Did You Hear? is a weekly examination of headlines in the entertainment industry and a take on what they could mean for the future of the industry and (often), the little geeky bubble that we occupy.
Wonder Woman Pushed Back to 2020
On lead actor Gal Gadot’s official Instagram account it was announced earlier this week that Wonder Woman 2 a.k.a. Wonder Woman 1984 would be moved (again!), seven months from November 1, 2019 the previously announced release date to June 5, 2020.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpPsY4qFFfN/?hl=en&taken-by=gal_gadot
Fans are already lighting up social media with theories about wider reaching implications within the DC Cinematic Universe – including the idea of a cameo in the upcoming Birds of Prey movie.
However, Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros.’ president of domestic distribution, said:
We had tremendous success releasing the first ‘Wonder Woman’ film during the summer so when we saw an opportunity to take advantage of the changing competitive landscape, we did. This move lands the film exactly where it belongs.
In the wake of the very public knowledge that Justice League was rushed into and through production, then subsequently into cinemas all over the world I thin we can look at this move as a positive thing. Wonder Woman is a precious franchise to Warner Bros. in that it is one of the sole metrics of success in the current DC Cinematic Universe. It is also precious to the population of geekdom that it represents. My hope is that an incredible film is what we get in June 2020.
Netflix Cancels Luke Cage
… but to be fair, they cancelled Iron Fist first.
Ironically, no one seems to be crying out over the injustice of Danny Rand’s show getting the axe, whereas many more fans have taken to the internet to express their displeasure over the cancellation of the debut Heroes for Hire streaming show in the same week that Daredevil season 3 premiered.
The timing does seem odd, doesn’t it?
According to Variety there were active talks surrounding a potential third season for Luke Cage that ultimately fell through.
In a joint statement from Marvel and Netflix:
Unfortunately ‘Marvel’s Luke Cage’ will not return for a third season. Everyone at Marvel Television and Netflix is grateful to the dedicated showrunner, writers, cast and crew who brought Harlem’s Hero to life for the past two seasons, and to all the fans who have supported the series.
What remains uncertain is what exactly prompted the cancellation of Luke Cage – particularly in the wake of positive reviews for the first season and an even larger groundswell behind the second season and the changes that were made to the format and storytelling. The obvious culprit is the so-called Disney Streaming Service that we have heard scuttlebutt about for years now, but seems no closer to launching than The Flash standalone movie does of beginning principal photography.
Few seem to be addressing the notion that Netflix itself might be done with Marvel and completely ready to move on from creating co-owned branded content when they have the Millarworld imprint 100% under their purview.
There’s always hope that Mike Colter’s incredible Luke Cage may be the first Marvel Television original character to graduate to the MCU or that a Heroes for Hire show has been secretly in the works all of this time under our noses, though presently, neither option seems especially likely. More’s the pity.
Netflix Does Not Cancel Disenchantment
A couple short days following the announcement of Luke Cage being cancelled Variety reported that they were renewing Disenchantment for a second season. The second half of the first season will hit the streaming service in 2019 and another slot of 20 episodes that will air in two separate installations are expected to drop in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
DIsenchantment is Simpsons and Futurama creator Matt Groening’s first original creation for Netflix and he released the following statement about the extended order:
We’re excited to continue this epic journey with Netflix. Stay tuned for more cranked-up suspense, infuriating plot twists, and beloved characters getting knocked off.
Considering that Disenchantment was met with a lukewarm reception and middling reviews I am a touch perplexed about the extended order. The watch numbers on the first half of season one must have been good enough to garner the costs of further production. There is also the matter of off-setting the original cost of production to consider. Whatever you might think of Disenchantment as as series, there was clearly a lot of money put into the show – it looks absolutely gorgeous! I mentioned a couple articles ago that Syfy is famous for pouring money into the initial cost of production, greelighting two seasons in order to recoup ad revenue, and then cancelling the show. Time will tell if Netflix and Disenchantment have fallen into the same pattern.
