Captain Marvel Won’t Receive Netflix Release

Deadline reports that Captain Marvel will be the first Disney Marvel release that won’t be available on Netflix. Previously, all of the MCU releases have been available on the streaming service, including last year’s Avengers: Infinity War. However, Captain Marvel will mark the start of a post-Netflix era for Marvel Disney releases.

Additionally, Disney will be launching its own premium subscription streaming service, Disney+, later this year. It’s set to feature original Marvel Studios shows and content. Captain Marvel will be held from Netflix and shown on Disney+ instead. The news was confirmed yesterday (Feb. 5) by Disney CEO Bob Iger at a Q1 earnings call.

CFO Christine McCarthy estimated that the “forgone” licensing opportunity from this strategy and other Disney releases in 2019 could cut operating income for the studio for a price in the range of $150 million.

Disney officials also promised more answers later this April. The company plans for a major demo of the Disney+ app on April 11, along with an in-depth discussion on the service’s financial impact. Iger stated on the earnings call, “What we’re basically trying to do here is invest in our future. [The moves are] all designed so that long-term this business will become an important part of Disney’s bottom line.”

Meanwhile, Captain Marvel arrives in theaters on March 8.