S.H.I.E.L.D. Spinoff Marvel's Most Wanted Isn't Happening

While comic book series are thriving on The CW and Fox, other networks aren’t having as positive a time of it. ABC is currently comfortable with how Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is doing enough to keep it going for at least another year. But the network cancelled Agent Carter earlier today and then dealt a further blow with the announcement that the long-gestating S.H.I.E.L.D. spinoff Marvel’s Most Wanted will not be moving forward to series for the fall season, giving it the most ironic title of the TV year.

On the one hand, this isn’t surprising given ABC’s publicized problems with their Marvel output, which include budget and ratings issues. But on the other, Marvel’s Most Wanted really seemed like it had a shot to land at least a limited episode order out the gate. For one, the network had already passed on it last year, only to give the project more interest this year, which led to a pilot order and some sweet casting.

As well, Most Wanted was a direct spinoff from S.H.I.E.L.D., so its existence made more sense moving forward than another season of Agent Carter arguably would have, if the network was going with one or the other. After all, some big moves were made within Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. to accommodate for the new drama’s existence, basically taking agents Bobbi Morse and Lance Hunter away from the agency in a way that completely severed ties. And while we all know that comic book shows can always find ways to return to any desired status quo, it will take some leaps and sheepish looks from the creative team to get the duo back smoothly. According to EW, it’s unknown at this point whether or not actors Adrianne Palicki and Nick Blood will have a future within S.H.I.E.L.D. when the show returns later this year.

The plot behind Marvel’s Most Wanted would follow an on-the-run and endangered Bobbi and Lance as they team with adventurer Dominic Fortune (Delroy Lindo), who agrees to offer them protection from all of their multiple enemies in exchange for their help on his own quest. Oded Fehr of The Mummy fame was set to play a well-known Marvel villain within the show, which also had actress Fernanda Andrade signed on for a role. The world is always a worse place when Delroy Lindo isn’t assured a new place on our TVs.

ABC also dished out bad news for fans of other series on its schedule, such as The Muppets and Castle, to name but a few. Renewals came in for American Crime and The Real O’Neals, among others, but no new Marvel shows. Maybe next year, Most Wanted. Maybe next year.

Nick Venable
Assistant Managing Editor

Nick is a Cajun Country native and an Assistant Managing Editor with a focus on TV and features. His humble origin story with CinemaBlend began all the way back in the pre-streaming era, circa 2009, as a freelancing DVD reviewer and TV recapper.  Nick leapfrogged over to the small screen to cover more and more television news and interviews, eventually taking over the section for the current era and covering topics like Yellowstone, The Walking Dead and horror. Born in Louisiana and currently living in Texas — Who Dat Nation over America’s Team all day, all night — Nick spent several years in the hospitality industry, and also worked as a 911 operator. If you ever happened to hear his music or read his comics/short stories, you have his sympathy.