Netflix CCO Talks THE DEFENDERS, Jessica Jones Casting, And Gritty/Grounded Tone

Netflix CCO Talks THE DEFENDERS, Jessica Jones Casting, And Gritty/Grounded Tone

Netflix CCO Ted Sarandos talks here about assembling Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones and Iron Fist into The Defenders, where they're at with casting, the grounded costumes and making Daredevil darker than the movie, and whether these shows will cross over with the movies...

By JoshWilding - Aug 24, 2014 06:08 PM EST
Filed Under: Marvel
Source: Empire Magazine

Netflix are moving ahead with four Marvel shows, with the plan being to then bring them together in a team-up series. As of right now, we don't know if multiple seasons are planned, whether this is a one off deal which will take a few years to play out or if the characters will eventually be brought to the big screen. As of right now, it's just too soon to tell, but with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Agent Carter on ABC and Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones and Iron Fist on the online streaming service, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is aiming to take over television as well. In a recent interview with Empire Magazine, Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos was quizzed on what led them to choose these heroes. "It was really based on the theatrical model of The Avengers. Could you take another group of characters, The Defenders, and go about it the same way? Normally they do the big movie and then eventually they get to the group origin story. Having 13 hours to tell each of these stories, you can go right to the origin story and the action at the same time."

We know that Daredevil is set for 2015, but what comes next? Well, Sarandos may have inadvertently revealed exactly that as it turns out that the casting process has already begun for another character. "Right now, the writers' rooms are open and they're looking at casting Jessica," the CCO revealed. "If you sense some hesitation in my voice, that's classic Marvel fashion. They like to keep that veil of secrecy. But Daredevil is already shooting, since that's out first. Eventually the series will run very close together. You can then have a separate season where the characters will cross over." As for whether these cross overs will reach the movies, he would only say: "It has definitely been talked about."

With the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy likely set to team-up at some point in the next few years, throwing The Defenders into the mix could be very interesting, even if it would result in a VERY crowded movie. Ultimately, it's hard to imagine superheroes such as these not one day factoring into Marvel's big screen plans at some point. When talk turned to how the tone of this take on Daredevil will differ to the 2003 movie starring Ben Affleck, Sarandos said, "The series will not be afraid to go darker than the film did. What we love about this particular set of heroes is that they're a little more down to Earth. Costume wise and also in that these are gritty crime stories, more in the streets than in the clouds." While his point about the costumes may be true for Luke Cage and Jessica Jones, could this mean that Daredevil and Iron Fist WON'T be suiting up in spandex? We'll have to wait and see! What do you guys think? 
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Bekss
Bekss - 8/24/2014, 6:19 PM
Can't [frick]ing wait for these shows, maybe not so much for JJ.
SuperStuff
SuperStuff - 8/24/2014, 6:19 PM
I think he means they might not be suiting up in spandex, but that the're planing on designing more efficient, modern clothes while keeping the classic look.
SuperStuff
SuperStuff - 8/24/2014, 6:21 PM
I mean, you realize that you have super senses, are you going to go out fighting crime in spandex? No, you'l wear pads, and light clothes.
Minghagz
Minghagz - 8/24/2014, 6:22 PM
Really looking forward to this. I'm also looking forward to Agent Carter too. Sue me.
JamesMan
JamesMan - 8/24/2014, 6:22 PM
Did someone say gritty? Better start running to the hills! You said the magic word!

