Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Echo

  • ‘Echo’ Star Alaqua Cox Explains How Her Childhood Trauma Prepared Her for the Role

    ‘Echo’ Star Alaqua Cox Explains How Her Childhood Trauma Prepared Her for the Role

    Alaqua Cox was brand new to the Hollywood scene when she co-starred in Marvel Studios 2021 D+ streaming series, Hawkeye. After having only one high school play under her belt, the actress serendipitously came across a casting call for a deaf, Native American actress and decided, in her own words, “to go for it.” After landing the role of Maya Lopez, Cox‘s hard work and determination in the role impressed the Marvel brass so much that, according to executive producer Trinh Tran, they determined she’s earned the opportunity to “be a superhero in her own right.” That decision led to the development of the Marvel Spotlight series, Echo, which debuts simultaneously on both Disney Plus and Hulu on January 9th.

    Echo represents the first Marvel Studios project led by a deaf and Native American and, due to some intense violence, is also their first TV-MA offering. As seen in Hawkeye, Maya Lopez grew up in the world of organized crime in New York; however, Echo is set to explore an earlier period in time in the character’s life and detail the trauma that led her and her father, William Lopez, to end up working for Wilson Fisk. During a global press event, Cox explained how her own set of difficult circumstances prepared her for the role of Echo.

    Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez in Marvel Studios’ Echo, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. ©Marvel Studios 2023. All Rights Reserved.

    Well, we’re similar. I was raised with some trauma. We both have childhood trauma, of course, that we’re raised with. And it was different, of course. For example, I grew up, as you know, I am an amputee. So, I went through many different kinds of surgeries as a child. And so, that made me a warrior, in a sense. And her, Maya, she had the death of her mother, and all these tragic events that happened in her life. So, we both have different traumatic experiences. So, it kind of makes us very similar in a way because we’re both warriors, and we’re tough, and we’re badass, and I believe that’s how we’re the same.

    -Alaqua Cox

    While Cox certainly faced–and overcame–significant trauma to end up starring in her own Marvel Studios series, her childhood wasn’t defined by it. The actress, who grew up on the Menominee Indian Reservation in Wisconsin, credits a life full of athletics, along with growing up with an older brother, for toughening her up and preparing for the physical role.

    “Luckily, I grew up playing different kinds of sports as well,” said Cox. “Plus, I do have an older brother who helped me become more of an athlete, because he’s very much an athletic person. We’re about a year and a half apart, so we wrestled growing up. So that toughened me up. And then, when I did get the role,” she continued, “I had a stunt training team. About five days a week I would go to the training, and it was a lot. I learned so much as well. ‘Cause growing up in sports, there wasn’t a lot of stunt-specific things in sports, so stunt training was a whole new world to me. And I was able to learn choreography, jabs, fights, and those specific moves, and that was so fun, and very challenging as well. But that was the greatest part of the project. So, it was a fun journey for me.“

    As seen in the trailers and promotional footage for the series, Cox did quite a bit of her own stuntwork for the series, including a one-take fight scene similar to those featured in Netflix’s Daredevil series. See how Cox’s determination and hard work has paid off when Echo debuts on January 9th.

    About Echo

    Marvel Studios presents Echo, spotlighting Maya Lopez as she is pursued by Wilson Fisk’s criminal empire. When the journey brings her home, she must confront her own family and legacy. Echo stars Alaqua Cox (Hawkeye) as Maya Lopez, as well as Chaske Spencer (Wild Indian, The English), Tantoo Cardinal (Killers of the Flower Moon, Stumptown), Devery Jacobs (FX’s Reservation Dogs, American Gods), Zahn McClarnon (Dark Winds, FX’s Reservation Dogs) and Cody Lightning (Hey, Viktor!, Four Sheets to the Wind), with Graham Greene (1883, Goliath) and Vincent D’Onofrio (Hawkeye, Daredevil, Law & Order: Criminal Intent), who returns to the villainous role of Wilson Fisk aka Kingpin.

    Episodes of the series are directed by Sydney Freeland (Navajo) and Catriona McKenzie (Gunaikurnai). Executive producers are Kevin Feige, Stephen Broussard, Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Victoria Alonso, Richie Palmer, Jason Gavin (Blackfeet), Marion Dayre and Sydney Freeland. Co-executive producers are Jennifer L. Booth and Amy Rardin. Marvel Studios’ Echo launches on Disney+ and Hulu Jan. 9, 2024.

