While the film side of the MCU continues to grow with plenty of exciting projects on the horizon, Disney+ also allows for it to expand to television in some really fascinatting ways. This summer, several big MCU shows were announced such as The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, WandaVision and Moon Knight, to name just a few.
Of course, this is not the first time Marvel has undertaken some ambitious television plans. Not too long ago, Marvel and Netflix were building their own universe with shows like Daredevil, The Punisher, and Jessica Jones. The Disney+ shows promise to be very different, but it remains to be seen if they’ll match up with the Netflix series. Here are some of the reasons the Disney+ MCU shows will be better than the Netflix shows and how they will never be.
Better: MCU Stars
One of the biggest things that pops out about the Disney+ shows is the amazing talents they have been able to bring aboard. With many of the characters from the MCU films appearing in these series, we will see the big-name actors reprising the roles on the shows.
While the Netflix shows had great casts, the idea of Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen and Anthony Mackie makes the Disney+ shows instantly more appealing. We also get to see supporting MCU actors like Randall Park, Kat Dennings and Daniel Brühl reprising their roles.
Not Better: Less Complex Characters
While it’s not exactly fair to judge the Disney+ shows before they have even aired, it’s hard to imagine they will match the Netflix series in terms of exploring their complex hero characters.
As excited as we are to see the continued adventures of Hawkeye, Winter Soldier and Vision, we know their characters already. Surely the shows will dive deeper into these characters, but with their personalities and pasts established, there’s only so far they can take it. The Netflix series were not afraid to portray damaged and tortured heroes like Daredevil and Jessica Jones, which made for compelling protagonists.
Better: Bigger Scale
As you can see with the amazing casts these Disney+ shows are bringing in, the MCU is sparing no expense for their television ventures. While the shows might not be one the scale of the MCU’s biggest films like Avengers: Endgame, you can expect these to be some of the most cinematic shows on television.
Just like Disney+ is doing with The Mandalorian, these shows are being made to feel like six hour-long movies. The action, the scope, and the storytelling will be unlike most any show around.
Not Better: Tamer Violence
From the first episode of the Daredevil show on Netflix, it became clear that these were not going to be kid-friendly superhero adventures. While the shows all featured adult themes, it was the violence that was really shocking in its graphic and brutal depiction.
The Netflix shows were seen as a way for the MCU to finally embrace the more hardcore comic book characters, like Punisher. While the MCU films have gotten by just fine without excessive violence, it is a shame that Marvel no longer has an outlet for the more graphic material.
Better: Shorter Seasons
With countless streaming platforms and ambitious television shows, the aspects of a television season have changed forever. No longer are shows bound by the daunting 22-episode seasons from the age of network television. For Disney+, the Marvel shows are said to be sticking to a short 6-episode run.
While that might seem too brief for some fans, this allows for contained and controllable storytelling. The Netflix series each had 13-episode seasons and it was clear they struggled to fill that time. Inevitably these series would sag dramatically by the end.
Not Better: Less Serious Storytelling
As comic book movies continue to be massively popular, we are beginning to see more properties take a chance with their storytelling. Joker is being talked about as an ambitious take on the genre, while Black Panther also explored heavy themes.
However, the Marvel-Netflix series were also pushing difficult subject matter from the beginning. From sexual abuse to depression to racism, these shows tackled big issues. While the Disney+ shows might touch on real issues, it’s likely they’ll play it much safer with their storytelling.
Better: Connection To The Movies
The relationship between the Marvel-Netflix shows and the MCU movies was always a bit strange. The shows would reference events from the movies, but the movies would never acknowledge the shows at all. It was disappointing for such a connected universe.
That will not be the case for the Disney+ shows, as they will directly link to the movies. Not only will movie characters be appearing in the shows but the likes of She-Hulk and Ms. Marvel will eventually appear in the movies. Kevin Feige has even promised the events of WandaVision will lead directly into Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Not Better: No Team-Up
Phase 1 of the MCU was a ground-breaking cinematic achievement, introducing all the separate heroes in their individual movies before having them come together in The Avengers. The Marvel-Netflix shows decided to take a similar route as the individual series lead to the team-up series, The Defenders.
While The Defenders was not the smash-hit The Avengers was and some thought the individual series worked better, it was still fun to have the shows connect to one another. That doesn’t appear to be the case for the Disney+ shows, which risk feeling like filler content for the films.
Better: Continuing Storylines
With so many characters in the MCU, not everyone is going to get their time in the spotlight in the films. That makes the shows all the more appealing, as they offer the chance for smaller characters to get fleshed out more.
As promised, the Hawkeye series will explore more of his time as Ronin. We will also likely get to see Bucky Barnes continue to struggle with his own identity and the guilt over things he has done. And we will get to explore the relationship between Wanda and Vision in an in-depth way.
Not Better: Less Freedom
The connected nature of the MCU can be a lot of fun, but some have criticized it for making the individual projects more restricted. While the solo films can stand on their own for the most part, they do still need to fit into the overall plan of the MCU.
It will be fun for characters to jump back and forth between the movies and the Disney+ shows, but it does mean they will have to fit into that box. The Netflix series, while hinting at the larger universe, were more or less free to do their own thing.
