Marvel's Live-Action Netflix Series to Film In New York City

Marvel is setting up shop in the Big Apple.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, The Walt Disney Company, Marvel and Netflix Inc. announced that the new Marvel live-action series, which will bring the "flawed heroes of Hell's Kitchen" to Netflix, will film entirely in New York City. Produced by Marvel Television in association with ABC Television Studios, this represents the largest film or television production project commitment in New York State history, as the project is expected to create at least 3,000 jobs in New York State including up to 400 full time jobs.

Filming is scheduled to begin this summer, although no cast has been announced just yet. The project will include approximately 60 one-hour episodes centered on each of the four Defenders characters: Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist.

"New York is where the entertainment industry started, and this unprecedented commitment from Disney and Marvel is further evidence that we're bringing it back bigger and better than ever before," said Governor Cuomo. "And when the entertainment industry thrives, it fuels dozens of other industries and businesses. The competition for these projects is fierce and Disney could have chosen to film these shows anywhere, but they knew that shooting in New York means getting to work with the best in world. These shows bring New York's super heroes home where they belong--along with hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in new business."

"Since 2008 Disney has directly contributed almost half a billion dollars to New York's economy through television and film production, along with approximately 9,000 jobs for New Yorkers," said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. "The Governor's policies make this great state a more affordable and attractive location, opening the door for even greater economic investment and job creation for New Yorkers. Our Marvel series for Netflix will inject millions directly into the local economy and create hundreds of new jobs."

"We thank the Governor and the great state of New York for helping us create the ultimate backdrop to this epic series. Setting our production in New York City truly underscores the authenticity and excitement we plan to bring to The Defenders and their 'flawed heroes of Hell's Kitchen' stories," said Alan Fine, President, Marvel Entertainment.

Credit: Marvel

Further details via the official Marvel press release:

Last November, Disney and Netflix announced an unprecedented deal for Marvel TV to bring multiple original series of live-action adventures of four of Marvel's most popular characters exclusively to the world's leading Internet TV Network beginning in 2015. This pioneering agreement calls for Marvel to develop four serialized programs totaling 52 one-hour episodes culminating in a four to eight episode mini-series programming event. Led by a series focused on "Daredevil," followed by "Jessica Jones," "Iron Fist" and "Luke Cage," the epic will unfold over multiple years of original programming, taking viewers deep into the gritty world of heroes and villains of Hell's Kitchen, New York. Netflix has committed to a minimum of four, thirteen episodes series and a mini-series event in which the Marvel characters from the first four series team up as "The Defenders," much like "The Avengers."

This new original TV deal follows last year's landmark movie distribution deal through which, beginning with 2016 theatrically released feature films, Netflix will be the exclusive U.S. subscription television service for first-run, live-action and animated movies from the Walt Disney Studios, including titles from Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Disneynature and Lucasfilm.

"The Defenders are classic New York characters; smart, resourceful and tough enough to always stand up for what's right," said Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer. "We're delighted they're coming to life on their home turf thanks to Governor Cuomo and his team."

This is amazing news for the city of New York, and also for Netflix, which is really shoring up its original programming content. Not many other streaming VOD services can compete with what Netflix is accomplishing with this deal, although Amazon is at least trying by resurrecting the recently-canceled Ripper Street. Netflix, however, is also in the business of resurrecting canceled series: not only has Arrested Development found a home on the VOD service, the network is also bringing The Killing back from the dead for a final season. With this Marvel project, Netflix will have a formidable roster of original content. And this is exciting news for the future of TV, if nothing else.