Two iconic characters from the Marvel comic books, The Punisher and Jessica Jones, are finally back under the company’s control.
The Punisher and Jessica Jones were the last two Marvel shows to air on Netflix, which were canceled exactly two years ago today.
Netflix’s contract with Marvel featured a clause, which LADBible discovered was mentioned in a 2018 Variety article, that prohibited the characters from appearing in any non-Netflix film or TV show for two years after its cancellation.
Back at Marvel: Two iconic characters from the Marvel comic books, The Punisher and Jessica Jones, are finally back under the company’s control
Last shows: The Punisher and Jessica Jones were the last two Marvel shows to air on Netflix, which were canceled exactly two years ago today
Marvel’s original deal with Netflix was for four shows – Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist, who were all based in New York City.
All four of the characters then came together in a limited series dubbed The Defenders, which aired in 2017.
Daredevil, Luke Cage and Iron Fist were all canceled by Netflix in 2018, with Netflix cancelling The Punisher and Jessica Jones on February 18, 2019.
Jessica: Marvel’s original deal with Netflix was for four shows – Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist, who were all based in New York City
All five of the shows were produced under Marvel’s television division, which was run by Jeph Loeb, which was shut down and folded into Marvel Studios in December 2019.
With the clause in Disney’s Netflix contract now expired, that gives the studio full reign to develop new shows or use the characters in other ways as well.
Jon Bernthal starred as Frank Castle, a.k.a. The Punisher, who first appeared in Season 2 of Daredevil before getting his own spin-off in 2017.
Full reign: With the clause in Disney’s Netflix contract now expired, that gives the studio full reign to develop new shows or use the characters in other ways as well
Spin-off: Jon Bernthal starred as Frank Castle, a.k.a. The Punisher, who first appeared in Season 2 of Daredevil before getting his own spin-off in 2017
The show lasted just two seasons, also starring Amber Rose Revah, Ben Barnes, Jason R. Moore, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Floriana Lima.
Daredevil was the first Marvel series on Netflix, debuting in 2015 and running for three seasons, starring Charlie Cox as Matt Murdoch/Daredevil.
Jessica Jones was the second series to arrive on the streaming service, also in 2015, starring Krysten Ritter, which spanned three seasons.
Two seasons: The show lasted just two seasons, also starring Amber Rose Revah, Ben Barnes, Jason R. Moore, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Floriana Lima
Luke Cage, starring Mike Colter, debuted in 2016 and ran for two seasons, with Iron Fist, starring Finn Jones, also spanning two seasons starting in 2016.
Marvel has yet to confirm any concrete plans with The Punisher, Jessica Jones, Daredevil, Luke Cage or Iron Fist characters as of yet.
Still, they usually bring re-acquired characters back into the MCU fold, as they’re doing now with a Blade reboot starring Mahershala Ali.
No plans: Marvel has yet to confirm any concrete plans with The Punisher, Jessica Jones, Daredevil, Luke Cage or Iron Fist characters as of yet