Rumors are spreading that Marvel Television wants to create its own detective-style series for Disney+. The talk comes after DC’s Lanterns show became a major hit on HBO. Lanterns pulled in impressive numbers for its first three episodes. The show has drawn more than 20 million viewers since its release. Episode 3 also hit a new record for the series.
The DC show takes a different approach to superhero stories. It follows Hal Jordan and John Stewart as they uncover a galactic conspiracy in a small Nebraska town. The series is loosely inspired by the crime drama True Detective. This grounded, mystery-focused format has clearly worked for DC.
Now the word is that Marvel wants to copy that winning formula. But is there any truth to these claims? Let’s break down what we know.
The Rumor Started With a Trusted Scooper
The whole story comes from Daniel Richtman, also known as DanielRPK. He is a well-known insider who often shares early information about upcoming projects. Richtman posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Marvel is developing a detective series.
Fans quickly connected this to Lanterns success. The timing makes sense. Lanterns premiered on August 16 on HBO. It has been getting strong viewer numbers ever since. Marvel likely sees the value in this type of storytelling.
However, Marvel Studios has not officially confirmed anything. For now, this remains a rumor. But the speculation has already started about which Marvel characters could fit this detective format.
Which Marvel Characters Could Lead a Detective Series?
The soapcentral article points to three Marvel characters that could work well in a detective-style show.
Jessica Jones is the most obvious choice. Her Netflix series was dark and gritty over a decade ago. It dealt with heavy subjects and showed a street-level hero solving cases. Season 1 of Jessica Jones is still considered one of the best Marvel projects. A revival could attract strong viewership.
Misty Knight is another strong candidate. She was introduced in Luke Cage Season 1 as an honest NYPD detective. She loses one of her arms in The Defenders crossover. This leads to her getting a bionic arm like her comic counterpart. With Mike Colter returning as Luke Cage, many hope Simone Missick will also return as Misty Knight.
Mr. Knight is the third option. Moon Knight introduced this character in 2022. Marc Spector has multiple personalities. One of them is Mr. Knight, a suit-wearing detective who works with law enforcement in the comics. The Disney+ series did not explore this detective side. But the MCU could fix that in a future project. The only catch is that Oscar Isaac has not returned to play the character in live action after What If…? Season 3.
Nova Is Also a Strong Possibility
Some fans think the detective series could be about Nova. Nova is Marvel’s closest equivalent to DC’s Green Lantern. Both are space cops working for intergalactic peacekeeping forces. The Nova Corps were already introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy.
According to a Deadline report, Michael Waldron is in early development on a Nova movie. Waldron wrote Loki Season 1 and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. He reportedly has an eye to direct the movie as well.
This is not Marvel’s first attempt at a Nova project. Sabir Pirzada was hired to write a Nova Disney+ series in 2022. He later left the project. Ed Bernero was brought on as showrunner in December 2024. But the Disney+ series was reportedly scrapped by early 2025. Reports then said Nova could be reworked into a theatrical movie.
Now the project has become a movie instead of a series. This reduces the direct comparisons to Lanterns. A big-budget movie can lean into cosmic sci-fi on a larger scale.
Heroes for Hire Could Also Be in the Mix
Another theory involves Luke Cage and Iron Fist forming Heroes for Hire. Industry insider James Mack shared on X that the MCU was planning a Special Presentation based around these two characters. He said it was supposed to be a special show planned for next year.
Both characters were part of Netflix’s side of the MCU. Luke Cage was even teased in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2. A Heroes for Hire project could bring these street-level heroes back into the main MCU.
What This Means for Marvel’s Disney+ Strategy
Marvel has been making many TV shows for Disney+ in recent years. DC has been putting out quality content on the small screen. Lanterns is the first DCU project that feels like a direct competitor to the MCU’s Disney+ shows.
Lanterns success shows that audiences want something different from superhero shows. The True Detective-style format works. A grounded mystery with cosmic elements can attract viewers who might not normally watch superhero content.
Marvel has already tried different formats with shows like WandaVision and Loki. A detective series would be another new direction for the studio. It could bring fresh energy to the Disney+ lineup.
You May Also Like:
The Bigger Picture
This is not the first time Marvel has taken cues from DC. The two studios have always influenced each other. Competition pushes both to create better content.
For now, fans should treat this as a rumor. Marvel Studios has not confirmed any detective series. But the speculation shows how much Lanterns has impacted the superhero TV landscape.
The success of Lanterns has clearly caught Marvel’s attention. Whether they develop a detective series about Jessica Jones, Nova, or Heroes for Hire, one thing is clear. The superhero genre is evolving. Grounded, mystery-driven stories are becoming the new standard.
Lanterns has set a high bar. It will be interesting to see if Marvel can match that quality with their own detective-style project.
Also Read: Lanterns Episode 4 Solves the Manhunter Mystery With a Twist That Changes Everything
Stay tuned to VvipTimes for more updates on Marvel’s upcoming Disney+ projects and all the latest superhero news.
Leave a Reply