New Warriors Loses Home At Freeform; May Become Disney Streaming Original
by Erik Amaya
The New Warriors are on the move.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the straight-to-series concept ordered by Freeform has lost its place on the network’s 2018 schedule. At the same time, reaction to the pilot was so positive that Marvel’s television arm asked for the series back to shop it around and secure a premiere next year.
The series, designed as a half-hour scripted comedy, stars Milana Vayntrub as the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl and Derek Theler as Mister Immortal. They, along side Jeremy Tardy as Night Thrasher, Calum Worthy as Speedball, Matthew Moy as Microbe and Kate Comer as Debrii, play a group of newly minted heroes adjusting to their powers in “a world where bad guys can be as terrifying as bad dates.”
Complicating Marvel TV’s search for a new outlet, however, is the suggestion that Marvel TV will not be able to look outside the Disney family of companies for that home and that the series may end up on Disney’s streaming service in 2019. But, it seems, that’s not Marvel TV’s desire; particularly as that service will not debut until well after New Warriors has completed filming.
Also, the implication that Disney will prevent Marvel from finding outside corporate partners is troubling in its own right. Consider how long Runaways sat dormant on the company’s schedule until Hulu picked it up as a series. The lack of venues could lead to more cut-rate productions like Inhumans.
Meanwhile, Freeform will air its other Marvel TV project, Cloak & Dagger, when it expands to add a fourth night of programing next year.
