Users who have early access to Disney+ have noticed a glaring distinction between Marvel TV shows such as Runaways, Agent Carter and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and MCU movies such as Iron Man, Doctor Strange
lmaoooo that distinction pic.twitter.com/VwJ4CqjUHn
— Charles Villanueva (@cfsvillanueva) September 15, 2019
Currently, none of the Phase 4 Disney+ shows such as Loki, WandaVision and Hawkeye are out yet and so it is unknown as to where they will land but, as they were announced as a part of the Phase 4 slate alongside the movies, it is incredibly likely that these shows will end up in the ‘Marvel Cinematic Universe’ section.
This divide brings with it the debate as to whether Marvel TV is canon which is a conversation that fans have been having since the first season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Whilst the shows reference the movies, the films do not return the favor. The biggest crossover was Jarvis’ cameo in Avengers: Endgame but Agent Carter was made by Marvel Studios and not Marvel TV.
However, Agent Carter has found itself in the ‘Marvel Series and Specials’ section. It could be that it is due to it airing on ABC, not Disney+, and due to it not linking directly into the MCU as the Disney+ shows will, rather than it not being canon.
In an interview with Deadline, Jeph Loeb, Marvel Television’s boss, explained the difference between ‘Marvel Knights’ and ‘Marvel Heroes’.
“So, the Marvel heroes are the ones that are most closely associated with the movies, so that would be S.H.I.E.L.D., and that would be Agent Carter. They came from the movies; our two leads were actually in the movies. Then the next group is the Marvel Street-Level Heroes, or the Marvel Knights, as we sometimes call them here. So, if the Marvel heroes are here to save the universe, the Marvel Street-Level Heroes, the Marvel Knights, often they are just to save themselves, to save the neighborhood.”
Nonetheless, the two shows he mentioned ended up in the section separate from the ‘Marvel Cinematic Universe’ and his description of the ‘Marvel Knights’ also fits Blade, Spider-Man and Moon Knight which are all being made by Marvel Studios themselves.
It could be nothing, but it could also be a hint as to what heroes Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios actually consider a part of the MCU. We will see when the Disney+ Marvel shows launch. If they end up in the ‘Marvel Cinematic Universe’ section, it is likely that the distinction being made is a sign of what is truly canon.
What do you think? Is it nothing or is it a clear separation between Marvel TV and the MCU? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
