first Night Thrasher, a fictional superhero appearing in books published by Marvel Comics
* Donyell Taylor
N'astirh
N'Garai
N'Kantu, the Living Mummy
Naga
Nah ...
'' TV series was originally in early stages of development for
UPN
The United Paramount Network (UPN) was an American broadcast television network that launched on January 16, 1995. It was originally owned by Chris-Craft Industries' United Television. Viacom (through its Paramount Television unit, which pr ...
in 2002, before eventually being scrapped.
''Brother Voodoo''
In January 2003,
Syfy
Syfy (formerly Sci-Fi Channel, later shortened to Sci Fi; stylized as SYFY) is an American basic cable channel owned by the NBCUniversal Television and Streaming division of Comcast's NBCUniversal through NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. Lau ...
ordered a live-action made-for-TV-movie and
backdoor pilot
A television pilot (also known as a pilot or a pilot episode and sometimes marketed as a tele-movie), in United States television, is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell a show to a television network or other distri ...
based on the
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...
supernatural character
Brother Voodoo
Brother Voodoo (Jericho Drumm) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in ''Strange Tales'' #169 (September 1973). The character was created by publisher Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Len W ...
. Hans Rodionoff was announced to write the screenplay, set in
, of this Reveille Productions and Marvel Studios co-production executive produced by Reveille head Ben Silverman and Marvel Studios' Avi Arad and Rick Ungar.
''The Crossovers''
In March 2003, CrossGen was in negotiations for a
live-action
Live action (or live-action) is a form of cinematography or videography that uses photography instead of animation. Some works combine live-action with animation to create a live-action animated film. Live-action is used to define film, video ...
,
prime-time
Prime time or the peak time is the block of broadcast programming taking place during the middle of the evening for a television show. It is mostly targeted towards adults (and sometimes families). It is used by the major television networks to ...
television series
A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite television, satellite, or cable television, cable, excluding breaking news, television adverti ...
adaptation of ''
The Crossovers
''The Crossovers'' is a comic book series created in 2003 by Robert Rodi (writer), Mauricet (penciller #1-6) and Ernie Colón (inker), and published by CrossGen. The comics are self-referential and multi-genre satire.Mandel, Susannah, Mask and ...
'', with
Davis Entertainment
Davis Entertainment (also known as Davis Entertainment Company) is an American film and television production company, founded by John Davis in 1984.
Davis's three divisions–feature film, independent film, and television–develop and produc ...
.
''Skrull Kill Krew''
In 2006, a television series based on ''
Skrull Kill Krew
The Skrull Kill Krew are a fictional group appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. They first appeared in their own miniseries published in 1995. They were created by Grant Morrison, Mark Millar and Steve Yeowell.
The gro ...
'' was in development. At some point in time, Marvel ceased development for unknown reasons.
''Alter Ego''
In 2006, a television series based on ''
Alter Ego
An alter ego (Latin for "other I", " doppelgänger") means an alternate self, which is believed to be distinct from a person's normal or true original personality. Finding one's alter ego will require finding one's other self, one with a differen ...
'' was in development. At some point in time, production was halted for unknown reasons. In 2015,
a different adaptation of ''Alias'' was produced by
Netflix
Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, it offers a fil ...
, which was developed by
Melissa Rosenberg
Melissa Anne Rosenberg is an American television writer, television producer, and screenwriter. She has worked in both film and television and has won a Peabody Award. She has also been nominated for two Emmy Awards, and two Writers Guild of A ...
for
ABC Studios
ABC Signature is an American television Filmmaking#Production, production studio that is a subsidiary of Disney Television Studios, a division of Walt Disney Television, which is part of the List of assets owned by The Walt Disney Company#Disne ...
and
Marvel Television
Marvel Television was an American television production company responsible for live-action and animated (through Marvel Animation) television shows and direct-to-DVD series based on characters from Marvel Comics. The division was based at affi ...
. The name change was needed due to the unrelated
ABC
ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet.
ABC or abc may also refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting
* American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster
** Disney–ABC Television ...
series ''
Alias
Alias may refer to:
* Pseudonym
* Pen name
* Nickname
Arts and entertainment Film and television
* ''Alias'' (2013 film), a 2013 Canadian documentary film
* ''Alias'' (TV series), an American action thriller series 2001–2006
* ''Alias the ...
''.
''Moon Knight''
According to author Doug Moench, a ''
Moon Knight'' series was licensed by
Toei in the late 1970s for production in Japan, but was instead serialized as a
manga
Manga (Japanese: 漫画 ) are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long prehistory in earlier Japanese art. The term ''manga'' is u ...
from 1979-1980. In 2006, Marvel Studios and No Equal Entertainment announced a live-action ''Moon Knight'' TV series. Writer Jon Cooksey confirmed in 2008 that he was developing the ''Moon Knight'' television series. In August 2019, a different ''
Moon Knight'' series was announced for
Disney+
The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment
Entertainment is a form of activity that holds the attention and interest of an audience or gives pleasure and deligh ...
