5 Upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe TV Shows We Don't Really Need (Or Want) To See

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has expanded to television in recent years and the results have been hit-and-miss. Here, we take a look at some of the upcoming Marvel Studios TV shows that feel unnecessary!

By JoshWilding - Sep 27, 2023 12:09 PM EST

Filed Under: Marvel Studios

Since the Multiverse Saga began in 2021, there's been an undeniable decline in the quality of Marvel Studios' output. While the MCU is a long way from being the DCEU, critics and fans alike have had more to complain about in recent years than they did throughout the entire Infinity Saga.

At least part of that can be blamed on a massive increase in content, much of which has been on Disney+. For the first time ever, Marvel Studios has had to balance making movies with producing TV shows and it's apparent they've struggled, to some extent.

Even the "bad" from Marvel Studios is better than some of the best comic book movies produced by other studios and they've yet to deliver outright disaster. It appears one will be avoided too because, with Bob Iger back in charge of Disney, quality over quantity is going to once again be a priority.

While we expect the number of MCU TV shows to fall to maybe one or two a year moving forward, there are many already in production that, simply put, don't feel entirely necessary. We're not taking shots at any creatives, actors, or characters here...we're just not sure why these small screen projects are being made!

Find out what we've singled out by clicking on the "Next" button below.

5. Marvel Zombies

Iron-Man-Cull-Obsidian-and-Ebony-Maw-zombies-copy

When it was revealed that an episode of What If...? would revolve around the Marvel Zombies, fans were understandably excited. It was a fine effort, but not one that really did the comic books justice (taking away the intelligence and personalities from each hero still feels like a mistake).

There was only so much Marvel Studios could do in 30 minutes and we still found plenty to love about this approach to the characters. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to make us want an entire Marvel Zombies spin-off series devoted to the shambling superheroes.

It's only expected to consist of 4 episodes and will primarily revolve around Phase 4 characters such as Ms. Marvel, Shang-Chi, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian. That's fine as those are all great heroes, but there are far more exciting directions a series like this could head in...preferably in live-action too!

4. Echo

7-B67-B71-B-E4-ED-4333-B9-F4-11-DD1-FDB1-E58

Alaqua Cox was absolutely superb in Hawkeye and we walked away from that series eager to see more of Maya Lopez. However, an entire series revolving around the character is a peculiar decision as are rumoured plans to give her superpowers.

In the comics, she was an expert fighter with abilities similar to those of Taskmaster. Later, the Phoenix Force gave her a major upgrade but Echo's MCU counterpart will supposedly make use of abilities passed down by her Native American ancestors. It's an idea with potential but could be a swing and a miss if not handled well.

After multiple delays and Marvel Studios' decision to release every episode in one go, we're left wondering whether even they have little to no confidence in the show. Rather than giving her a spin-off to set up Daredevil: Born Again, Echo should have been a key supporting character in the Man Without Fear's series.

3. Ironheart

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was an effective introduction for Riri Williams, but we don't think it was enough to leap straight into a Disney+ series. If anything, it feels like Marvel Studios has done this the wrong way around as donning and then losing Wakandan armour means whatever comes next will feel like a step back.

The suits we've seen on the show's set look formidable enough and we'd be lying to say it's not exciting to think about Riri taking on The Hood in a show which is rumoured to also introduce Mephisto. So, why is Ironheart on this list?

To be honest, it's because this is another series that should have probably been a movie. Like Secret Invasion and even Ms. Marvel, it's hard to escape the feeling that stretching a 2-hour story into a 6-hour series is ultimately going to hurt the story being told, particularly if it's set to have future consequences for the MCU.

2. Agatha

wandavision-agatha-harkness-kathryn-hahn-disney

We hate having to include another female character here but Agatha Harkness' gender has nothing to do with the WandaVision spin-off's inclusion. That show's finale left her trapped inside her own mind in Westview, with the logical next step for the Scarlet Witch to free her old foe because she needs the witch's help.