  • ‘Echo’: Marvel Studios New Marvel Spotlight Explained

    ‘Echo’: Marvel Studios New Marvel Spotlight Explained

    Marvel’s next streaming series, Echo, will check off a lot of “firsts” for the studio. With a story centered around Alqua Cox’s Maya Lopez–who was first introduced in 2021’s D+ streaming series, Hawkeye— Echo will be the first MCU project led by both a deaf and Native American actress. As the studio’s first TV-MA project, it will stream synchronously on Hulu and D+, where all 5 episodes will drop on January 9th. And, after some post-production retooling, the series will also be the first project to debut under a brand new production banner for the studio known as Marvel Spotlight. The banner is more than just semantical doublespeak, however, as it represents a new direction for the studio that’s deeply connected to the long history of Marvel Comics.

    One of three “tryout books” devised by Stan Lee when he became president of the House of Ideas, Marvel Spotlight was an anthology series that introduced new characters such as Red Wolf, Jessica Drew, Werewolf By Night, Ghost Rider and Son of Satan and then assess the reaction of the readership before greenlighting new series. Additionally, Marvel Spotlight books included stories about previously established characters which, in some cases, retconned major pieces of their stories or provided additional background essential to them. One such instance was 1976’s Marvel Spotlight #31 which in a story about Nick Fury, introduced the Infinity Formula as the reason behind the character’s unnatural hold on youth. Though Echo is not the first appearance of Maya Lopez, the series does stick to the Marvel Spotlight in this way by revealing the true origin of the character.

    Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez in Marvel Studios’ Echo, releasing on Hulu and Disney+. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. ©Marvel Studios 2023. All Rights Reserved.

    According to an official project announcement from Marvel Studios, Marvel Spotlight projects will bring “more grounded, character-driven stories to the screen.” Additionally, “under the new banner“, series such as Echo “can focus on street-level stakes over larger MCU continuity” and, perhaps most importantly, “viewers don’t have to watch any other Marvel series to understand the plot.” While the “street-level stakes” are certainly eye-catching, especially for fans of Netflix’s Defenders-verse series, the last bit of the announcement deserves some attention as well.

    In theory–and hopefully in practice–a Marvel Spotlight series will not require any prior exposure to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the case of Echo, that means anyone who tunes in on Disney Plus or Hulu will not have to have seen, nor have any understanding of, Hawkeye, Spider-Man: No Way Home, She-Hulk: Attorney At Law or even, as heretical as it may seem, a single one of Daredevil’s 39 episodes. Not only does that render features such as the ridiculous “The Ultimate List of What to Watch Before Echo” totally meaningless, it also implies–if not promises–that any and all background information necessary to fully digest the plot of Echo will be included within its 5 episodes.

    In this way, the new banner represents an interesting pivot for the studio at a time when casual fans have begun to decry the interconnectivity of the projects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (please, let that last sentence strike you however it may). Yes, Marvel Spotlight projects like Echo will include characters, such as Daredevil and Kingpin, from the ever-expanding MCU but whatever is NECESSARY to the plot of the series will be contained within. That provides a classic win-win scenario for Marvel Studios in which if a viewer wants to watch every episode of Daredevil or Hawkeye ahead of Echo, they could–potentially–find their viewing experience enhanced. However, a newbie could also tune in on January 9th and find out everything they need to know throughout a much shorter period of time. Choose your own adventure and you win either way.

    About Echo

    Marvel Studios presents Echo, spotlighting Maya Lopez as she is pursued by Wilson Fisk’s criminal empire. When the journey brings her home, she must confront her own family and legacy. Echo stars Alaqua Cox (Hawkeye) as Maya Lopez, as well as Chaske Spencer (Wild Indian, The English), Tantoo Cardinal (Killers of the Flower Moon, Stumptown), Devery Jacobs (FX’s Reservation Dogs, American Gods), Zahn McClarnon (Dark Winds, FX’s Reservation Dogs) and Cody Lightning (Hey, Viktor!, Four Sheets to the Wind), with Graham Greene (1883, Goliath) and Vincent D’Onofrio (Hawkeye, Daredevil, Law & Order: Criminal Intent), who returns to the villainous role of Wilson Fisk aka Kingpin.

    Episodes of the series are directed by Sydney Freeland (Navajo) and Catriona McKenzie (Gunaikurnai). Executive producers are Kevin Feige, Stephen Broussard, Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Victoria Alonso, Richie Palmer, Jason Gavin (Blackfeet), Marion Dayre and Sydney Freeland. Co-executive producers are Jennifer L. Booth and Amy Rardin. Marvel Studios’ Echo launches on Disney+ and Hulu Jan. 9, 2024.

