Damage Control (lost pilot for unproduced television series based on Marvel Comics construction company; 2015-2016)
Cover for Damage Control #1 (1988).
Status: Lost
Marvel's Damage Control, or simply Damage Control, was a planned television series based on the construction company of the same name from Marvel Comics. The series was set to be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).[1]
Synopsis
Marvel's Damage Control centers on the overworked and underpaid cleanup crew of the Marvel Universe. Their specialty is dealing with the aftermath of the unique fallout from superhero conflicts, like returning lost ray guns to their rightful owners, rescheduling a wedding venue after it has been vaporized in a battle or even tracking down a missing prize African parrot that's been turned to stone or goo. Sometimes the most important heroes are the ones behind the scenes.[2]
History
On October 2, 2015, both Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter reported that ABC had ordered a pilot for a half-hour, single-camera comedy series based on Damage Control. The series was to be produced by Marvel Television, with Ben Karlin being hired as the showrunner, writer and executive producer alongside David Miner and head of Marvel Television, Jeph Loeb.[2][3]
On January 11, 2016, ABC president Paul Lee told IGN that a script for the pilot had been completed but he had yet to read it. He also stated that the series would air during the 2016-17 television season.[4]
In the March 29, 2016 episode of ABC and Marvel Television's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. titled "Watchdogs", Damage Control would be referenced in order to help set up the new series.[5]
On July 7, 2017, Damage Control would make their true MCU debut in the film, Spider-Man: Homecoming. In Homecoming, and subsequent MCU projects, the organization is depicted as the Department of Damage Control, a United States government agency co-founded by Tony Stark.[6] This is in contrast to its comic book counterpart, which is a private organization. It is unknown if the MCU's current depiction of Damage Control would have conflicted with the vision for the Damage Control series.
Cancellation
It is unclear if Damage Control was still in development by the time Homecoming released or if the pilot itself was ever filmed. As the series was given a put pilot order, ABC likely paid Marvel Television a large sum of money as compensation for the show never going to air.
References
- ↑ Marvel's Damage Control on ScreenRant. Retrieved 15 Feb ‘24
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 ABC Prepping Marvel Comedy ‘Damage Control’ by Kate Stanhope from The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 15 Feb '24.
- ↑ Marvel Comics ‘Damage Control’ Adapted As Comedy TV Series By ABC by Nellie Andreeva from Deadline. Retrieved 15 Feb '24.
- ↑ Second Marvel Comedy in Development at ABC by Terri Schwartz from IGN. Retrieved 15 Feb '24.
- ↑ Did You Catch the ‘Daredevil’ and ‘Damage Control’ Easter Eggs in ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’? by Kevin Fitzpatrick on ScreenCrush. Retrieved 15 Feb '24.
- ↑ The Story Of Damage Control (So Far) In The MCU by Ben F. Silverio from SlashFilm. Retrieved 15 Feb '24.