Marvel’s Netflix Phase Two Could Include Punisher, Blade, Black Widow And More

Those new characters could include the aforementioned Punisher, Ghost Rider and Blade, though the “hard PG-13” rating of the MCU makes the uber-violent antiheroes and supernatural aspects of the two latter characters (and the CGI required for Ghost Rider) difficult to accomplish. As such, we could expect to see them brought to life via a backdoor pilot in one of the upcoming Defenders shows, similarly to how Arrow helped launch The Flash two years ago.

Another way Marvel is looking to boost the Netflix side of things is by “working hard to get film actors to cameo.” We’ve already heard rumors that Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange could show up in Iron Fist, and Heroic Hollywood notes that Marvel is working hard to get him into The Defenders. 

Another possibility is to make a limited Netflix miniseries or film for characters like Black Widow and Hawkeye, that could “feature both TV and movie characters,” and effectively serve as a bridge between the film and TV worlds. However, “the planets would need to align” in order for that to come to fruition, so there are no guarantees on that front.

It’s disheartening to hear that Marvel Studios holds a bit of disinterest toward the TV side of the MCU, as it means that shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Agent Carter may never reach their full potential and could be doomed to outlier status forever. From a creative standpoint, however, leaning more heavily on the Netflix shows might be the better way to go, especially if it means giving fan-favorite characters like Punisher and Black Widow their time in the spotlight – which, frankly, is long overdue.