Well, this is certainly unexpected. Marvel’s Inhumans has bounced around theatrical release dates enough that many wondered if Marvel might make the film at all, and now the project appears to have undergone TV-genesis. Yes, Marvel’s The Inhumans is now an ABC TV series premiering in fall 2017, debuting its first two episodes in IMAX theaters!

Word is still breaking, though it appears Marvel now confirms that the first two episodes of The Inhumans – filmed entirely with IMAX digital cameras – will run exclusively in IMAX for two weeks in September 2017. The eight-episode series (focused on Black Bolt and the Royal Family) will then debut weekly on ABC, with “additional exclusive content that can only be seen on the network.”

Intriguingly, The Hollywood Reporter notes that the series wouldn’t necessarily replace a film in Marvel’s lineup, nor will Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. introduce the characters for a spinoff. For the moment, it remains unclear what this means for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. overall (which first introduced the MCU’s concept of Inhumans, but wasn’t expected to interact with the film), while Disney Media Networks co-chairman Ben Sherwood says:

This unprecedented alliance represents a bold, innovative approach to launching great TV content for a worldwide audience. It highlights Disney|ABC’s unrelenting commitment to finding new and creative ways to showcasing our very best programming and increasing global engagement and reach.

Adds IMAX:

This first-of-its-kind multi-platform production, distribution and marketing agreement brings together Marvel Television’s unique brand of entertainment, ABC’s unparalleled audience and IMAX’s brand and global fanboy demographic. It also takes our decades-long relationship with The Walt Disney Company to a whole new level, jointly breaking new ground in the industry. We are confident our exhibition partners will be excited to work with us on this innovative launch of a series across the IMAX network.

We’ll update with further details as they arrive, but what do we make of The Inhumans’ big move? Is it lights out for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. after Season 4?

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