‘Agatha All Along’ Is Marvel’s Least-Expensive Show EVER
In the wake of the disappointing reception to last year’s Secret Invasion, Marvel announced that it was overhauling its television series production process.
The disastrous result of Secret Invasion, coupled with the divisive reception of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, convinced Disney and Marvel that something needed to change.
Image: Marvel
To that end, Marvel relaunched its Marvel Television, introduced Marvel Spotlight, and began creating television shows in more traditional ways, including relying on showrunners and show bibles.
The first fruit of Marvel’s new strategy was Echo, which received strong reviews from critics and fans alike.
Image: Disney
The biggest test, however, was Agatha All Along.
Agatha All Along’s Stunningly Low Budget
Spearheaded by creator Jac Schaffer, Agatha All Along has been a critical and commercial hit for Marvel. Perhaps more interesting, however, is the show’s budget.
In recent weeks, reports have emerged that Agatha All Along cost less than Echo’s $40 million budget. That would make the show Marvel’s least-expensive series ever. It could also mark a turning point in Marvel’s streaming strategy.
While the exact cost of Agatha All Along remains unclear, Marvel’s Head of Streaming, Brad Winderbaum, confirmed in a recent interview with Variety that the series is the least expensive Marvel show ever.
“I can tell you it’s our least expensive show, and I think that was by design,” Winderbaum said.
“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. 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.”
Considering that the first seasons of both She-Hulk and Secret Invasion cost over $200 each, Agatha’s budget is staggeringly low.
Source: Marvel Studios
Leading up to the series’ release, Schaefer and Kathryn Hahn emphasized that they wanted to avoid CG and other special effects. The result has been a more grounded series.
More Creative Freedom
According to Winderbaum, the key to fiscal responsibility is using effects efficiently.
Marvel Studios Logo. Photo: Marvel
“I think it’s about how you use the effects, as opposed to the scale of the effects,” he said. “And we’re responding to our own recent history here and how effective effects really are in increasing the value of a story.”
Image: Marvel
While Agatha’s relatively low budget is good for Disney’s bottom line, more importantly, it gives Marvel more creative freedom.
‘Agatha’ Has Provided a Blueprint For Marvel
It has been proven time and again that bloated budgets, more than anything else, can doom a streaming show. If a show like She-Hulk had a reasonable budget, the odds of a second season of the series would have been exponentially higher.
Source: Marvel Studios
A better example may be The Acolyte, which, though proving to be divisive, also developed a dedicated fanbase. Like She-Hulk and Secret Invasion, however, The Acolyte also had a $200+ budget. It was canceled after one season.
Going forward, Winderbaum confirmed that Marvel will continue to reign its television budgets.
Source: Marvel Studios
“[The approach] certainly holds true with ‘Daredevil’ and our future slate as we look down the pike at ’26 and ’27. That’s certainly the goal.”
Source: Marvel Studios
While it remains to be seen if Marvel can recreate the magic of Agatha All Along, their new television strategy is paying off so far.
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