, set in the
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on a series of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. The films are based on characters that appear in American comic books published by ...
.
FX's ''Powers''
In 2009,
Brian Michael Bendis confirmed plans to develop a ''
Powers'' television show on
FX as well as his involvement as the writer of the pilot for the show. In February 2011, a greenlit pilot of the show scripted by
Charles H. Eglee
Charles Hamilton Eglee (born November 27, 1951) is an American film and television screenwriter and producer. He worked extensively for Steven Bochco productions throughout the 1990s. For Bochco productions he co-created '' Byrds of Paradise'' ...
was announced as a co-production by
Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television Inc. (abbreviated as SPT) is an American television production and distribution studio. Based at the Sony Pictures Studios complex in Culver City, it is a division of Sony Entertainment's unit Sony Pictures Entertainme ...
and
FX Networks
FX Networks, LLC, is a company consisting of a network of cable channels plus a production company and a subsidiary of the Disney General Entertainment Content segment of The Walt Disney Company. Originally a part of 21st Century Fox, the compan ...
.
Charles S. Dutton became the first cast member in May 2011 when he signed on to play Captain Cross. In June, 2011, filming in Chicago was scheduled to start within a few weeks. The following week,
Lucy Punch
Lucy Punch (born 30 December 1977) is a British actress. She has appeared in the films '' Ella Enchanted'', ''Hot Fuzz'', ''You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger'', '' Dinner for Schmucks,'' and ''Into the Woods''. She is also known for her role as ...
was cast as Deena Pilgrim.
Katee Sackhoff
Katee Sackhoff (born April 8, 1980) is an American actress known for playing Lieutenant Kara "Starbuck" Thrace on the Sci Fi Channel's television program ''Battlestar Galactica'' (2004–2009), Niko Breckenridge on the Netflix series '' Another ...
had campaigned for the part.
Although FX was rumored to be courting
Kyle Chandler
Kyle Martin Chandler (born September 17, 1965) is an American actor. Making his screen acting debut in a 1988 television film, '' Quiet Victory: The Charlie Wedemeyer Story'', Chandler's first regular television role was in the ABC drama '' Ho ...
for the part of Walker,
[ the next day ]Jason Patric
Jason Patric (born June 17, 1966) is an American film, television and stage actor. He is known for his roles in films such as ''The Lost Boys'', ''Rush (1991 film), Rush'', ''Sleepers (film), Sleepers'', ''Geronimo: An American Legend'', ''Your ...
was cast in the part. Later in June, Carly Foulkes
Carly Foulkes (born August 4, 1988) is a Canadian model and actress who became known for appearing in a series of T-Mobile myTouch 4G television commercials, in which she often wore pink/magenta-and-white summer dresses. She continued as spoke ...
was cast as RetroGirl and Bailee Madison
Bailee Madison Riley (born October 15, 1999) is an American actress and singer. She first gained acclaim for her role as May Belle Aarons in the fantasy drama film ''Bridge to Terabithia (2007 film), Bridge to Terabithia'' (2007). Madison recei ...
was cast as Calista. Filming began in Chicago in early July 2011 and ended in early August. In November 2011, FX announced that it would reshoot the ''Powers'' pilot. Bendis tweeted that "the reshoots are planned for January and are all about tone and clarity". In April 2012, more scripts were ordered and writing continued, but more reshoots and recasting were being discussed by the network. Work on this project halted, when on March 19, 2014, it was announced that ''Powers'' would become the first original television series from the PlayStation Network, with a different cast and writers. The new series premiered on March 10, 2015.
''Carol Danvers'' / ''Jessica Jones''
In July 2011, Carol Danvers
Carol Susan Jane Danvers is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Gene Colan, Danvers first appeared as an officer in the United States Air Force and a colleague of th ...
was intended to make her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in the series '' Jessica Jones'' when it was developed for ABC, but the character changed to Trish Walker when it moved to Netflix
Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, it offers a fil ...
, due to the changes in the direction of the MCU storyline, such as the decision for Danvers to appear in her own film.
''Mockingbird''
In July 2011, a Mockingbird
Mockingbirds are a group of New World passerine birds from the family Mimidae. They are best known for the habit of some species mimicking the songs of other birds and the sounds of insects and amphibians, often loudly and in rapid succession. ...
series was in development at ABC Family
The American cable television, cable and satellite television network that is now known as Freeform (TV channel), Freeform was originally launched as the CBN Satellite Service on April 29, 1977, and has gone through several different owners (and s ...
