A theme in this list is the one of connective tissue, linking everything together for The Avengers. With the hope that by time we reach The Avengers 2, you have your movie characters and perhaps some smaller characters brought into the universe by the TV show. So whoever actor(s) is cast in the show would also be contracted for a movie or two, probably most notably being The Avengers 2.
Oh, and people, remember:
This is all my personal opinion. We're all entitled to one am I right? ;)
10. AKA Jessica Jones
We've heard a lot about this show. About how it'll include Carol Danvers and Luke Cage. ABC passed on the show, but maybe all it needs is that Whedon touch. We know Whedon has a thing for strong female characters, and Jessica Jones could resonate with him in that regard.
9. Nightstalkers
OK, so maybe Blade has been a bit over exposed in the past few years. That being said, with him back in the hands of Marvel; it could be time for a great action series with him and his Nightstalker accomplices, Frank Drake and Hannibal King. With Deacon Frost as an overarching villain. Throw in HYDRA, and perhaps some other supernatural foes and friends and you have a decent vampire show. If only to show people that Vampires need not be glittery, but complete badasses.
8. Ms. Marvel
Obviously one of the stronger characters in most recent years, and one that's slowly but surely rising as a prominent member of The Avengers. Carol Danvers could work in the Marvel universe, especially in a weekly format where she's contracted by the Govenment but with her powers. Having this link to the cosmic would also work in slowly and steadily warming up people to the cosmic side of the Marvel universe.
7. Moon Knight
A Moon Knight TV series has been kicked around before, but with a stall in time and no scripts being picked up; the rights to the character have seemingly reverted back to Marvel.
I personally would love to see a Moon Knight TV series, because in Moon Knight #1 from 2006 the character basically says, OK so everyone else is preoccupied with alien invasions and the sort. Someone has to clean up the streets. I like that as a show, as a no-fuss TV series. It could stay humble in that sense, with no expensive CGI budget, you wouldn't have to render the Chitauri, or Thanos. Just some thugs. Sure, some of Moon Knights rogues gallery, including the likes of Black Spectre, Masked Maurader, and Crossfire. Only downside is that, it'd be harder to introduce many other characters, since Moon Knight generally operates on his own. I think he could do well on his own, but if we are to see him on screen it's probably more than likely in my second overall choice, not as a standalone. Even if I think a solo series would kick ass.
6. The Punisher
I've been curious if Dirty Laundry is in some ways a backdoor pilot to a Thomas Jane Punisher movie or TV series. Jane has been off the air for around a year after Hung ended, so he could be yearning to return to the small screen. I see it as a show where perhaps he hunts down some characters, or helps others. Either way, can we all just admit: It'd just be awesome to see the Punisher do what he does best; the cameos and connective tissue would just be icing on the cake.
5.Cloak and Dagger
Unlike a lot of other teams on this list, the duo of Cloak and Dagger is very much about the characters angst and personal problems. This isn't Spidey and the Green Goblin, or Cap and the Red Skull. These are heroes that have their own problems to worry about. With his credentials on Buffy, I'd think Whedon would be a perfect fit for a Cloak and Dagger TV series.
4. Daredevil
A bit of a stretch considering how Fox currently holds the rights to Daredevil, but I can't stop imagining just how perfect a Daredevil TV show would be. Especially if the rights revert back to Marvel; who you can imagine is covertly coming up with ideas in the event that Matt Murdock returns to their flock.
Unlike a lot of other characters, Daredevil's powers translate well to the small screen. Minimal CGI required, which for a television network, means a workable budget. Plus, Murdock could have that perfect blend of procedural where he's the lawyer by day, but then have criminals to deal with and overarching villains like Kingpin and Bullseye.
3. Heroes for Hire
Luke Cage and Iron Fist together on the small screen? Yes please! Also, the rotating number of characters is astounding. It would be a great way to introduce new characters, as well as have cameos from well known heroes. Plus, these guys are in it for the money, which could add an interesting dynamic.
2. West Coast Avengers
The Avengers is pretty much an established money making brand. So to keep the money pouring in for Marvel, why not just establish the West Coast Avengers. Hawkeye gets sent out by Fury or Maria Hill to expand The Avengers roster and recruits Mockingbird, Tigra, Wonder Man, and Moon Knight. I know War Machine is a prominent member of the West Coast Avengers, but do we honestly expect a TV show to have a CGI War Machine pop up consistently? Plus, Moon Knight is due for a spotlight.
Then, when The Avengers 2 rolls around, cue Hawkeye returning with a huge batch of new Avengers to help battle Thanos.
1. S.H.I.E.L.D.
The best way to introduce characters into an already cramped film schedule isn't neccesarily about giving these character there own film. Some characters just don't lend themselves to a whole movie, whether we like to accept that or not. With this list, it's about givning these characters a chance that'd otherwise flounder if given a full feature length film.
Having a weekly show that's perhaps a blend of procedural and serialized would have a group of S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents taking on smaller threats, or trying to recruit characters. Think of all my past suggestions and simply roll them into one show! I think it'd be harder to tell a cohesive story, but a couple episodes with each hero and have these S.H.I.E.L.D agents recruit them at the end of the arc.
Perhaps we could see appearences by characters such as She-Hulk, Spider-Woman, Scarlet Witch, and Black Panther (Sorry, but I just don't see Black Panther carrying his own movie, just my opinion). You could also bring in characters that are to a lesser extent in the films such as War Machine or even Winter Soldier. It could basically act as a test bed for characters, and could help flesh out the crew of The Avengers. Then by time The Avengers 2 rolls around, you have all of your core movie characters, plus these smaller characters that have been recruited by S.H.I.E.L.D. in the TV series. The possibilities are endless with a series like this. You could essentially introduce the whole slew of minor Marvel heroes. Then when the time comes to fight Thanos, we'd see hundreds of characters.
What do you guys think? What would you like to see in this Marvel TV series?