Image: Netflix via AFP Relaxnews
Why did “Luke Cage” get canceled? According to reports leaning on insider sources, it’s not because of ratings.
Marvel and Netflix did not disclose a reason for canceling “Luke Cage,” one of their five original episodic co-productions. Instead, they thanked its showrunner, writers, cast, crew and fans.
Yet rather than low ratings causing the cancellation, as was the case with the poorly received “Iron Fist” the previous week, mounting behind-the-scenes disagreements are said to be the cause.
“The cancellation was due to creative differences and the inability to agree to terms for a third season of the show,” even though principal cast members had already been signed up according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Two factors behind “rising tensions over the past month” were cited by Deadline: creative differences on content, and re-negotiations over the season’s agreed length.
“Some execs had issues with the more developed scripts, even though the scripts strongly incorporated suggestions from both Netflix and Marvel,” it was suggested while, in parallel, Netflix and Marvel were also unable to agree on terms to reduce a 13 episode season down to 10 episodes.
The news came in concert with the launch of “Daredevil” season 3 and a third “Jessica Jones” likewise remains on the cards.
Ensemble series “The Defenders” was a one-off and led to the introduction of “The Punisher,” which is headed towards a second season.
Marvel’s parent company, Disney, will launch its own online streaming service at some point in 2019. KM
RELATED STORIES:
‘Luke Cage’ canceled after two seasons on Netflix
‘Luke Cage’ actor Mike Colter to Donald Trump: Find your soul