. This adaptation never materialized, with a different iteration of the character appearing in a 2014 episode of ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
''Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' is an American television series created by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, and Maurissa Tancharoen for ABC, based on the Marvel Comics organization S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, an ...
''
''Dreadstar''
On February 17, 2015, Jim Starlin
James P. Starlin (born October 9, 1949) is an American comics artist and writer. Beginning his career in the early 1970s, he is best known for space opera stories, for revamping the Marvel Comics characters Captain Marvel and Adam Warlock, and ...
teamed with Universal Cable Productions
Universal Content Productions (UCP) is an American television production company operating within the Universal Studio Group division of NBCUniversal.
History Universal Cable Productions
In July 2008, Universal Cable Productions was split off ...
to adapt ''Dreadstar
''Dreadstar'' was the first comic-book series published by American publisher Epic Comics, an imprint of Marvel Comics, in 1982. It was centered on Vanth Dreadstar, sole survivor of the entire Milky Way galaxy, and an ensemble cast of crewmates, i ...
'' as a scripted TV series with Chris Bender and J. C. Spink
Jeffrey Christian Spink (February 25, 1972 – April 18, 2017) was an American talent manager and film producer.
Early life
J. C. Spink was born in Philadelphia and graduated from Bucknell University.
Career
Spink established Benderspink, a man ...
as producers.
''Empire of the Dead''
In May 2015, '' Empire of the Dead'' was being planned as an adaptation of George A. Romero
George Andrew Romero (; February 4, 1940 – July 16, 2017) was an American-Canadian filmmaker, writer, editor and actor. His ''Night of the Living Dead'' series of films about an imagined zombie apocalypse began with the 1968 film of the ...
's comic series. The series was going to be written and executive produced by Romero and Peter Grunwald. Demarest executives Sam Englebardt and William D. Johnson would have also executive produced. In November 2015, AMC
AMC may refer to:
Film and television
* AMC Theatres, an American movie theater chain
* AMC Networks, an American entertainment company
** AMC (TV channel)
** AMC+, streaming service
** AMC Networks International, an entertainment company
*** ...
acquired the TV rights on the series.
Untitled comedy series
In January 2016, Stan Lee
Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber ; December 28, 1922 – November 12, 2018) was an American comic book writer, editor, publisher, and producer. He rose through the ranks of a family-run business called Timely Publications which ...
announced that an untitled comedy series was in the works.
''Captain Britain''
In March 2016, it was reported in the British media that Marvel had plans to start a new series starring Captain Britain
Captain Britain is a title used by various superheroes in comic books published by Marvel Comics, commonly in association with Excalibur. The moniker was first used in publication by Brian Braddock in ''Captain Britain Weekly'' #1 by writer Ch ...
.
''Scarlet''
In June 2016, Brian Michael Bendis was developing a TV series based on his comic series '' Scarlet'' for Cinemax
Cinemax is an American pay television, cable, and satellite television network owned by the Home Box Office, Inc. subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. Developed as a companion "maxi-pay" service complementing the offerings shown on parent ...
.
Untitled ''Kingsman'' series
In June 2018, upon announcing his new film studio, Matthew Vaughn
Matthew Allard de Vere Drummond (born Matthew Allard Robert Vaughn; 7 March 1971) is an English filmmaker. He has produced films including ''Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels'' (1998) and '' Snatch'' (2000), and directed ''Layer Cake'' (2004 ...
revealed that an eight-episode ''Kingsman'' television series was in early development at 20th Century Fox Television.
''Marvel's Most Wanted''
By April 2015, Marvel Television was developing a spin-off series from ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' to be developed by that series' executive producer Jeffrey Bell
Jeffrey Jackson Bell is an American writer and producer best known for his work on television. He began his career writing for '' The X-Files'', where he stayed for three seasons, then became a writer/director/producer on '' Angel'', becoming it ...
and writer Paul Zbyszewski
Paul Zbyszewski is an American television writer and producer. He has worked in both capacities on the series ''Lost'' and ''Day Break'', and he is the creator of ''Day Break''. He also wrote the feature film '' After the Sunset''.
Career
Zbyszew ...
, and would follow storylines that occurred at the end of ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' second season, with its own pilot planned. Adrianne Palicki
Adrianne Lee Palicki ( ; born May 6, 1983) is an American actress and model. She is best known for her starring roles as Tyra Collette in the NBC sports drama series '' Friday Night Lights'' (2006–2011), as Barbara "Bobbi" Morse/Mockingbird ...
and Nick Blood
Nick Blood (born 20 March 1982) is an English actor. He is known for his roles as Lance Hunter in Marvel's ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and ''Kieran in '' Trollied''.