  • Marvel Studios Sets 2024 Streaming Slate

    Marvel Studios Sets 2024 Streaming Slate

    Through a press release via Disney UK, Marvel Studios 2024 streaming slate has been revealed.

    As has been expected for some time, 2024 will only see 3 Marvel Studios projects hit the streaming service: Echo, Agatha: Darkhold Diaries and X-Men ’97.

    Echo will kick off the year for the studio with all 5 episodes debuting simultaneously on Hulu and Disney + on January 10th. While no release date was given for Kathryn Hahn‘s Agatha: Darkhold Diaries, it’s expected to begin streaming in September. Live Darkhold Diaries, X-Men ’97, a revival of the beloved X-Men: The Animated Series, doesn’t have a firm release date but has long been rumored to be debuting “early in 2024.”

    Source: Disney + UK

  • Marvel Studios is at a Crossroads

    Marvel Studios is at a Crossroads

    Marvel Studios’ has faced its worst opening weekend with The Marvels. Is it a simple discussion surrounding superhero or Marvel fatigue? Going by just how varied the discussions are online, it’s very likely not as simple as anyone wants it to be. One could discuss the impact of the last few years, a rough 2023 box office for blockbusters, the SAG as well as WGA strikes, and many more factors. So, there might simply not be a singular reason and just a lot of elements coming together.

    Of course, these kinds of numbers establish the expected “end” of Marvel Studios’ discussion online. Articles have dropped announcing that the films are no longer events which is why no one is watching them. Certain subsections proclaim the end of Marvel due to “wokeness” and whatever personal reason one has when leaving the franchise behind as “it should’ve ended with Endgame” echoes throughout the dark corners of the web. For years, the discussion was that superhero movies would go the way of the Western and if that point has been reached, we’ll likely see a very different Marvel Studios moving forward.

    As such, it seems like the perfect time to discuss what exactly the future might hold for Marvel Studios and likely the results that’ll come from this blow at the box office. We have no insight into what Marvel Studios will truly do moving forward but there are already some minor hints that may tease what the future has in store and what we can expect from the studio that reinvented blockbusters for over 15 years. We’re at a crossroads and potentially the beginning of a new era moving forward.

    First Signs Exist in 2023

    Bob Iger returned as the CEO of Disney, which saw Bob Chapek try his best to figure out what exactly they would be doing during a pandemic. He carried over the Disney+ goals that were started by his predecessor only to buckle under the weight and get replaced. Yet, Iger’s run since hasn’t been something one would describe as a “return to form” but he has pointed out that a reduction of releases is something they are definitely going to review the future.

    At the time the pandemic hit, we were leaning into a huge increase in how much we were making. And I’ve always felt that quantity can be actually a negative when it comes to quality, and I think that’s exactly what happened. We lost some focus.

    Bob Iger

    2023 was still a big push from all studios to make bank after a rough pandemic, but it has led to many films fizzling out. As much as we want to point to Barbenheimer and Super Mario Bros. Movie as a showcase of how strong the year was: it simply wasn’t. Many films have bloated budgets due to filming during COVID and subsequently were never going to truly make their money back outside of some massive numbers. Prices are on the rise and with a cost of living crisis affecting people’s decisions, it becomes clear that people are far more selective than they’ve ever been (a reason it’s not as simple as just fatigue).

    One thing is clear though: we’ll see fewer releases moving forward. We already saw the reduction of output in 2023 with only two Disney+ series hitting the streaming service with quite a bit of time between each release; even if Secret Invasion didn’t quite help matters. The Marvels was pushed from July to November, which ended up hurting it due to the actor’s strike heavily hampering its promotion build-up. So, we’re already in the middle of a transition phase for the studio.

    New Disney+ Strategy

    Actually, there is one new highlight I ended up leaving out and that is Marvel Spotlight. Out of nowhere, Marvel Studios unveiled an entirely new banner just for their “grounded” stories that aren’t necessary for the major storyline being told throughout the phases. It was a strategic move that definitely left some ripples alongside a strong first impression with Echo’s trailer. Ever since there’s been a bit more positivity in the air that was definitely needed for the franchise that has been. Of course, outlets were still ready to say it’s too late or won’t fix any of the issues it’s facing. Head of Streaming, Brad Winderbaum, shared the inspiration for this new brand:

    Marvel Spotlight gives us a platform to bring more grounded, character-driven stories to the screen, and in the case of Echo, focusing on street-level stakes over larger MCU continuity. Just like comics fans didn’t need to read Avengers or Fantastic Four to enjoy a Ghost Rider Spotlight comic.

