Marvel Studios Puts NOVA, STRANGE ACADEMY and TERROR, INC. on Hold as TV Strategy Shifts
Marvel Studios has hit the brakes on three of their Disney+ series projects including Nova, Strange Academy, and Terror, Inc. as part of a broader shift in its development approach. This is the first time I’ve heard of a Terror Inc. project.While none of these shows were officially greenlit, sources indicate they could still happen down the line. For now, though, Marvel’s priorities have obviously changed.This move reflects the shift in how Marvel is approaching TV development. Previously, the studio followed a feature-film model, announcing slates of projects that would almost always make it to production. However, in the past couple of years, Marvel has opted for a more traditional TV development strategy by crafting multiple projects and greenlighting only a select few. This change came as part of an overall industry adjustment, influenced by concerns about superhero fatigue, market contraction, and the need to refine audience engagement strategies.Marvel Studios' Head of TV, Streaming, and Animation, Brad Winderbaum, previously talked about this evolution in an interview, saying:“We’re developing more than we make now, so we actually have a few different things brewing that we might see through to at least a pilot script to see if we want to make it. But, there’s a lot of opportunity out there, it’s hard to choose favorites… We’re really being careful about what we choose to do next.”Among the three projects, Nova was the furthest along. First announced in 2022, the adaptation was initially written by Sabir Pirzada. Marvel later tapped Criminal Minds alum Ed Bernero to take over as writer and showrunner, replacing Pirzada.Meanwhile, Strange Academy and Terror, Inc. had been rumored for some time but were never officially confirmed. Strange Academy, based on the 2020 comic series by Skottie Young and Humberto Ramos, was set in New Orleans and followed a school for young magic users established by Doctor Strange. The Disney+ series was expected to center on Wong (Benedict Wong), but beyond that, details were scarce.Terror, Inc.is a lesser-known Marvel property and follows an antihero named Terror, who can attach the body parts of others to himself, gaining their abilities and memories. Originally created by Dan Chichester, Margaret Clark, and Klaus Janson, the character debuted as Shreck in St. George #2 in 1988 before being reintroduced as Terror in 1992. Like Strange Academy, the series was never officially announced, and no creative team had been publicly attached. That sounds like it would make an awesome series, though!Despite these projects being put on hold, Marvel still has plenty of projects coming our way. Daredevil: Born Again is set to premiere on March 4, followed by Ironheart on June 24 and Wonder Man later this year. On the film side, Captain America: Brave New World debuted on Valentine’s Day and has already pulled in over $204M globally. Thunderbolts is up next on May 2, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps arriving on July 25.Source: Deadline


Marvel Studios has hit the brakes on three of their Disney+ series projects including Nova, Strange Academy, and Terror, Inc. as part of a broader shift in its development approach. This is the first time I’ve heard of a Terror Inc. project.
While none of these shows were officially greenlit, sources indicate they could still happen down the line. For now, though, Marvel’s priorities have obviously changed.
This move reflects the shift in how Marvel is approaching TV development. Previously, the studio followed a feature-film model, announcing slates of projects that would almost always make it to production.
However, in the past couple of years, Marvel has opted for a more traditional TV development strategy by crafting multiple projects and greenlighting only a select few.
This change came as part of an overall industry adjustment, influenced by concerns about superhero fatigue, market contraction, and the need to refine audience engagement strategies.
Marvel Studios' Head of TV, Streaming, and Animation, Brad Winderbaum, previously talked about this evolution in an interview, saying:
“We’re developing more than we make now, so we actually have a few different things brewing that we might see through to at least a pilot script to see if we want to make it. But, there’s a lot of opportunity out there, it’s hard to choose favorites… We’re really being careful about what we choose to do next.”
Among the three projects, Nova was the furthest along. First announced in 2022, the adaptation was initially written by Sabir Pirzada. Marvel later tapped Criminal Minds alum Ed Bernero to take over as writer and showrunner, replacing Pirzada.
Meanwhile, Strange Academy and Terror, Inc. had been rumored for some time but were never officially confirmed. Strange Academy, based on the 2020 comic series by Skottie Young and Humberto Ramos, was set in New Orleans and followed a school for young magic users established by Doctor Strange.
The Disney+ series was expected to center on Wong (Benedict Wong), but beyond that, details were scarce.
Terror, Inc.is a lesser-known Marvel property and follows an antihero named Terror, who can attach the body parts of others to himself, gaining their abilities and memories. Originally created by Dan Chichester, Margaret Clark, and Klaus Janson, the character debuted as Shreck in St. George #2 in 1988 before being reintroduced as Terror in 1992.
Like Strange Academy, the series was never officially announced, and no creative team had been publicly attached. That sounds like it would make an awesome series, though!
Despite these projects being put on hold, Marvel still has plenty of projects coming our way. Daredevil: Born Again is set to premiere on March 4, followed by Ironheart on June 24 and Wonder Man later this year.
On the film side, Captain America: Brave New World debuted on Valentine’s Day and has already pulled in over $204M globally. Thunderbolts is up next on May 2, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps arriving on July 25.
Source: Deadline