Early life
Blood was born in Aylesbury, England. He joined his local drama clu ...
entered negotiations to star in the series as their ex-spies and ex-spouses Bobbi Morse and Lance Hunter
Lancelot "Lance" Hunter is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in '' Captain Britain Weekly'' #19 (February 16, 1977) and was created by writer Gary Friedrich and artist Herb Trim ...
, respectively. ABC passed on the spin-off in early May, but that August, it was revived as ''Marvel's Most Wanted'' with a pilot order. Bell and Zbyszewski returned to develop the series and to co-write the pilot, with it focusing on Morse and Hunter as they are on the run trying to uncover a conspiracy against them without S.H.I.E.L.D.
S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage, special law enforcement, and counter-terrorism agency appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in ''Strange Tales'' #135 (August 1965), it often dea ...
's help, and partner with rogue adventurer Dominic Fortune
Dominic Fortune is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Publication history
Created by Howard Chaykin and based on the Scorpion, Chaykin's character for the failed Atlas/Seaboard Comics company, Do ...
. In May 2016, ABC again passed on the series.
Untitled John Ridley-developed series
By mid-April 2015, Marvel Television and screenwriter John Ridley
John Ridley IV (born 1965) is an American screenwriter, television director, novelist, and showrunner, known for '' 12 Years a Slave'', for which he won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. He is also the creator and showrunner of the a ...
were developing a series to reinvent an existing Marvel character or property for ABC, and in January 2016, Ridley confirmed it was in development and that it would incorporate the "socially conscious nature" of the Marvel Netflix series '' Jessica Jones'' and his series '' American Crime'' to it while still being direct entertainment. A year later, ABC Entertainment
The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) is an American commercial broadcast television network. It is the flagship property of the ABC Entertainment Group division of The Walt Disney Company. The network is headquartered in Burbank, Calif ...
president Channing Dungey
Channing Nicole Dungey (born March 14, 1969) is an American television executive and the first black American president of a major broadcast television network. In 2020, she was announced as the new chairwoman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television ...
revealed Ridley was rewriting his script, with Ridley saying this was so the series brings something different to viewers of superhero television series to fill an area not explored by Marvel and hoped the series was nearing creation. By August 2017, Dungey was unsure if Ridley was still working on the project, and was confirmed to have "fizzled" in December 2019 when Marvel Television was shut down and folded into Marvel Studios.
''Damage Control''
By October 2015, Marvel Television and ABC Studios
ABC Signature is an American television Filmmaking#Production, production studio that is a subsidiary of Disney Television Studios, a division of Walt Disney Television, which is part of the List of assets owned by The Walt Disney Company#Disne ...
were developing a half-hour live-action comedy series based on the overworked and underpaid Damage Control
In navies and the maritime industry, damage control is the emergency control of situations that may cause the sinking of a watercraft.
Examples are:
* rupture of a pipe or hull especially below the waterline and
* damage from grounding (ru ...
clean-up crew that was mentioned in ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' The series was intended to follow Damage Control as they deal with the aftermath of superhero conflicts, rescheduling events due to the conflicts, and retrieving lost items, with Ben Karlin
Ben Karlin (born c. 1971) is an American television producer and writer. He has won eight Emmy awards, and is best known for his work in ''The Daily Show with Jon Stewart'' and ''The Colbert Report''. He is one of three co-creators of ''The Colb ...
writing and serving as an executive producer. It had the potential to begin airing by the 2016–17 television season, before the group was introduced as the "Department of Damage Control" in ''Spider-Man: Homecoming'' with Tyne Daly
Ellen Tyne Daly (; born February 21, 1946) is an American actress. She has won six Emmy Awards for her television work, a Tony Award and is a 2011 American Theatre Hall of Fame inductee.
Daly began her career on stage in summer stock in New York, ...
portraying head of department Anne Marie Hoag
Damage Control is a fictional construction company appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The company specializes in repairing the property damage caused by conflicts between superheroes and supervillains. Three ''Damage ...
. The series was no longer moving forward by December 2019.
Untitled Allan Heinberg-developed series
In September 2018, ABC gave a production commitment to a series featuring lesser-known female superheroes, to be written by Allan Heinberg
Allan Heinberg (born June 29, 1967) is an American film screenwriter, television writer and producer and comic book writer.
Heinberg is the screenwriter of the 2017 film ''Wonder Woman'', directed by Patty Jenkins. His television writing and p ...
who would executive produce it with Marvel Television head Jeph Loeb
Joseph "Jeph" Loeb III () is an American film and television writer, producer and comic book writer. Loeb was a producer/writer on the TV series ''Smallville'' and ''Lost'', writer for the films '' Commando'' and ''Teen Wolf'', and a writer and ...
