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!
The CW Renews Everything
Last week Variety confirmed that the CW has renewed its entire slate of shows – including all of the Arrowverse – minus the shows we already knew weren’t being renewed. This includes shows many critics predicted would be on the bubble, like Batwoman, getting their new season orders.
Said CW network president Mark Pedowitz:
These early orders for next season give our production teams a head start in plotting out story arcs and a jump on hiring staff, and this also provides us with a strong foundation of established, fan-favorite CW shows to build on for next season. We’ve been thrilled with the creative direction of all three new series, and even though we are in the very early stages of our new full stack streaming strategy, which allows viewers to catch up on our new shows from the beginning, we’re already seeing incredibly positive results from our multiplatform viewership for ‘Nancy Drew’ and ‘Batwoman.’
Spoilerites who follow these things may notice the renewals seem to be coming a bit earlier than this year. Renewals are typically the topic of the TCAs (which just happened), or spring up fronts in New York City. My conspiracy theory is this has to do with industry fear of the looming WGA strike. If pilot and season orders come early people might be more inclined to want to keep their jobs than strike.
Whatever the reason, it’s awesome to see so many genre and superhero shows coming back to the CW! Let us know down in the comments section which CW show you are most looking forward to seeing more from!
CW Lands Licensing Deal with BBC
Later last week the CW also sent out a Press Release about a new partnership deal with BBC which states:
CW Seed, The CW’s free, ad-supported digital network, has acquired the second window, non-exclusive streaming rights to 14 series from BBC Studios. The pact will bring more than 200 episodes and 150 hours of scripted library content to the platform. The announcement was made today by Rick Haskins, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Digital Platforms, The CW.
Now streaming on CW Seed, are THE INTRUDERS starring Oscar winner Mira Sorvino (“Mighty Aphrodite”) and Millie Bobby Brown (“Stranger Things”), ATLANTIS starring Mark Addy (“Game of Thrones”), THE SECRET OF CRICKLEY HALL starring Maisie Williams (“Game of Thrones”) and Tom Ellis (“Lucifer”), BEDLAM featuring award-winning pop star Will Young, and the reimagined adventure series SINBAD.
James Corden’s (“The Late Late Show with James Corden”) award-winning comedy GAVIN & STACEY, THE FADES starring Daniel Kaluuya (“Queen & Slim,” “Get Out”), award-winning drama HOUSE OF CARDS, along with ROBIN HOOD, PRIMEVAL, BLEAK OLD SHOP OF STUFF, HYPERDRIVE, THE DEEP and MARRIED SINGLE OTHER will be available to stream on CW Seed beginning late January and will roll out through February 2020.
With HBO Max poised to eat DC Universe and the CW Seed as it prepares to launch a play like this might be able to preserve the audience (and even grow), the CW Seed commands beyond people bingeing Arrowverse.
SCOTT DERRICKSON DROPPED FROM DOCTOR STRANGE 2
Disney has lost another director. Notorious, at this point, for beginning projects with promising, exciting directors and then firing them part way through the process, Variety also broke that director Scott Derrickson would be stepping away from his work as director on the second Doctor Strange movie.
Said Marvel in their statement to Variety:
Marvel Studios and Scott Derrickson have amicably parted ways on ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ due to creative differences. We remain grateful to Scott for his contributions to the MCU.
With Derrickson Tweeting:
N O S ⋊ Ɔ I ᴚ ᴚ Ǝ ᗡ ⊥ ⊥ O Ɔ S on Twitter: “Marvel and I have mutually agreed to part ways on Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness due to creative differences. I am thankful for our collaboration and will remain on as EP. / Twitter”
Marvel and I have mutually agreed to part ways on Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness due to creative differences. I am thankful for our collaboration and will remain on as EP.
On the surface it appears amicable, though these things rarely are. As a fan Derrickson’s take on Doctor Strange and the different tone he brought to the MCU, I see this as a huge loss. He brought such a breath of fresh air and creativity to an origin story structure that has basically been reduced to Iron Man Light.
In spite of Derrickson’s stepping away, Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness is still scheduled to hit cinemas on May 7th, 2021 with no news yet on who will be taking up the reigns of production.
