Netflix’s The Defenders has only barely graced our screens, but one question has been asked ever since the series was announced: will the Defenders ever join their Avengers counterparts on the big screen? A glut of characters will appear in the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War, drawing together nearly every hero that has appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to date. Is there room for the Defenders in this expansive line up, and should they appear at all?
The Defenders Deserve To Be On The Big Screen
Since the first series of Daredevil, Netflix’s MCU shows have been almost universally praised for their mature content, gripping storylines, and excellent characterisation. True, Iron Fist was a rare misstep, and Danny Rand appears to be the weak link in an otherwise solid miniseries. Each series explores the darker and seedier side of the New York City that the mainstream Marvel heroes inhabit, playing true to the character’s comic book origins.
From day one, the Netflix series have existed almost separate from the mainstream MCU despite occurring in the same universe. The New York City the Defenders inhabit is recovering from the events of the alien invasion referred to simply as “the Incident.” There are small crossovers and references from the films, but there is nothing going the other way. The mainstream MCU pays no heed to the goings on of the television universe. As an integral part of the MCU’s television universe, the inclusion of the Defenders in Infinity War would serve to cement their place in the overall story.
Adding the Defenders to Infinity War does not have to be much more than including them in the gathering of heroes that would face off against the cosmic menace that is Thanos. They do not need to be prominent or even vital to the story. Adding them to the line-up would reward the fans of the television series and serve to legitimize the Defenders as part of the wider MCU.
Television and Film Should Remain Separate
On the flip side, the Netflix series have absolutely no bearing on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and should not encroach on the films. What defines the television series – their darker tone, grey morality, and edgy characterisation – does not fit in with the “brighter” world of the MCU films. While the films have entered a darker territory of late, they have never fallen into the “gritty” category that the television series currently occupies. As a result, bringing Daredevil and company into the mainstream MCU would cause a tonal clash that would upset the balance of the movies.
The film and television universes have always been kept at arm’s length, and seemingly for good reason. When asked about crossovers, the usual answer from the various filmmakers and producers is along the lines of “it is possible, but not likely.” Marvel is aware that fans want to see all of their heroes on the same screen in a visual adaptation that evokes one of the many Marvel crossover events to grace comic books. If they thought it was a good idea and would make a great movie, they would most likely word hard to incorporate the television MCU into the films. The fact that they do not is telling in itself.
When looked at logically, the films are about larger than life characters. Soldiers frozen in time, billionaires with armored suits, alien gods, and gamma monsters. Street-level heroes and vigilantes have no place in this greater MCU.
Is There A Solution?
We know that the Defenders will not appear in Infinity War, but given that the movie has only just started filming it is not inconceivable that they could be added to the film during the process. However, would it serve the film to include them?
In some ways, it would make more sense to include the Defenders if this was the first Avengers film. Since that was set in New York, the presence of the four Defenders would be justified. But at this time, with little details on the relevant plot lines and locations, the Avengers could be battling Thanos’ forces anywhere but New York. If this is case, then it would be a stretch if those four heroes showed up anywhere else. Each is explicitly tied to New York City, and it currently does not make much sense to use them outside of that setting.
Of course, the Defenders could be featured in the film even if they never associate with the main Avengers. Cameos where they react to the events of the film, or even being shown fighting against Thanos or his forces separate from the main cast could be added to the film. Their motivations and circumstances for appearing in the film could then be explored in their own respective series without derailing the main Infinity War storyline.
On the other hand, adding the Defenders to the film makes little narrative sense beyond pure fan service. In effect, they would be adding the Defenders for the sake of adding them. If they do not contribute much to the overall story, then there is little point in including them in an already character-packed film. There is also no guarantee that fans of the films have even watched the Netflix series, and will not be invested in the characters at all – or even know who they are.
Adding the Defenders to Infinity War might please a large portion of the fanbase, but overall it does not make much sense in terms of storytelling.
