Here's Why Luke Cage Probably Won't Make It Into a Marvel Movie Any Time Soon

Mike Coulter and the show's producers discussed the upcoming Netflix series at their summer TCA panel

We've seen plenty of crossovers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe when characters from the movies visit the TV shows. But why haven't we seen it the other way around?

Jeph Loeb, executive vice president of Marvel Television, has a very simple answer: logistics. "The movies are planned out years in advance," he told critics at the Television Critics Association summer press tour panel for Marvel's latest Netflix series, Luke Cage. "Television moves at an incredible speed."

Movies come out years after they're filmed, but in TV it's only a matter of months. That means it's much easier for a movie character to be integrated into a series, but to include a TV character in a film would take meticulous planning. Besides, television production schedules are rigorous, which means that a TV star in question—take, for example, Luke Cage star Mike Colter—would probably be busy filming his TV show when he would be needed on a film set.

Loeb also said that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is all connected in a much broader way than just characters crossing over from film to TV. "Our feeling is that the connection isn't just whether someone is walking into a movie or walking out of a TV show, it's connected in that they come from the same place...and are grounded," he added.

As far as the Marvel/Netflix TV schedule goes, Luke Cage's first season premieres on Sept. 30. "The next show up will be Iron Fist and then after that The Defenders. We do know we're going to do another season of Jessica Jones and another season of Daredevil. We hope Luke Cage [gets another season too]," Loeb revealed.

Colter, who plays the titular character, reflected on the importance of portraying a black superhero. "It's important in the landscape of television and also globally as far as symbols. People, when they look at black culture, it's important they have positive images."

While it's a bit overwhelming at times to represent something so significant, "I'm proud that people do think he's a good superhero and I hope that the black community can feel good about it as well," he added.

Luke Cage season one debuts Sept. 30 on Netflix.