Iron Fist Cancelled!
Some shocking news came out of Netflix today: they’re pulling the plug on Iron Fist after just two seasons.
“Everyone at Marvel Television and Netflix is proud of the series and grateful for all of the hard work from our incredible cast, crew and showrunners,” states Marvel and Netflix in a joint statement. “We’re thankful to the fans who have watched these two seasons, and for the partnership we’ve shared on this series. While the series on Netflix has ended, the immortal Iron Fist will live on.”
If Iron Fist had been its own property, the news wouldn’t be quite as stunning — this show was the most critically disliked and mocked of all the Netflix Marvel shows — but it’s what the move represents that makes the real impact. Up to this point, the Marvel-Netflix deal was perceived to be a package: you take one, you take the rest. This proves Netflix never had to agree to them all…and that the others aren’t safe either.
Worse yet, if this is meant as a retaliatory move in anticipation of Disney’s streaming service (as far as we know, still set to launch in 2019), could the other shows be cut down in their prime? Netflix hasn’t announced any renewals for future seasons of Jessica Jones or Luke Cage, and it’s unknown what’s coming to the service past Daredevil Season 3, which launches next week.
There is one left-field theory going around that might soften the blow. Without spoiling anything, Season 2 of Iron Fist was largely a setup for the formation of the Daughters of the Dragon, with Colleen Wing and Misty Knight involved. The Daughters would make for a much more interesting TV program than mopey ol’ Rand….maybe one had to make way for the other?