We’re sure that even the people behind Hulu would acknowledge, at least in private, that until recently they’ve been running in third place in the race of the streaming services behind Netflix and Amazon. But the company are gaining ground fast: the network’s shows like “Casual” and “Difficult People” have been winning more and more fans, and their latest, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” is one of the best reviewed and most talked about shows of 2017 to date, finally providing them a killer app for those who’ve been on the fence.
The service are holding a ‘NewFront’ presentation today to show off some of their wares, and their new LiveTV service, and with it has come the announcement of two big shows that will likely continue to draw in some subscribers. Firstly, per Deadline, Hulu announced that they’ve greenlit their adaptation of Marvel’s “Runaways” to series. The comic, penned by the great Brian K. Vaughan and following the kids of supervillains who discover their parents’ secret identities and team up to become heroes, was once set to be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but got waylaid by the grand crossover plans that the characters didn’t really fit into.
“Gossip Girl” creators Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage have turned it into a series, and it’s not entirely surprising that Hulu have officially picked it up. The comic is pretty great, and it could be a welcome break in tone from the grimness of the Marvel Netflix shows, so we’re curious to see how it turns out.
Hulu have also announced that they’ve picked up, straight to series, “The First,” which marks the first project for “House Of Cards” showrunner Beau Willimon since he left the Netflix drama at the end of Season 4, a year ago. A co-production with the UK’s Channel 4, it’s a sci-fi show about the process of intergalactic colonization, with Willimon saying in a statement “It’s a story about the human spirit. About our indomitable need to reach for unknown horizons. About people working toward the greatest pioneering achievement in human history. And about the cost of that vision, the danger and sacrifice – emotional, psychological, and physical – that’s required to achieve it. How ordinary, imperfect people band together and overcome a myriad of obstacles to grasp the extraordinary.”
It sounds interesting, though not a million miles away from Amazon’s “Oasis” pilot, which hasn’t yet been picked up — that was pretty good, and we wonder if this might impact its chances. We’re expecting more Hulu news throughout the day, so stay tuned for more.