, with the hope for it to be a "strong contender from the get-go". However, in February 2019, ABC chose not to proceed with the pilot, despite its "big" production commitment. ''Deadline Hollywood
''Deadline Hollywood'', commonly known as ''Deadline'' and also referred to as ''Deadline.com'', is an online news site founded as the news blog ''Deadline Hollywood Daily'' by Nikki Finke in 2006. The site is updated several times a day, with ...
'' reported it was "unclear" if the series would be redeveloped.
Other ABC series
In January 2016, Paul Lee announced ABC Studios was developing a second comedy series with Marvel after ''Damage Control'' with the hope that it would air on ABC. In August 2019, ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke stated that ABC was in active discussions with Marvel regarding "one project in particular" that would be "something brand new, mostly" and be a female-focused superhero series. This project was separate from the female-focused superhero series developed for ABC by Allan Heinberg earlier in 2019. ''Deadline Hollywood'' reported plans for the series had "stalled" by January 2020, a month after Marvel Television announced they were no longer developing new series.
''New Warriors''
By late August 2016, Marvel Television and ABC Studios were developing a half-hour comedy series based on the New Warriors
The New Warriors is a fictional superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. They traditionally consisted of teenage and young adult heroes, and were often seen to serve as a junior counterpart to Avengers (comics), ...
team and featuring Squirrel Girl
Squirrel Girl (Doreen Allene Green) is a superheroine appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Will Murray and writer/artist Steve Ditko, she first appeared in '' Marvel Super-Heroes'' vol. 2 #8, a.k.a. ' ...
. In April 2017, Freeform announced a straight-to-series order for ''Marvel's New Warriors'' with 10 episodes to be developed by showrunner Kevin Biegel Kevin Biegel is a television writer/producer, the co-creator of ''Cougar Town'' and creator of '' Enlisted''.[Kevin Biegel](_blank) who was writing the first script. It was set to focus on Doreen Green / Squirrel Girl, Craig Hollis / Mister Immortal, Dwayne Taylor / Night Thrasher, Robbie Baldwin / Speedball, Zach Smith / Microbe, and Deborah Fields / Debrii, as they want to make a positive impact in the world even if they are not quite ready to be heroes. That June, the cast was revealed with Milana Vayntrub
Milana Aleksandrovna Vayntrub ( , Russian: ; born March 8, 1987) is an American actress, comedian, and activist. Born in the Soviet Union to Jewish parents, she began her career as a child actress shortly after immigrating to the United States ...
starring as Doreen Green / Squirrel Girl and Derek Theler
Derek Theler (born October 29, 1986) is an American film and television actor and model.
Acting career
Theler started his acting career in 2009, starring in several minor roles in TV series such as '' The Middle'', ''Cougar Town'', and '' The Hil ...
as Craig Hollis / Mister Immortal. In November, Freeform was announced to no longer air the series as it was being shopped to other networks, with Marvel aiming to air it in 2018. By September 2019, the series had been unable to find a new broadcaster and was officially considered dead.
''New Warriors'' spin-offs
After ordering ''New Warriors'' in April 2017, Burke said Freeform was "absolutely" interested in creating spinoff series for each of the characters on the New Warriors team, in a similar fashion to Marvel's Netflix television series
Marvel's Netflix television series are a set of interconnected American television series created for the streaming service Netflix, based on characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics. Produced by Marvel Television and ABC Studios ...
, explaining that the characters Marvel chose for the team "are all really singular and could each carry the show that they're on. They're bound together ... for as long as we choose with this show but it's conceptually tailor-made for spinoffs." These potential spin-offs were still considered likely when Marvel began looking for a new broadcaster for ''New Warriors''. Marvel Television was no longer developing any new series in December 2019.
''Ghost Rider''
After Gabriel Luna
Gabriel Luna is an American actor and producer. He is known for his roles as Robbie Reyes / Ghost Rider on the ABC action superhero series '' Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'', set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Tony Bravo on the El Rey Netwo ...
was announced to portray Robbie Reyes / Ghost Rider in the fourth season of ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
''Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' is an American television series created by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, and Maurissa Tancharoen for ABC, based on the Marvel Comics organization S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, an ...
'', Loeb said he could go to other parts of the MCU depending on audience response, while Luna also expressed interest in reprising his role outside of that series. By October 2016, Luna said there was potential his character would get a spin-off series. In May 2019, Hulu ordered ''Ghost Rider'' to series with Ingrid Escajeda serving as showrunner and executive producer alongside Zbyszewski and Loeb, with Luna reprising his role. It was intended to be a new standalone story about Reyes' character from ''S.H.I.E.L.D.'' and not a traditional spin-off of that series, with Marvel Television and ABC Signature Studios
ABC Signature is an American television production studio that is a subsidiary of Disney Television Studios, a division of Walt Disney Television, which is part of the Disney General Entertainment Content division of The Walt Disney Company. ...
producing. It would focus on Reyes as he avenges the innocent at the Texas–Mexico border by unleashing the demonic Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider is the name of multiple antiheroes and superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Marvel had previously used the name for a Western character whose name was later changed to Phantom Rider.
