Ironheart’s release schedule proves it could be the end of an era

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Similar to previous Marvel Cinematic Universe series on Disney+, Ironheart debuted in a more subdued manner, sandwiched between two franchise films. Although summer is typically an ideal time to introduce new television content – given the conclusion of Daredevil: Born Again several months ago with an engaging cliffhanger – the premiere’s reception isn’t quite matching up to that of shows like WandaVision, for instance.

As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but express my disappointment with this particular show. It failed to meet the high expectations set by its potential for many viewers, including myself. What makes the situation even more frustrating is the release schedule. It seems to be mirroring “Star Wars: Andor,” but unfortunately not in a positive manner. The majority of audiences aren’t appreciative of this approach, and it paints a worrying picture for Marvel’s shows on the widely-used streaming platform.

The mini-series started airing the first three out of its total six episodes on Tuesday. This isn’t too unusual given the trend in modern streaming. However, what’s frustrating is that the remaining three episodes will all be released next Tuesday, meaning we’ll have watched the entire series from premiere to finale within just about a week. It seems like that’s all there’s going to be. Keep in mind, this mini-series is explicitly marketed as such, so it looks like Riri Williams won’t be getting a second season.

It seems Disney is eagerly wrapping up ongoing projects, given the rapid succession of releases. With delays in production, it makes sense that once a certain stage is reached, there’s no going back and the project must be released. The final installment of Ironheart comes out on July 1, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps hitting cinemas just a few weeks later on July 25. This marks the end of Phase 5 and the beginning of Phase 6, both happening in the same month. It’s as if they can’t wait to move on from everything that has been delayed in production over the last few years.

In today’s television landscape, there’s a common belief that streaming series no longer continue past their initial seasons – I must admit, the source of this claim is somewhat unclear to me. However, it’s quite unusual for shows, even in large franchises such as Star Wars and Marvel Cinematic Universe, to receive follow-up seasons. The upcoming Daredevil: Born Again series seems to be an exception to this trend, as series not explicitly labeled as miniseries often find themselves canceled after their first season these days.

It appears that streaming services might be encountering issues, but discussing these problems would warrant a different article. The challenges seem to stem from factors like password sharing and subscribers cancelling their streaming service subscriptions when shows end, only to reactivate them if the show returns after some time. There are various other factors contributing to this situation as well. On the business side of things, Disney might be considering a new approach for its shows, but we’re not privy to these details just yet.

As a movie enthusiast, it feels like we’re rushing through these shows without much pause for reflection. However, Born Again seems to be a remarkable outlier to the 2025 trend. Even if Ironheart turns out to be an exceptional show, I have a feeling that in three weeks, it won’t be the topic of many conversations. It’s almost as if this is by design, as if those in charge want to usher in a new era and erase any memory of this one altogether.

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2025-06-27 16:14