Thanks to their famous phases, Marvel has successfully created a unified cinematic universe. They began expanding their universe by using after credit scenes, short films and now television series. Determined to conquer all mediums of visual storytelling, Marvel made a brilliant and inspired partnership with Netflix. Basically they are trying to replicate their formula for movies on the silver screen.  If Kevin Feige has plans laid out for movies up until 2028, surely he has the same kind of plans for TV... Assuming they are indeed working in phases, here are my predictions on where he and Jeph Loeb plan to take us once The Defenders has finished airing and Phase 3 of the movies is underway.

For Phase 1 click here...

For Phase 2 click here...

PHASE 3 – The Antiheroes

Punisher – A lot of us on here have been saying for a while that The Punisher needs his own live action TV series not another movie attempt. I don’t think I’m the only one looking forward to see if Marvel does the right thing here. Now that they have a deal with Netflix this is the perfect opportunity to reboot the franchise. I imagine the Punisher TV series being somewhat of a hybrid between Dexter and The Blacklist. I want to see Castle's relationship to SHEILD (Considering ABC's show got renewed, they can't be entirely gone) as well as Frank holding his own against super powered criminals. Here are my casting suggestions for Frank Castle... Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Eric Dane (Grey's Anatomy) or my favorite option, beg Thomas Jane (Punisher) to return. He claimed that he was saying goodbye to the role with the short “Dirty Laundry” but it’s the fans responsibility to fanaticize right?




Elektra – An Elektra series would be a great way to connect this phase to the previous ones as this could be the spin off of the Daredevil TV show. Hopefully there won’t be any need to recast her character from one show to the next. Her current solo comic book series is actually really good. The artwork is spectacular and I especially like how the writer brought her back to her roots as an assasin. Assuming Marvel is smart enough to make this show, I would like to see them take notes from the latest Nikita series. It's kinda hard to imagine an Elektra series without The Hand in it... If they do get included I kinda hope she gets to lead them at some point.My casting suggestions for Ms. Natchios are Kelly Overton (True Blood), Tanit Phoenix (Death Race) or Noomi Rapace (Prometheus).




The Hood – My buddy Inhuman suggested a Taskmaster series but I think that writers would have more to work with in a series starring The Hood. The problem with Taskmaster is that his series would be heavily reliant on camoes by bigger characters. It's hard to showcase someone with copycat abilities without people for him to copy. Personally, I get more excited thinking about a show that follows an nobody who gets a chance to unleash his inner bad ass after he finds a cloak that gives him powers. Think of it as Marvel’s Breaking Bad or Banshee (If Hood posed as a kingpin instead of a sheriff). A cameo by Tom Hiddleston would be amazing as the character has ties to Loki. the thing about the hood is that he should have an everyman feel to him. He's crafty, resourceful but also desperate for more... That's why my casting suggestions are Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead), Luke Arnold (Black Sails) or Joshua Jackson (Fringe).




Red Hulk – For a while Marvel was working on a live action Hulk TV series with Del Toro but it doesn’t seem to have gone far. I would love to revisit this idea but with a twist. I would spin off from the Incredible Hulk sequel and do a show starring General Ross. I think they should go with a story loosely based on his Scorched Earth series. Basically Having had his ability to drain energy from others taken away due to its detrimental effects on his health, specifically stopping him from becoming human again, Red Hulk joins the Avengers. With them he again becomes involved in opposing the Intelligencia. Ultimately, he is able to defeat their plan (An Endgame alternative developed by MODOK and Leader to launch in case they were killed) by destroying a MODOK supercomputer, though unbeknownst to him he fails to prevent the creation of MODOK Superior.It would be so awesome if William Hurt returned to the role but if he didn’t, Ralph Fiennes and Liam Neeson kinda look like him and have what it takes talent wise.

Thunderbolts – Personally I love the recent idea Daniel Way and Steve Dillon had to bring together a team of loners under the leadership of Rulk. I can’t say the writing impressed me but I think that concept could be further explored. Considering that neither Venom nor Deadpool belong to Marvel I think someone like The Hood would be a great substitute. He would also help pay some tribute to previous incarnations of the T-bolts. He also works into the scarlet theme quite well. I would love for the common denominator here to be the Maggia. Although I'm not sure Marvel's ultimate mobsters pose a big enough threat. Perhaps with the inclusion of Count Nefaria our team could have a decent fight on their hands. Wouldn't Rufus Sewell make an amazing Luchino Nefaria? Add in The Leader and I'm sold... Shoot what if The Leader is actually who gives Nefaria his powers and both sides are trying to track him down? Another option is to simply extend Red Hulk's Scorched Earth story line and have him recruit the other members to help him stop the Intelligencia. Anyways lol my point is... there's plenty potential here so unless Feige is an idiot we can hope to see this someday!

 

The challenge with working in phases on TV is will they keep the popular shows going or will the shows be replaced regardless of ratings to make way for others? How much of a priority will expanding the universe be?

I believe that if the first and second phase of Marvel TV series succeeds, this would be Marvel's next move. Netflix is without a doubt the perfect place to develop those kind of shows. If shows like The Runaways or Cloack and Dagger do eventually get made, they will probably air on ABC. 

So based on where the movies are headed I believe that the NETFLIX INITIATIVE will be broken down into these 3 phases. The Street Heroes, The Supernaturals and The Antiheroes. What do you think? Sound off below...