The first s ...
, while referencing his role in ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' That September, Hulu chose not to move forward with the project over creative differences.
Adventure into Fear series
By August 2019, Loeb said several series were being developed for Marvel Television's planned Adventure into Fear
''Adventure into Fear'' is an American horror comic book series published by Marvel Comics from cover dates November 1970 through December 1975, for 31 issues. This is its trademarked cover title for all but its first nine issues, though the ser ...
franchise at Hulu, which he reiterated in October, before Marvel Television was shut down in December 2019, stopping development on any further series. Only one of the planned series was released, '' Helstrom''.
Untitled Star Lord T’Challa series
In October 2021, '' What If...?'' director Bryan Andrews stated that a spin-off series revolving around the Star Lord T'Challa character introduced in " What If... T'Challa Became a Star Lord?" was in development, but was in "limbo" following the death of T'Challa actor Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Aaron Boseman (; November 29, 1976August 28, 2020) was an American actor. During his two-decade career, Boseman received two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a Critics' Choice Movie Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award, ...
. Andrews also confirmed that Boseman was interested in the project and wanted some elements from ''What If...?'' to come to the mainline MCU.
Animated
''Ant-Man and the Wasp''
In the 1980s, an ''Ant-Man and the Wasp'' animated series was in development, but was eventually abandoned.
''Iron Man''
In 1980, an ''Iron Man
Iron Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer and editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby. The charact ...
'' TV series was one of several pitches, resulting in an unaired pilot and an abandoned prospect of a full-fledged series.
''Daredevil and Lightning the Super-Dog''
In the 1980s, ABC had planned a Daredevil animated television series that would have featured a guide dog
Guide dogs (colloquially known in the US as seeing-eye dogs) are assistance dogs trained to lead blind or visually impaired people around obstacles. Although dogs can be trained to navigate various obstacles, they are red–green colour blin ...
named "Lightning the Super-Dog".[Mark Evanier, quoted in: ] Television writer Mark Evanier
Mark Stephen Evanier (; born March 2, 1952) is an American comic book and television writer, known for his work on the animated TV series ''Garfield and Friends'' and on the comic book ''Groo the Wanderer''. He is also known for his columns and b ...
said in 2008 that he was the last in a line of writers to have written a pilot and series bible, with his including Lightning as a guide dog without superpowers. Production stills for a proposed Daredevil animated series meant to air on Fox Kids
Fox Kids (originally known as Fox Children's Network and later as the Fox Kids Network; stylized as FOX KIDS) was an American children's block programming, programming block and branding for a slate of international children's television channel ...
were made.
''X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men''
'' X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men'' is a pun on the name of Kitty Pryde, the youngest of the X-Men. The series that this episode was intended to launch never materialized; Marvel Productions would have to go back to the drawing board for 1992's ''X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, first appearing in Uncanny X-Men, ''The X-Men'' #1 by artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby and writer/editor Stan Lee in 1963. Although initially cancelled in ...
''. Funding for this pilot actually came from the budget for '' RoboCop: The Animated Series''. Instead of making a 13th episode of ''RoboCop'', Marvel Productions decided to use their funding to have Toei Animation
() is a Japanese animation studio primarily controlled by its namesake Toei Company. It has produced numerous series, including ''Sally the Witch,'' ''GeGeGe no Kitarō,'' ''Mazinger Z'', ''Galaxy Express 999'', ''Cutie Honey'', ''Dr. Slump'', ' ...
produce the animation for this pilot. The pilot itself is most specifically influenced by issues #129-139 of ''Uncanny X-Men
''Uncanny X-Men'', originally published as ''The X-Men'', is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics since 1963, and is the longest-running series in the X-Men comics franchise. It features a team of superheroes called the X ...
''. Shortly after this pilot was delivered, Marvel started having financial issues (New World Pictures
New World Pictures (also known as New World Entertainment and New World Communications Group, Inc.) was an American independent production, distribution, and (in its final years as an autonomous entity) multimedia company. It was founded in 197 ...
