4 Marvel TV Shows That Got Canceled Before Forming a Unique Superhero Team 5 Years Ago

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has always been packed with superhero teams like the Avengers, Revengers, and Defenders. However, one of the most unusual teams almost came to be from a series of 4 Marvel TV shows that were canceled just 5 years ago. Marvel's TV shows have evolved a lot since they took control of their properties in the late 2000s. Before the current Disney+ shows, there were many series under the "Marvel Television" umbrella, such as Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Initially, these shows were not officially part of the MCU, causing much debate among fans about their canonicity. Eventually, Marvel confirmed that The Defenders and its related shows were indeed part of the official MCU timeline on Disney+. One group of animated Marvel Television shows, however, would have been a very strange addition to the MCU, possibly contributing to their cancellation - although the real reason was likely due to timing.

Marvel Planned A Shared TV Universe On Hulu

Marvel's animated offenders team including Dazzler, Tigra, Hit-Monkey, Howard the Duck and MODOK - Marvel Planned A Shared TV Universe On Hulu

Before Disney+, Marvel used streaming services like Netflix and Hulu to release its shows. While Daredevil and his team were on Netflix, a unique group of heroes and a villain were announced in 2019 to be featured on Hulu. These characters included M.O.D.O.K., Hit-Monkey, Howard the Duck, and Tigra and Dazzler. The plan was for these animated series to eventually come together in a team-up similar to The Defenders, forming The Offenders series. However, only M.O.D.O.K. and Hit-Monkey actually aired, with both releasing their first season in 2021.

Kevin Smith, a comic book enthusiast, was set to lead the Howard the Duck show in hopes of giving the character a fresh start after the disappointing 1986 film. Tigra and Dazzler's series, on the other hand, was originally being worked on by Erica Rivinoja and Chelsea Handler before they left the project due to creative differences. Unfortunately, Marvel decided to cancel both shows in early 2020, along with The Offenders.

Why The Offenders Team-Up Never Happened

Custom image showing Marvel Offenders, including Tigra MODOK Howard the Duck and Hit-Monkey - Why The Offenders Team-Up Never Happened

Some of Marvel's more obscure and unconventional heroes make up the characters in these animated and adult-themed series. It would have been difficult for Marvel to seamlessly integrate these shows into the official MCU like they did with The Defenders. For instance, Howard the Duck is already a part of the MCU, making a cameo appearance in 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy and later showing up in Avengers: Endgame's Battle of Earth. The decision to cancel these shows aligns with Marvel's focus on creating MCU-specific content for Disney+, indicating that the animated series did not fit into Marvel's larger plans.

Kevin Smith pointed out that the introduction of the Darkhold in WandaVision, a key element in his planned Howard the Duck series, was a clear sign of why Marvel chose to cancel his show.

Despite this, M.O.D.O.K. and Hit-Monkey continued to be produced outside of the MCU continuity. M.O.D.O.K. was released in May 2021, following WandaVision, while Hit-Monkey came out in November of the same year. Unfortunately, M.O.D.O.K. was canceled after just one season. On the other hand, Hit-Monkey was renewed for a second season, but it was moved to 20th Century Television with a weaker connection to Marvel. This shift away from The Offenders aligns with Marvel's reported focus on quality rather than quantity in reducing the MCU's output.

Editor's P/S:

The article presents an intriguing tale of an unrealized team-up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The animated series featuring M.O.D.O.K., Hit-Monkey, Howard the Duck, and Tigra and Dazzler had the potential to create a unique and unconventional team known as The Offenders. However, the shows were canceled, leaving fans wondering what could have been.

The reasons for the cancellation are complex, but it's clear that Marvel's focus on creating MCU-specific content for Disney+ played a significant role. The animated series did not fit into this strategy, and as a result, they were sidelined. This decision highlights the challenges of maintaining a cohesive and interconnected universe across different platforms and formats. While it's disappointing that The Offenders never came to fruition, it's understandable given Marvel's need to streamline its storytelling and focus on its core properties.