Netflix and Marvel TV recently announced they canceled Luke Cage just a week after the streaming service put the kibosh on Iron Fist. Now, a new report offers a number of reasons about why Luke Cage was cancelled.
Netflix and Marvel TV released a joint statement confirming the show was cancelled:
“Unfortunately, Marvel’s Luke Cage will not return for a third season. Everyone at Marvel Television and Netflix is grateful to the dedicated showrunner, writers, cast and crew who brought Harlem’s Hero to life for the past two seasons, and to all the fans who have supported the series.”
The Hollywood Reporter indicates the show was canceled due to “creative differences.” It also adds there was an “inability to agree to terms for a third season of the show.”
Showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker seemed to have been caught off guard by the news.
A lot memories. A lot of individual thank you calls to make. Just want to say thank you to Marvel, Netflix, the best Writer’s room, cast, crew, the Midnight Hour, all those who graced the stage at Harlem’s Paradise and the most incredible fan base in the world. Forward always…
— Cheo Hodari Coker (@cheo_coker) October 20, 2018
However, he also seemed grateful for being allowed to work on the show.
Not sour. The show was a gift.
— Cheo Hodari Coker (@cheo_coker) October 20, 2018
Luke Cage actor Mike Colter was also thankful for the opportunity to portray Luke Cage and had a positive message.
What he said… #LukeCage #fantasticfans #gonebutnotforgotten pic.twitter.com/z9wAGkH8HN
— Mike Colter (@realmikecolter) October 22, 2018
I am forever grateful to Marvel and Netflix for letting me portray such a prolific character, and I thank you amazing fans. As one door closes, another has opened, with the birth of my daughter this week. A lot of great memories. Time to make more. Always forward, forward always pic.twitter.com/Dvv4YOBeEE
— Mike Colter (@realmikecolter) October 22, 2018
Bushmaster actor Mustafa Shakir had a little bit of a different response to the cancellation indicating the people behind the decision might not be okay!
The cancellation of both Luke Cage and Iron Fist brings Marvel TV’s shows on Netflix down to Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Punisher. The decision also comes on the heels of Disney getting ready to launch its own streaming service which is expected to have a number of Marvel Cinematic Universe tie-in shows including rumored shows involving Loki and Scarlet Witch.
But maybe what’s even more interesting is that The Kingdom Insider has hinted that Disney is making significant cuts to its theme parks including Walt Disney World. It’s possible with the upcoming Fox buyout, Disney is making not only cuts to their theme parks, but to their other divisions as well in order to prepare for the launch of their streaming service. The Kingdom Insider speculates that “Disney needs to free up some cash going into 2019” in order to prepare for these big changes.