, who purchased the Marvel Entertainment Group
Marvel Entertainment, LLC (formerly Marvel Enterprises) is an American entertainment company founded in June 1998 and based in New York City, New York, formed by the merger of Marvel Entertainment Group and Toy Biz. The company is a wholly owned ...
or MEG from Cadence Industries
Cadence Industries Corporation, formerly known as Perfect Film & Chemical Corporation, was an American conglomerate owned by Martin S. Ackerman. From 1968 through 1986, Cadence Industries was the parent company of Marvel Comics Group (formerl ...
in 1986, sold MEG in January 1989 to the Andrews Group) and stopped work on just about everything but '' Muppet Babies''. This pilot effectively marked the end of the Marvel animated universe created by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises/Marvel Productions
New World Animation Ltd., formerly known as Marvel Productions, was the television and film studio subsidiary of the Marvel Entertainment Group, based in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. It later became a subsidiary of New World Entertainment ...
, which began with ''Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team debuted in ''The Fantastic Four'' #1 ( cover dated Nov. 1961), helping usher in a new level of realism in the medium. It was the first ...
'' (1978) and continued with ''Spider-Woman
Spider-Woman is the code name of several fictional characters in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first and original version is Jessica Drew (later impersonated by Veranke), the second version is Julia Carpenter, and the third vers ...
'' (1979), ''Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appeared in the anthology comic book '' Amazing Fantasy'' #15 (August 1962) in the ...
'' (1981), ''Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends may refer to the following shows:
* ''Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends'' (1981 TV series), a 1981 cartoon series
* ''Spidey and His Amazing Friends'' (2021 TV series), a 2021 Disney Junior cartoon
{{Disam ...
'' (1981) and ''The Incredible Hulk
The Hulk is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of '' The Incredible Hulk'' (May 1962). In his comic book a ...
'' (1982). The X-Men themselves had previously guest starred in several episodes
Episodes may refer to:
* Episode
An episode is a narrative unit within a larger dramatic work or documentary production, such as a series intended for radio, television or streaming consumption.
The noun ''episode'' is derived from the Greek ...
of ''Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends'', although that particular series isn't necessarily in the same continuity as "Pryde of the X-Men".
''Solarman''
In 1988 a 22-minute animated ''Solarman
Solarman is a fictional comic book superhero that first appeared in 1979, published by Pendulum Press, and then starred in a self-titled two-issue series from Marvel Comics in 1989. Solarman was revived as a title by Scout Comics in 2016. The ch ...
'' pilot was produced, which its creator David Oliphant maintained ownership of, since he produced over $400,000 for its production, with Marvel acting as a licensee. It was released on VHS as a cross promotion tie-in with the first issue of Marvel Comics' adaptation. The pilot finally aired on October 24, 1992, as a special on Fox Kids
Fox Kids (originally known as Fox Children's Network and later as the Fox Kids Network; stylized as FOX KIDS) was an American children's block programming, programming block and branding for a slate of international children's television channel ...
, a week prior to the debut of the X-Men animated series. According to Oliphant, a major studio offered $15 million to create 64 animated episodes of ''Solarman'', but the studio cancelled this offer soon after on the advice of their consultants, who cautioned that Saturday morning superhero cartoons would soon die out in popularity.
Ruby-Spears ''Thor''
Artwork by Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby (born Jacob Kurtzberg; August 28, 1917 – February 6, 1994) was an American comic book artist, writer and editor, widely regarded as one of the medium's major innovators and one of its most prolific and influential creators. He gr ...
from a planned ''Thor
Thor (; from non, Þórr ) is a prominent god in Germanic paganism. In Norse mythology, he is a hammer-wielding god associated with lightning, thunder, storms, sacred groves and trees, strength, the protection of humankind, hallowing, an ...
'' animated series, in the 1980s, by Ruby-Spears Productions
Ruby-Spears Productions (also known as Ruby-Spears Enterprises) was a Burbank, California–based American entertainment production company that specialized in animation with another branch in Rome, Italy. This company was founded in 1977 by vete ...
has surfaced.
''Captain America''
In the 1990s, a planned ''Captain America
Captain America is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the character First appearance, first appeared in ''#Golden Age, Captain America Comics'' #1 (cover ...
'' animated series from Saban Entertainment
Saban Entertainment, Inc. (along with Saban International; currently operating under the legal name is BVS Entertainment, Inc.) was a worldwide-served independent American-Israeli television production company formed in 1980 by Haim Saban and ...
to air on Fox Kids
Fox Kids (originally known as Fox Children's Network and later as the Fox Kids Network; stylized as FOX KIDS) was an American children's block programming, programming block and branding for a slate of international children's television channel ...
proposed that Captain America's true name was Tommy Tompkins, with "Steve Rogers" being a cover name assigned to him by the U.S. Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cl ...
. The Red Skull
The Red Skull is an alias used by several supervillains appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics and its predecessor Timely Comics. The first version, George Maxon, appeared in ''Captain America Comics'' #1 and #4. The main ...
would appear as the main antagonist. The series was cancelled during production with scripts written, characters designed and a one-minute pitch film produced, because of Marvel's bankruptcy.