    Brad Winderbaum

    It’s unclear if this might just become the de facto banner for the Disney+ shows and the way it is being described is to ease viewers into it. The fact of the matter is: there’s a lot of debate about Disney+ and the film’s connections potentially muddling viewership a bit, especially with The Marvels that technically ties into multiple stories. While many have been quick to point out that every Marvel film quickly introduces elements from these shows and doesn’t require audiences to do the homework they complain about online, it’s a clever way to just visually create a distinction and ease audiences in.

    Still, one thing that the Disney+ shows should do is focus primarily on becoming the venue of exploring either side stories from movie characters or simply setting up its own subset within the grander universe. In a way, they could take the Defenders approach from Netflix and simply have its own little build-up with various characters that can bleed into Avengers releases that tie the entire Phase together. Small references here or there could ease viewers in but not lead to discussions of: “why is Ms. Marvel headlining a movie, does it mean I need to watch her show to know who she is?”

    Daredevil and Echo could become the grounded, street-level heroes on Disney+ that are visually and much more distinct from what they do with the movies. That would also help make the films stand out more, as these shows are no longer just as bombastic and expensive as their main counterparts. Agents of SHIELD worked as a complementary series that looked like it was part of the universe but distinctively is a TV series.

    New Cinematic Strategy

    2024 will only give us Deadpool 3 and that likely is mainly due to the writer’s strike but also potentially a deliberate choice to restructure next year. The only question is if they will stick with their 2025 schedule, which now includes three releases as is the usual norm for the studio. Yet, we might see them move away from that once they start reshuffling moving forward.

    The biggest problem that plagues these films is the production costs that have ballooned since COVID. The Marvels marks the final production that occurred during that time with everything heading our way in the coming years once again being under somewhat normal production rules for the studio moving forward. Though the SAG and WGA strikes are definitely going to show their thorns with Captain America: Brave New World which is getting extensive reshoots and Deadpool 3.

    Still, it would seem wise to perhaps pull back a bit going into 2025. Once again rolling out three films and who knows how many Disney+ series might just set them right back to where they are currently. Perhaps going back to the days of two releases a year to slowly build up momentum again might be the best way forward.

    Hell, if they do it right they could have one major event release per year with a bigger budget behind it, something we might see with Captain America 4, and then try to focus on a smaller project in that same year which can make back its money with even a softer release. Blade is rumored to have a $100M production budget and would perfectly fit that very bill. Once things “normalize” we might see the old MCU budgets back in action, as the current ones are definitely not intended. That way they can build up relevance and still given minor characters a spotlight even if they carry a bigger box office risk.

    No Single Solution

    Even making these examples and ideas of how Marvel Studios could move forward; mostly based on what signs are already there; there’s no true single solution to it all. Every franchise will eventually end up in a slump and the box office developments between The Marvels and previous projects are still showcasing a distinction. The current slump may remain an anomaly due to multiple factors affecting its release and the question will be if Deadpool 3 can draw in a crowd given where Marvel stands.

    Going into 2024, I wouldn’t expect many more releases outside of Echo and perhaps one more Disney+ series. There’s a chance the binge model works for them so they do make use of it to avoid the series occupying too much time and potentially not leading to the consensus of overwhelming audiences. Yet, this year has proven that they can have a massive success like Loki’s second season and a mild reception like Secret Invasion.

    The clear thing is: that once they show more consistency moving forward for audiences as they build toward Avengers: Secret Wars, we might see audiences once again return to theaters to not miss out on the latest Marvel movie. The studio is at a crossroads rather than an immediate stop. Whatever happens, moving forward depends on how they react to this current status and how they decide to build upon it moving forward.

    Source: The Verge, CNBC, Deadline, Variety, ComicBookMovies.com

  • Marvel Studios Unveils New ‘Spotlight’ Brand for

    Marvel Studios Unveils New ‘Spotlight’ Brand for

    Here’s a rather fascinating surprise. It looks like Marvel Studios was tired of people complaining about what is and isn’t part of the mainline storyline and has established a new brand. As the internet complains about fatigue and “filler” in the build-up towards the grander storyline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it seems they decided to establish a “Marvel Spotlight” with a brand new fanfare composed by Michael Giacchino. Its name is inspired by the anthology comic book series from 1971 and gives them the opportunity to explore smaller stories without the weight of “having to watch it all” the internet claims.

