According to a new report, in light of the plummeting interest of the studio’s Disney Plus-specific output and the overall struggling health of the platform itself, Marvel is cutting back – way back – on the frequency of their streaming specific releases.
This news was first brought to public attention on February 16th, courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter.
Per their insider sources within the company, in light of studio head Kevin Feige’s recent declaration to Entertainment Weekly that they would be both spacing out and scaling back their streaming release schedule so that each project can “get a chance to shine,” Marvel will be making themselves scarce in the coming year.
Where previously the studio was set to remain a prominent figure in the pop culture conversation throughout 2023 with Agatha: Coven of Chaos, Echo, Ironheart, Secret Invasion, Loki Season 2 and What If…? Season 2, THR’s sources now allege that this year will only see the release of Nick Fury and the God of Mischief’s respective outings.
Notable among these delays are Echo and Ironheart, as these two projects are being put on hold despite having finished filming months prior. Further, the insiders did not provide any alternative timetable for either of the other series’ respective premieres, suggesting that Marvel’s remaining Disney Plus slate has been delayed indefinitely.
Additionally, shows that were announced as in development, including Nova, are being placed on the back burner (it should be noted that this mention of the Human Rocket by THR’s sources appears to be the first indication that his project is being developed as a series rather than a proper MCU film).
“There is going to be a level of rigor on Marvel and across the entire company,” one insider told the entertainment news outlet. “Numbers matter now, and costs are going to be outlined and enforced.”
Curiously, none of THR’s sources appeared to have made mention of the upcoming X-Men ’97 animated series, leaving its current fate in limbo (keeping Madelyne Pryor company, no doubt).
Interestingly, while Marvel is pulling back, Lucasfilm is putting Star Wars into hyperdrive. One of THR’s insiders confirmed that in addition to releasing Ashoka, Skeleton Crew, and The Mandalorian Season 3, both Damon Lindelof and Taika Waiti are actively moving forward with their respective projects.
“Lucasfilm may ramp up, but it will have to abide by the same fiscal discipline as the rest of the company,” asserted the source.
These new claims come just days after Disney announced that, in an effort to help the company’s fiscal performance, they would be “embarking on a significant companywide cost reduction plan that we expect will reduce annualized noncontent-related expenses by roughly $2.5 billion, not including inflation.”
As explained by Disney CEO Bob Iger and CFO Christine McCarthy during the company’s Q1 2023 earnings call on February 8th, these measures will include reducing their workforce “by approximately 7,000 jobs” and a general spending reduction “comprised of approximately 50% marketing, 30% labor, and 20% technology, procurement, and other expenses.”
As of writing, despite being supposedly on track to release this year, neither Secret Invasion nor Loki have a confirmed release date.