''Marvel Era''
In 2012-2013, Powerhouse Animation Studios
Powerhouse Animation Studios, Inc. is an American animation studio based in Austin, Texas. It was founded in April 2001 with a subsidiary called Powerhouse Animation LLC, established in summer of 2014. The company develops and produces tradition ...
pitched an idea for an animated Marvel series titled ''Marvel Era''. The shorts series was to be made in time with Marvel's 75th anniversary and would have consisted of stand alone stories focusing on different Marvel characters in different eras with different animation styles. CEO Brad Graeber revealed that 14 concepts were pitched including, "A 40's Captain America
Captain America is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the character First appearance, first appeared in ''#Golden Age, Captain America Comics'' #1 (cover ...
d-day
The Normandy landings were the landing operations and associated airborne operations on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during World War II. Codenamed Operation Neptune and often referred to as D ...
story in the style of Fleischer Studios, a Sub-Mariner U-boat story, a 60's X-Men
The X-Men are a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, first appearing in Uncanny X-Men, ''The X-Men'' #1 by artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby and writer/editor Stan Lee in 1963. Although initially cancelled in ...
story that featured a mutant who led a cult with his powers. There was also a very cinema 70's Luke Cage
Lucas "Luke" Cage, born Carl Lucas and also known as Power Man, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in ''Luke Cage, Hero for Hire'' #1 (June 1972) and was created by Archie Go ...
and Iron Fist, an 80's Punisher
The Punisher (Francis "Frank" Castle, born Castiglione) is an antihero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita Sr. and Ross Andru. The Punisher made ...
story that leaned into '' Scarface'' and ''Miami Vice
''Miami Vice'' is an American crime drama television series created by Anthony Yerkovich and produced by Michael Mann (director), Michael Mann for NBC. The series stars Don Johnson as James "Sonny" Crockett and Philip Michael Thomas as Ricardo ...
'', and a Deadpool
Deadpool is an antihero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Fabian Nicieza and artist/writer Rob Liefeld, the character first appeared in ''New Mutants'' #98 (cover-dated Feb. 1991). Initially, Deadp ...
story made based on cheesy 90's cartoons." The project was cancelled due to the then current shift in management at Marvel, following The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Disney was originally founded on October ...
's purchase. In 2021, Graeber revealed the animation test that was pitched to Marvel.
''The Offenders'' Hulu series
In February 2019, Hulu
Hulu () is an American subscription streaming service majority-owned by The Walt Disney Company, with Comcast's NBCUniversal holding a minority stake. It was launched on October 29, 2007 and it offers a library of films and television serie ...
ordered adult animated Marvel series based on MODOK
MODOK (also written as M.O.D.O.K.; an acronym for Mental/Mobile/Mechanized Organism Designed Only for Killing) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first MODOK is George Tarleton, a former e ...
, Hit-Monkey
Hit-Monkey is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Publication history
Created by writer Daniel Way and artist Dalibor Talajić, Hit-Monkey first appeared in ''Hit-Monkey'' #1 (April 2010), a digi ...
, Tigra
Tigra (Greer Grant Nelson) is a fictional superheroine appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Introduced as the superpowered and gadget-wielding crime fighter the Cat in ''The Claws of the Cat'' #1 (November 1972). The ...
and Dazzler, and Howard the Duck
Howard the Duck is a fictional Character (arts), character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Steve Gerber and artist Val Mayerik. Howard the Duck first appeared in ''Adventure into F ...
, leading up to a crossover special titled ''The Offenders''. In January 2020, Marvel decided not to move forward with ''Howard the Duck'', ''Tigra & Dazzler'', and ''The Offenders'', with ''M.O.D.O.K.
MODOK (also written as M.O.D.O.K.; an acronym for Mental/Mobile/Mechanized Organism Designed Only for Killing) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The first MODOK is George Tarleton, a former e ...
'' and '' Hit Monkey'' continuing as planned.
See also
* List of television series based on Marvel Comics publications
* Marvel Comics Video Library
References
External links
Marvel-Less: 20 TV Shows Marvel Cancelled Way Too Soon
on Comic Book Resources
''Comic Book Resources'', also known by the initialism CBR, is a website dedicated to the coverage of comic book–related news and discussion.
History
Comic Book Resources was founded by Jonah Weiland in 1995 as a development of the Kingdom Co ...
{{Marvel Animation
Television shows based on Marvel Comics
Marvel
Marvel may refer to:
Business
* Marvel Entertainment, an American entertainment company
** Marvel Comics, the primary imprint of Marvel Entertainment
** Marvel Universe, a fictional shared universe
** Marvel Music, an imprint of Marvel Comics
* ...
Unproduced television projects based on Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...