Marvel Studios executive Brad Winderbaum has confirmed that future MCU shows will be produced with a smaller budget than the earlier TV projects.
Recently, it was reported that Agatha All Along is the least-expensive MCU series to date, which is an impressive feat considering it still has great production values and visual effects on par with the other shows.
The earlier MCU shows were notably produced with expensive budgets similar to theatrical projects, but they have since then changed their strategy for TV releases and are now aiming to produce less expensive output than before.
Brad Winderbaum on Budget-Conscious Approach for Future MCU Shows
In a recent interview, Winderbaum confirmed that Agatha All Along is their least-expensive MCU series to date and they produced it at a "reasonable cost."
"I can tell you it’s our least expensive show, and I think that was by design. We are looking to make these shows for a responsible cost. Frankly, it gives us a little bit more freedom creatively when we can bring them in at a reasonable budget," he explained.
"Like [Agatha All Along], for example, the show has minimal CG, way less than we’ve ever done before. It’s mostly practical effects, and I think you can feel it in the show."
The Marvel Studios executive added that they will take a similar approach for future MCU shows.
"[It] certainly holds true with Daredevil and our future slate as we look down the pike at ’26 and ’27. That’s certainly the goal," Winderbaum said.
"I think it’s about how you use the effects, as opposed to the scale of the effects. And we’re responding to to our own recent history here, and how effective effects really are in increasing the value of a story."
This starts a new era for the MCU's TV projects, as they are essentially abandoning the idea of doing high-budget programs with A-list characters and stars in favor of a more traditional TV approach, with smaller budgets and fewer in-universe connections to MCU movies.
Marvel Studios is still vague on their plans for the future MCU shows aside from what they have officially announced, but this is a promising sign that they might have finally figured out the TV slate after years of criticisms and backlash.
What do you think of Marvel's new approach to its TV budget? Let us know in the comments!
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