    Marvel Studios’ Head of Streaming Brad Winderbaum shared the following on the new branding:

    Marvel Spotlight gives us a platform to bring more grounded, character-driven stories to the screen, and in the case of Echo, focusing on street-level stakes over larger MCU continuity. Just like comics fans didn’t need to read Avengers or Fantastic Four to enjoy a Ghost Rider Spotlight comic, our audience doesn’t need to have seen other Marvel series to understand what’s happening in Maya’s story.

    Brad Winderbaum

    You can listen to the fanfare here:

    It makes sense and gives people the opportunity to be a bit more selective in what is or isn’t relevant. Ironically, it seems that the “homework” accusations are technically solved with this but it does expect that people are informed of what exactly this branding means. In a way, this is also their version of the Marvel Knights branding used in the comics to introduce darker, more grounded storylines. We’ll see how they use it in the future.

    Source: Marvel

  • Marvel Studios’ ‘Echo’ Series to Change Echo’s Powers

    Marvel Studios’ ‘Echo’ Series to Change Echo’s Powers

    Surprising everyone: the first trailer for the next Disney+ series Echo has dropped. It dropped in quite a fashion, as not only is it now a Disney+ and Hulu simultaneous release, but it’s also going to be Marvel Studios’ first TV-MA release. So, we’ll have to wait for its binge-release in January to see if the story delivers on the MA promise.

    In a small interview ahead of its release, director Sydney Freeland also teased that this version of the character might be quite a bit different from the comics. Echo was famous for her ability to copy anyone’s ability, which made her a formidable fighter against characters like Daredevil. It seems they have other plans for her according to the director.

    Her power in the comics is she can copy anything, any movement, any whatever. It’s kind of lame. I will say, that is not her power.

    Sydney Freeland

    Details are still scarce on what exactly her new power set might be; if there even will be one but it’s definitely interesting that they are trying to head into a new direction with the character. We’ll see if we get some teases in the coming months. A January release is kind of fitting given it’s a sequel to Hawkeye, which was released in December.

    Source: Variety

  • Marvel Studios’ Reshuffles its Disney+ Release Slate as ‘Agatha’ Gets a New Name

    Marvel Studios’ Reshuffles its Disney+ Release Slate as ‘Agatha’ Gets a New Name

    Marvel Studios has been shifting quite a few of its release dates as of late. While they certainly are going to for all projects that have yet to finish, it seems they also decided to map out some of their TV shows that were set to release on Diseny+ in the coming months. The biggest surprise is that Echo was pushed back (again) to a January release date even though it was previously slated for November 29th.

    What If…? is going to be released on Christmas Day, which is our first confirmation as it was initially going to be released in 2023. So, it’ll be the only other show releasing this year besides Loki later in October, which is already being heavily advertised by Marvel Studios. X-Men ’97 also seemingly is getting a release timing, as it is set for early 2024 after initially planned to release later this fall. Season 2 of the series is already in the works.

    Ironheart is off the schedule for now, as it seems it is affected by the strikes. The same goes for Daredevil: Born Again and Wonder Man, which had to pause in the middle of production. The big surprise is that Agatha: Coven of Chaos is getting another new name, this time Agatha: Darkhold Diaries. It initially was announced with the title Agatha: House of Harknes and is now set to release on Halloween next year.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • REPORT: ‘Reservation Dogs’ Mato Wayuhi to Score Marvel Studios ‘Echo’ Series

    REPORT: ‘Reservation Dogs’ Mato Wayuhi to Score Marvel Studios ‘Echo’ Series

    While the Loki trailer finally dropped teasing the second season, it isn’t the only other Disney+ series that is set to release later this year. Secret Invasion didn’t quite leave the internet ablaze as Andor did, Marvel Studios seems very intent on building up the latter half after a long hiatus before the last Disney+ series finally released. Echo will also mix things up with a binge drop, which might be a big test to see if that works better for Marvel Studios’ releases.

    News has been sparse on the series, but it seems we got at least one little detail on who will compose the music for the series. Native American composer Mato Wayuhi, famous for his work on the iconic series Reservation Dogs, is seemingly set to compose the soundtrack for Maya Lopez’s upcoming spinoff series.

