With the success of Daredevil earlier this year, Marvel’s Netflix universe is officially underway—and fans are already looking ahead to what characters might join the gritty, street-level world in Phase II. While Marvel has yet to confirm anything beyond Daredevil Season 2 and the upcoming debuts of Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist, a new report suggests that some iconic fan-favorites may be under serious consideration for future series.
According to a recent report from Heroic Hollywood, Marvel is currently developing plans for its Netflix “Phase II,” which will include The Defenders—a team-up series bringing together the heroes introduced in the initial wave of shows. However, The Defenders isn’t expected to premiere until 2017, as Marvel reportedly aims to produce two to three Netflix series per year.
In the meantime, Marvel is said to be “toying with” the idea of introducing darker characters like The Punisher, Blade, and Ghost Rider—but not without hesitation. Each of these characters comes with unique challenges that may not align with Marvel’s vision for the Netflix universe.
The report states that while Elektra will appear in Daredevil Season 2 (confirming earlier rumors and leaked audition tapes), characters like Ghost Rider and Blade pose greater risks. Their stories rely heavily on supernatural elements, which could be seen as a tonal departure from the grounded realism of Daredevil. Ghost Rider, in particular, would also demand extensive CGI—something Marvel may be reluctant to invest in for a television series.
Violence is another sticking point. The Punisher, though wildly popular, is known for his lethal methods—something that could clash with the morally gray but non-lethal stance of Marvel’s Netflix heroes thus far. There’s concern that these characters might push the series too far into R-rated territory. Marvel reportedly prefers to maintain a “hard PG-13” tone to keep their shows accessible but intense.
Still, fans shouldn’t lose hope. The report notes that a more likely approach would be to introduce these characters through cameos or backdoor pilots. For example, The Flash on The CW successfully used this strategy with Firestorm, paving the way for Legends of Tomorrow. If audiences respond well, Marvel could greenlight full standalone series for Punisher, Blade, or Ghost Rider down the road.
With Daredevil Season 2 already in development and Jessica Jones set to debut later this year, Marvel’s Netflix slate is growing fast—and the potential for even more characters is an exciting prospect for fans.
Which character would you most like to see in Marvel’s Netflix Phase II? Sound off in the comments below!