Marvel TV Head Teases Possible Return Of The Defenders Shows

After Iron Fist, Luke Cage, and Daredevil were axed in quick succession, it felt like only a matter of time before The Punisher and Jessica Jones suffered the same fate. Sure enough, the announcement came earlier today that both shows have officially been canceled, meaning that the upcoming third season of JJ will mark the end of the Marvel/Netflix era.

In recognition of this moment, Marvel Television president Jeph Loeb has shared an open letter to fans via Marvel.com that reflects on the company’s run with Netflix. But while the message largely contemplates all that the team has accomplished on the platform, Loeb also ends things on a note of optimism concerning the future, writing:

“Our Network partner may have decided they no longer want to continue telling the tales of these great characters… but you know Marvel better than that.

As Matthew Murdock’s Dad once said, ‘The measure of a man is not how he gets knocked to the mat, it’s how he gets back up.’

To be continued…!”

So, what do these closing comments mean? Well, maybe Loeb is just putting a brave face on the situation, but fans are already hoping that the producer is hinting at actual plans to bring back the canceled properties in some way.

Earlier this month, Loeb stated at the TCA winter press tour that while he isn’t at liberty to discuss the details of the recent wave of cancelations, he wouldn’t be surprised if the canceled shows “reemerged” somewhere else. Meanwhile, Hulu’s Senior Vice President of Original Programming said last week that he was “open” to the possibility of reviving the shows.

Speaking of Hulu, in the wake of the Disney/Fox deal, the Mouse House will soon own majority stake in the service, and with Marvel recently partnering with the platform to work on four adult-oriented animated shows, it certainly sounds like Disney may have plans to use Hulu as their new home for less family-friendly projects.

At the same time, a report published last December by Variety alleged that the Defenders and possibly the Punisher may not be allowed to appear on any non-Netflix releases until two years after cancelation. It could therefore be a long wait before we see these character back on our screens, but for what it’s worth, the third season of Jessica Jones is still to come later this year.