Freeform orders Marvel's Cloak and Dagger series

[Enterprise is Great]

Freeform (stupid name IMO) formerly known as ABC Family has ordered Marvel's Cloak and Dagger to straight to series.

http://tvline.com/2016/04/07/marvel-cloak-and-dagger-tv-series-freeform/

An adaptation of the Marvel comics characters first introduced in a 1982 Spectacular Spider-Man series and then in success spun off into their own adventures, the live-action project follows Tyrone “Ty” Johnson and Tandy Bowen, a pair of powered young people who as Cloak and Dagger absorb baddies into “darkness” and shoot light daggers, respectively.

I'm guessing that since this is fromDisney/ABC it will be set in the MCU. Were Cloak and Dagger mutants? I think they were but probably not in this series.

 

[theenglish]

It seems odd that this would be on family--weren't they quite brutal in their pursuits against crime.

Being on ABC Family seems like this is intended to be Marvel's version of Kyle XY.

 

[kitik]

Cloak & Dagger were first mentioned as a possible tv show on ABC Family back in 2011.

Five years later...


Not that I'm complaining, mind you. I look forward to a Runaways show finally being announced too, and the inevitable crossover between the two.

Were Cloak and Dagger mutants?

Yep, but that obviously isn't an option in the MCU. They'll probably just go with the "experimental drugs" angle. That's usually enough explantion for superpowers.

 

[kitik]

It seems odd that this would be on family--weren't they quite brutal in their pursuits against crime.

This show won't be R-rated (or like the Netflix shows) obviously, but I think ABC Family aims for an older teen demographic than something like the Disney channel.

From the Variety article:
http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/marvel-cloak-and-dagger-freeform-series-1201747907/#
The characters’ story is targeted toward young adults, making “Cloak and Dagger” a seamless fit for Freeform (previously ABC Family) whose target audience is “Becomers,” the 14-34 demo.

I have never heard the word "becomers" before.

 

[cylkoth]

I have never heard the word "becomers" before.

The guy behind the rebrand came up with it I'm guessing...

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Becomers sounds like it could be a Marvel comic title/team.

 

[Admiral2]

Cloak & Dagger were first mentioned as a possible tv show on ABC Family back in 2011.

Five years later...


Not that I'm complaining, mind you. I look forward to a Runaways show finally being announced too, and the inevitable crossover between the two.

Yep, but that obviously isn't an option in the MCU. They'll probably just go with the "experimental drugs" angle. That's usually enough explantion for superpowers.

The mutant part is a retcon. In their first appearance their powers came from the drugs.

 

[TheSeeker]

The mutant part is a retcon. In their first appearance their powers came from the drugs.

That's what I remember as well.

I was hoping we'd get a movie, but I'll be interested to see what they do with the show.

 

[C.E. Evans]

The mutant part is a retcon. In their first appearance their powers came from the drugs.

In a subsequent one-shot issue, it was later revealed after some testing that Cloak and Dagger were actually not mutants. They were briefly associated with the X-Men when it was thought they were, but they left almost immediately and went back to being on their own once it was proven they weren't.

 

[Admiral2]

In a subsequent one-shot issue, it was later revealed after some testing that Cloak and Dagger were actually not mutants. They were briefly associated with the X-Men when it was thought they were, but they left almost immediately and went back to being on their own once it was proven they weren't.

I prefer the drug origin anyway. It was Marvel's "don't do drugs" comic duo. "If you do drugs you could end up a formless ghost or a hot chick in a skintight bodysuit."

Not a perfect anti-drug message, but...

 

[Captain Craig]

I'm very curious and eager about following the development of this. I could end up disappointed if the show is basically some teen angsty version of Teen Wolf....but with Powered Teens of the MCU.

 

[JoeZhang]

It should be they smoke crack and just *think* they have superpowers - make it a comedy.

 

[JD]

I don't know anything about the characters, but at this point I'll try anything Marvel does on TV or movies.
I am a little surprised they aren't going for The Runaways as their Freeform series, since they seem to be the most popular and well known teen team from Marvel of the last decade or so.

 

[Skywalker]

Hopefully the writing and acting will be better than they are on Shadowhunters.

 

[kitik]

Hopefully the writing and acting will be better than they are on Shadowhunters.

The article mentioned that the show would be co-produced by Marvel and ABC, the same way they do the Netflix shows (and of course the ABC shows).

So yeah, hopefully the quality will be there.

 

[Turtletrekker]

I prefer the drug origin anyway. It was Marvel's "don't do drugs" comic duo. "If you do drugs you could end up a formless ghost or a hot chick in a skintight bodysuit."

Not a perfect anti-drug message, but...

Well, IIRC, Cloak and Dagger were the only survivors of the "testing" process. I can see where ABC saw this as a potential YA project, but I hope it doesn't lose any of the character's darker elements. In particular, Cloak's "hunger", for instance, is a perfect analogue for what addiction is like without showing our heroes needing to shoot up.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

It should be they smoke crack and just *think* they have superpowers - make it a comedy.

How long would it last, though? "I believe I can flyyyyyyyy!!!!" SPLAT!

 

[JD]

Well, IIRC, Cloak and Dagger were the only survivors of the "testing" process. I can see where ABC saw this as a potential YA project, but I hope it doesn't lose any of the characters darker elements. In particular, Cloak's "hunger",for instance, is a perfect analogue for what addiction is like without showing our heroes needing to shoot up.

They'll probably leave the darker aspects in place. A lot of YA stuff goes to some pretty dark places.

 

[kirk55555]

I'm definitely interested. More Marvel TV is a good thing.

 

[Pauln6]

It was Dagger, the preppy white dancer chick, who was the addict initially, while Cloak was her responsible boyfriend who volunteered for the drug trial to try and help her kick her habit. They obviously wanted to move away from the stereotype so that they could... return to the stereotype once they had their powers...