    After first being introduced in Hawkeye, the character is going to have her own little story that’ll likely also set up the return of Charlie Cox’s Daredevil ahead of his own spinoff series that is currently on hold due to studios’ not paying their writers and actors. It’s a promising addition for the November release and also continues the trend of the series including a mainly Native American production.

    Source: Film Music Reporter

  • Marvel Stuntman Claims Marvel Studios Was “Going to Batgirl” an Upcoming Disney+ Show

    Marvel Stuntman Claims Marvel Studios Was “Going to Batgirl” an Upcoming Disney+ Show

    There are always a lot of eyes and ears out there trying to get the latest scoop on whatever Marvel Studios is up to. Rumors have been circulating far and wide that they’ve dragged down the overall experience and likely are a big factor in the “fatigue” discussions online, as we constantly hear reports of things that may never even happen or aren’t even true. Now, it seems a long-time Marvel stuntman, Chris Brewster, is joining the game with a rather curious statement.

    Taking part in the Ikuzo Unscripted podcast, the stuntman claims that one of the upcoming Disney+ shows was almost canned, or as he puts it: “They were going to Batgirl it.” The show he’s talking about is nonother than Echo, which was seemingly postponed quite a bit throughout its production as we’ve heard some time ago. While they are still moving forward with the show, he claims that is due to the strike.

    Uh, yeah, well, they… I always get the word of mouth. I heard they were going to ‘Batgirl’ it, because they weren’t happy with it and now they’re doing reshoots and are planning on airing it. But I think that could also have something to do with the fact that there’s a strike and there’s not a lot of content right now, so like, ‘We have it made already.

    Chris Brewster

    While there have been some discussions about not having enough time to make it work by head writer Marion Dayre, the series was delayed quite a bit. Of course, he also mentions reshoots that could make up for a lot of the troubles they faced and if it weren’t for the Internet we likely would’ve never known this. Who knows if the “word of mouth” he’s hearing isn’t also someone hearing it from another and things slightly alter from there. We can’t say if this was just an option on the table in a meeting, or if they generally were looking into the option fully. The drawback of these kinds of stories.

    Echo is set to be the first binge drop for the franchise on November 29th, at least for a live-action show. It has big ties to the upcoming Daredevil: Born Again series, which he also complained about not including Netflix’s original production team in the same interview. Though, one could argue that they aren’t tied to having to do the same project the exact same way and have a pool of talent that gave us some great stunts in the past. Plus, we don’t know what direction the production is heading given its many episodes.

    Source: Ikuzo Unscripted via The Direct

  • Marvel Studios President Hints at Strong International Performance of Disney+ Series

    Marvel Studios President Hints at Strong International Performance of Disney+ Series

    The Internet will often point to “quality over quantity” in regard to lower-than-usual performing Marvel movies. Though they still dominated most of 2022, their only “shortcoming” so far was Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania underperforming with 470M. Yes, it didn’t make its money back but it’s still an amount most people would dream of in such a competitive market after running for 10+ years. Still, the vocalization of the Internet’s displeasure has also been very openly pointed at Disney+.

    Some say the shows aren’t good enough quality, constantly dragging down the viewership numbers based on 3rd party tracking, and hatred from being too “woke” by a specific crowd. Last year, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Ms. Marvel took the brunt of it, but Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige left with a strong message during Disney’s Upfronts by pointing out that their shows have reached “often two to three times the numbers of viewers” from the “buzziest shows on competitive services.”

    Thanks to Disney+, we’ve expanded the Marvel Cinematic Universe into genre and formats new to us that we haven’t done before. We’ve been able to introduce exciting new heroes and villains, locations and storylines into the MCU. And I’m pleased to share that when you compare our Marvel series to some of the buzziest shows on competitive services, even our smallest series are reaching much more international audience – often two to three times the number of viewers.

    Kevin Feige

    We can’t really prove it and streaming services continue to share very little outside of Netflix, but it’s definitely an interesting perspective to offer. And it’s not like they are inventing numbers, it may be a showcase of the international audience embracing these shows more, and discussions on quality are much more diverse than they appear to be; especially if you see how the Internet reacts toward the existence of shows like The Good Doctor.

    We’ll see what the future holds for these shows, but Marvel is definitely taking a step back and changing up their strategy, such as Echo becoming a binge release. For now, it feels like we’re about to enter a new era as the pandemic has been left behind and theatrical releases are finally a viable strategy again.

    Source: The Direct via Twitter