How a failed Marvel film project became a pioneering experiment in television distribution
In short: Originally slated as a Marvel Cinematic Universe feature film, the Inhumans project was pivoted to television after a 2016 cancellation. The resulting series made history as the first live-action show to debut on IMAX screens, using a unique financing deal to push the boundaries of traditional network production scope.
The Inhumans series, created by Scott Buck, centers on the Royal Family of Attilan, led by the silent King Black Bolt. The show’s development path was unconventional; initially announced in 2014 as a Phase Three film, it was removed from the Marvel Studios slate in April 2016. By November, the project was re-envisioned as an eight-episode television series for ABC. This transition was driven by the belief that the complex social structure and diverse powers of the Inhumans were better suited for a series format rather than a single film.
A defining feature of the production was the partnership with IMAX Entertainment, which fully financed the first two episodes. This collaboration aimed to create a spectacle that would generate buzz in a crowded television market. Showrunner Scott Buck noted that the IMAX involvement encouraged the creative team to think bigger regarding the show's visual scope. Despite this, the series faced significant challenges, including unfavorable reviews and low ratings, leading to its cancellation by ABC in May 2018.
The production process was marked by technical ambition, such as the use of CGI for the 2,000-pound teleporting dog, Lockjaw—the first time a full CGI character was featured on a TV series. Meanwhile, actor Anson Mount, playing the non-verbal Black Bolt, developed a bespoke sign language system over 50 pages to ensure the character remained compelling without dialogue. While the show struggled to find its footing, it remains a notable experiment in the intersection of theatrical exhibition and network television, even as elements of the series, such as Mount's portrayal of Black Bolt, later resurfaced in other MCU projects.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Inhumans (TV series)
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