JamesMan
JamesMan - 8/24/2014, 6:23 PM
Daredevil and Iron Fist are the only ones that interest me currently. Jessica Jones is a big pile of who gives a [frick] right now.
Bekss
Bekss - 8/24/2014, 6:25 PM
I think TV/Netflix characters will be in Avengers 3 but just in the background, helping people and fighting the small villians Thanos brings with him
ALegendaryPanda
ALegendaryPanda - 8/24/2014, 6:27 PM
Marvel has an opportunity to do something really awesome with these shows, I can't wait to see all of them. Although I'm definitely most excited for Daredevil!
TheSuperguy
TheSuperguy - 8/24/2014, 6:28 PM
Bring. It. On.
JAC
JAC - 8/24/2014, 6:28 PM
Cool shiz. I can't wait to see the new DD costume.
TheAmericanPatriot
TheAmericanPatriot - 8/24/2014, 6:28 PM
Wow! So the street level characters will be dark and gritty? That's cool! Now we can actually get a violent ass hell Punisher show up and running. Punisher, Blade, Ghost Rider, and Moon Knight for season 2!
JamesMan
JamesMan - 8/24/2014, 6:29 PM
I wonder how these will be connected to the MCU as a whole. I doubt they'll appear in any of the films. Will there just be name drops with the rare cameo like AOS? Right now it kind of feels like its own entity that they can say is connected to the MCU.
JamesMan
JamesMan - 8/24/2014, 6:30 PM
lol imagine the Howling Commandos getting a show or movie in the MCU before Blade, Punisher, or Ghost Rider.
sianirudh94
sianirudh94 - 8/24/2014, 6:30 PM
Need my heroes for hire fix. IRON FIST FTW!
TucksFrom2015
TucksFrom2015 - 8/24/2014, 6:31 PM
TheSuperguy
TheSuperguy - 8/24/2014, 6:32 PM
I hope they tell some Luke Cage stories from the earlier issues in a darker, grittier tone. I wanna see the origin (maybe 1-2 episodes), I wanna see Diamondback, I wanna see the solo, Hero For Hire years.
DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 8/24/2014, 6:33 PM
Awesome.... Seriously, having all these shows and having them top quality with good casting.... Which it looks like Daredevil will be, it's going to be amazing.... I'm already imagining Daredevil eventually making a cameo in the movies, Marvel knows what's up, and they tell great stories, I can't wait for more....
TheAmericanPatriot
TheAmericanPatriot - 8/24/2014, 6:34 PM
Jessica Jones and Luke Cage have a very similar power-set. Are they planing on changing her up in order to make her different from Luke?
TheAmericanPatriot
TheAmericanPatriot - 8/24/2014, 6:35 PM
Honestly Luke Cage and Iron Fist should've been put together as the Heroes For Hire.
Lozzy
Lozzy - 8/24/2014, 6:40 PM
Grounded and gritty? You just hit many fanboys g-spot!

DrewDeLand
DrewDeLand - 8/24/2014, 6:44 PM
Costume costume costume
HAILHYDRA
HAILHYDRA - 8/24/2014, 6:44 PM
I just want a scene of Iron Fist and Luke Cage looking up at the Avengers Tower with some line to the effect of "pompous pricks". If that's the only connection I'd be perfectly OK with that
l0rdleg0las
l0rdleg0las - 8/24/2014, 6:45 PM
@Rulk

While I agree it can be difficult to get into the TV version of these shows, I just feel that if cast right and with good writing we could see some truly great versions of these characters. I mean it will lack the grandeur of the theater experience, but story and characters can be more fully fleshed out and in depth. Marvel movies are generally very good, but one thing they lack is a lot of depth to the characters. There is typically very little information or backstory given to characters(especially villains). Which is understandable when you're trying to compress, story and introduce characters all in a 2 hour time frame. But 10 episodes at an hour apiece, completely changes that. If done right the shows can be incredible and truly lead to some awesome cameos on the big screen.
kong
kong - 8/24/2014, 6:46 PM
@TheAmericanPatriot

Cage deserves his own show. Period.
HAILHYDRA
HAILHYDRA - 8/24/2014, 6:53 PM
@Rulk I don't if you've seen any Netflix originals but generally they're really a step above in terms of writing. I'm looking forward to some really well written and emotional dialogue and a little less focus on special FX.
Dingbat
Dingbat - 8/24/2014, 6:54 PM
Who honestly wants to see a Jessica Jones series? Daredevil and Iron Fist please.
ATrueHero1987
ATrueHero1987 - 8/24/2014, 6:55 PM
I pretty sure DD will get his costume.

Good that DD is back in live action form. I hope the DD series is a success and it leads to a feature film.
SuperCat
SuperCat - 8/24/2014, 6:55 PM
Luke Cage now, jive turkeys.
Phronesis
Phronesis - 8/24/2014, 7:01 PM
Marvel needs to know which stories can work within the show and which ones won't. That way, more ideas for a potential movie. For example:

I highly doubt Daredevil will explore the multiplex relationship with Elektra, the tragic turn for Karen Page, or his identity leaking. All that can or maybe should be saved for a movie.

Though I hope Marvel doesn't fall in a pit for trying to set up too much. Focus on a long over-arching story
JoJo1982
JoJo1982 - 8/24/2014, 7:04 PM
@ superstuff

I think Daredevil will have some kind of armored suit, I mean he's fighting criminals (some superhuman), he's blind not stupid.
exodus147
exodus147 - 8/24/2014, 7:04 PM
I'm a huge Marvel fan....but all I wanna do is play Battlefield on my ps4!!! Damn hackers!!
homodrome
homodrome - 8/24/2014, 7:04 PM
AKA Jessica Jones is gonna be amazing and if they do it right it's gonna be the grittiest of all the shows.

Read Alias. She has been through the wringer and it sounds like they might not shy away from it.
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