Based on what we know, Wanda Maximoff's apparent death will free Agatha just in time for her old coven to come looking for revenge. They're not the only ones, though, as Billy Maximoff's soul is going to find a new body before crossing paths with the villain, presumably as part of his journey to become Wiccan.

On the one hand, this all sounds pretty solid. On the other, it feels like a subplot which would better serve a Scarlet Witch solo project. Marvel Studios is clearly having fun with this series given those title changes and rumours of musical sequences but we've yet to be sold on why this story is worth telling. That may well change.

1. Spider-Man: Freshman Year

Spider-Man-Freshman-Year-1689519702199-1689519745868-copy

Putting any Spider-Man project here almost feels wrong, especially when it's one being produced by Marvel Studios. However, we were far more excited about this series when it was supposed to be set on Earth-616, revealing Peter Parker's crimefighting adventures before he met Tony Stark.

Instead, it's going to be set in a different part of the Multiverse where Norman Osborn is the web-slinger's mentor. Don't get us wrong, that's a concept with potential, but Spider-Man: Freshman Year feels like just another cartoon instead of an important new chapter in the web-slinger's story.

It's already been massively delayed and we know Marvel Studios has yet to decide whether they'll forge ahead with a second season in Spider-Man: Sophomore Year. With that in mind, not even the presence of Charlie Cox as Daredevil is enough to make our excitement for this one any more than muted.

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104 Comments

1 2 3

Forthas - 9/27/2023, 12:07 PM

Agree with all of the above except Agatha and Iron Heart!

Doomsday8888 - 9/27/2023, 12:08 PM

Cjboyle84 - 9/27/2023, 12:08 PM

"We Don't Really Need (Or Want) To See" in your opinion I'm personally super excited for Agatha and Echo

Tonic24k - 9/27/2023, 1:59 PM

@Cjboyle84 - Exactly!

SolarSoldier - 9/30/2023, 8:29 PM

@Cjboyle84 - Just wait for the Daredevil fans to hatewatch Echo then admit it's good lol

mountainman - 9/27/2023, 12:11 PM

The only announced D+ shows that sound remotely interesting after Loki S2 are X-Men 97 and Daredevil: Born Again.

MotherGooseUPus - 9/27/2023, 12:30 PM

@mountainman -

TheyDont - 9/27/2023, 12:11 PM

I'd watch Agatha.

DarthAlgar - 9/27/2023, 12:11 PM

Somebody clearly hijacked Josh's account.

Waifuslayer - 9/27/2023, 12:16 PM

My list:

All of them

WakandanQueen - 9/27/2023, 12:18 PM

Will not accept the Agatha slander.

99OPTIMISTPRIME - 9/27/2023, 12:23 PM

@WakandanQueen -

DanFlashesShirt - 9/27/2023, 12:19 PM

Man I was so excited when they announced Spider-man freshman year… when i thought it was going to be set in the main MCU continuity. Seeing his MCU origin and him learning his powers while fighting petty crime in in Queens in the homemade suit would have been perfect for an animated series.

Now? This just feels like an excuse to sell toys with all the suits and everything.

BIGBMH - 9/27/2023, 12:38 PM

@DanFlashesShirt - Agreed. It also frustrates me that Marvel Studios continues to relegate animation to skippable multiverse side-content. It really seemed like Freshman Year would change that, but nope. The whole "Everything is canon in the multiverse" thing is a cop-out. If you respect the medium, use it to tell important stories, that build out the focal universe. Star Wars has done it for over a decade. Gunn is going to do it with his DC content, even going as far as to have the same actors play the main roles in both live action and animation. Marvel just feels like it's pretending to care about animation.

99OPTIMISTPRIME - 9/27/2023, 12:21 PM

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5 Upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe TV Shows We Don't Really Need (Or Want) To See

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has expanded to television in recent years and the results have been hit-and-miss. Here, we take a look at some of the upcoming Marvel Studios TV shows that feel unnecessary!

5. Marvel Zombies

4. Echo

3. Ironheart

2. Agatha

1. Spider-Man: Freshman Year

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