Could Hulu Revive Canceled Marvel Netflix Shows If Disney+ Doesn't?

Could the canceled MarvelNetflixshows eventually find a new home on Hulu? It’s possible down the line. Netflix has made it clear that they’re getting out of the business of hanging out with the street level Marvel heroes of Hell’s Kitchen last year after cancelingIron Fist,Luke Cageand, most surprisingly,Daredevil. The fates ofThe PunisherandJessica Jonesstill hang in the balance, but the writing’s on the wall. But with Hulu set to become a big part of the Disney family in the very near future, these shows could possibly wind up there in the future.

Craig Erwich, senior vice president of originals atHulu, recently appeared at the Television Critics Association winter press tour. At one point, he was asked whether or not the streaming service would be interested in bringing back shows likeDaredevil. Complications aside, in theory, the answer is yes. Here’s what Erwich had to say about it.

“Marvel has a ton of titles we’d be interested in. It kind of just depends on when they’re ready, [and] who, most importantly, is going to be behind these things.”

Disneyis currently in the process of closing its merger with Fox. At that point, they will control roughly 60 percent of Hulu. Meanwhile, they’re also launching their own streaming service, Disney+, later this year. Shows based on Marvel Cinematic Universe characters such as Loki, Vision and Scarlet Witch, and Falcon and Winter Soldier are all heading to Disney+. But not all Marvel titles will be suitable for that platform. Case in point,Hulu recently announced four new animated shows,Howard the Duck,M.O.D.O.K.,Hit-MonkeyandTigra and Dazzler, are in the works.

Given the more violent and adult nature of the canceled Netflix shows, Hulu would seem like a more logical destination, and it would keep those titles in the Disney family. Not only that, Hulu already hasThe Runaways, which is likely going to get a season 3 pickup. Craig Erwich further explained the following in the same interview.

“We’ve had a relationship with Marvel since ‘Runaways,’ we’re getting into business on these animated shows. I’m sure it will lead to, you know, business gets you business, we have a good creative relationship with them. That’s where opportunities tend to arise.”

The real question; can the Netflix shows be revived? Yes, but not anytime soon. Given the contracts that Marvel and Netflix had, they have to wait at least two years before bringing those characters back to TV, meaning the earliest something likeDaredevilcould return would be late 2020. AssumingThe PunisherandJessica Jonesalso get the ax this year, they couldn’t return until 2021. The more likely scenario would be to see these properties rebooted down the line. But, at the very least, there is a glimmer of hope forThe Defendersto live on. This news was first reported byThe Wrap.