Unlike DC, who have a very clear line drawn between their films and TV shows, made quite evident by the fact that some of the characters appear in both mediums but are portrayed by different actors, Marvel has taken a bit of a different approach to things. As fans will know, all of the studio’s properties are set within the same world, though that fact isn’t exactly being taken advantage of at the moment.
Yes, there are references and nods in the television shows to events that occur in the movies, but it’s fan service at best and rarely amounts to anything substantial. Obviously, no one’s expecting Iron Man to touch down in Hell’s Kitchen and help the Defenders take on the Hand later this summer, but it would definitely be nice to see a bit more crossover between the two mediums. Especially since, unlike with DC, it’d be possible to do so.
It’s not only the viewers who want it to happen, either, as several actors tied to various Marvel characters have made public their desire to one day hop over the fence and into the other medium. Unfortunately though, it still hasn’t happened and with the Defenders being ruled out of Avengers: Infinity War some time ago, it doesn’t look like we’ll be getting that epic crossover we’re all dreaming of any time soon. However, that doesn’t mean it’s off the table.
While speaking to i09 about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Marvel head honcho Kevin Feige was, once again, asked about when we can expect to see some of the small screen heroes cross paths with the likes of Tony Stark, Peter Parker, Thor and the others. Specifically, the outlet quizzed him on whether or not being on television rules a character out from appearing on the big screen, and here’s what Feige said.
“Not necessarily. The future’s a long time. So, the truth is, I don’t really know, but there are a lot of TV shows being made, and hopefully we’ll continue to make a lot of movies. At some point, there’s going to be a crossover. Crossover, repetition, or something.”