The future ‘Daredevil’ Netflix series will count as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, says Marvel’s Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada.
Set to start production in July, ‘Daredevil‘ is the first of four small screen shows being produced for the online network, to be followed by ‘Jessica Jones,’ ‘Iron Fist‘ and ‘Luke Cage.’
The plan is for all four of these characters ultimately come together in a fifth show, mini-series ‘The Defenders.’
Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Daredevil, and Jessica Jones make up Marvel’s Defenders
Quesada discussed the matter wherein he also revealed that the shows will be released online in bulk, as opposed to a gradual week-by-week release schedule (Praise Netflix for allow binge-watching):
“You’re going to get all these episodes, and you can watch them however you want, and then watch them again.”
Quesada has been a major figure at Marvel for some time, working his way up from being a writer/artist to editor of the Marvel Knights line in 1998, before becoming editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics two years later – a role he vacated in 2011 following his promotion within the Marvel Entertainment ranks.
Let’s hope this Daredevil doesn’t suck!
Perceptive viewers may remember a criminal named Quesada being hunted down by Ben Affleck in the ill-fated 2003 ‘Daredevil’ movie (Yes I mentioned the movie, I’m sorry!).
The property seems to be particularly close to Quesada’s heart and he takes great pride that the Netflix shows will be shot in the city of Marvel Comics, and the place where many of their titles are set – New York City.
“We’re shooting in New York. We’re shooting where these characters belong. These stories take place in Hell’s Kitchen. It thrills me to no end to have these things happening in New York. That alone is going to give it an incredible vibe… it’s like Marvel taking ownership of New York, saying this is where we’re from, this is our universe, this is where it started.”
Jessica Jones A.K.A Alias (some of you may remember that show)
Perhaps it’s no great revelation to learn these shows being set within the same universe as the Marvel movies, as has been the case with the ‘Agents of SHIELD’ series.
Even so, Quesada confirms, “There will be some interconnectivity, much like the movies… this is all the same world as S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers” – but he insists the tone and content of the material will be distinctly different. I for one have stuck with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D from the start and think it has become a fantastic show showing that Marvel are capable of taking on DC for the small screen. However I do still feel they have a lot to catch up on as at current Arrow is a phenomenal show which will soon be complemented by I’m sure the excellent Flash tv show. In writing this though yes I do address that DC have a LOT of catch up to do on the big screen.
Iron Fist, looking forward to this one the most!
“Although these are superhero stories, this is different now…this is the street level noir side of the Marvel Universe. Something that you haven’t really seen in any of our Marvel movies and probably more ground level, than I think you’ve seen. This is very Marvel doing street level superheroes.”
Quesada also insists that the scripts for ‘Daredevil’ are “pretty fantastic. They’re really emotional. They’re very, very original,” and that they will “hopefully start casting really, really soon.”
One detail Quesada refused to divulge, however, is whether or not Daredevil will again be doing battle with Wilson Fisk, AKA The Kingpin, as portrayed by the late Michael Clarke Duncan in the movie, replying only “I’m not going to say who the villain is in our story.”
Will be interesting to see who gets cast as Luke Cage!
That’s Marvel, keeping us guessing all the time. But if they’re covering the street level of the Marvel universe, I find it very hard to believe the Kingpin won’t be in this show somewhere…
Excited about ‘Daredevil’ and the other ‘Defenders’ shows? Let me know.
Hero Nut 
Good point about DC being ahead of marvel on the small screen.
I think the success of these shows will hinge on production value and then the quality of the villians
Yes it will be great in the next few years to see Marvels development on television. However at the moment as much as I love SHIELD I do prefer Arrow as it is much grittier and more established. Hopefully SHIELD can continue its second wind into season 2 (if it gets one).
I think it’ll be interesting to see if Marvel can conquer television like they’ve captured the movies. If Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D is any indication it’s a struggle. But the movies can tell a broader story through the shows. Good news!
– Maurice
The Geek Twins