As fans are probably already aware, Marvel superheroes have appeared in various different cinematic franchises and universes over the years. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is overseen by Marvel Studios, is the big one. However, before Marvel began making its Disney+ shows, a number of Marvel superhero shows were made for Netflix, like "Luke Cage," "Iron Fist," and "Jessica Jones." Similarly, ABC had "Marvel's Agents of SHIELD" and "Agent Carter." Altogether, these shows were part of a planned television empire that was being built under the Marvel Entertainment umbrella, which existed at the time as a separate entity from Marvel Studios.
Fans have long thought that Marvel Studios simply wasn't interested in using some of the characters that ended up appearing in those shows. However, "The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe" reveals that this isn't true. In fact, when the 2010s saw the rights for characters like Ghost Rider and Blade begin reverting back to Marvel, it turns out that it was Marvel Entertainment that decided to keep them out of the hands of Marvel Studios.
The book reveals (via The Direct) that, "It was decided by Marvel Entertainment's higher-ups that because the movie side was already deeply committed to their successful 'Avengers' characters, and the impending 'Guardians of the Galaxy' characters, that the returnees would instead help build a planned TV empire under the direct control of Marvel Entertainment (entirely separate from Marvel Studios). The film side had no control over those characters, despite their interest in developing them. Instead, they all went to Marvel Entertainment."
