Comic-Con 2020: Why Marvel terminated its contract with 'Helstrom' showrunner Paul Zbyszewski?
It came as surprise to many when reports that Marvel had terminated deals with television showrunners Steve Lightfoot ('The Punisher') and Paul Zbyszewski ('Helstrom') In April, in light of the Covid-19 outbreak. The entertainment industry was hit hard with the effects of the global health crisis and many studios were forced to terminate contracts with showrunners and filmmakers.
While Lightfoot's journey at Marvel was brief, Zbyszewski's relationship with the studio can be traced all the way back to the beginnings of ABC's 'Marvel's Agents Of Shield', which was the company's first-ever live-action series. At present, Zbyszewsk remains the showrunner on Marvel's upcoming Hulu live-action drama series 'Helstrom'. Zbyszewski will complete post-production work on the Tom Austen-starrer which wrapped up production before the coronavirus pandemic struck.
'Helstrom', which is developed by Marvel TV head Jeph Loeb, along with animated series 'MODOK' and 'Hit Monkey' are the few projects from Loeb to survive the merging of Marvel's television team into the Kevin Feige's Marvel Studios. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Marvel invoked the force majeure clauses in Lightfoot and Zbyszewski's contracts. Marvel declined to comment on the news.
There will be a panel discussion on 'Helstrom' during Comic-Con 2020, on Friday, July 23, between 3 and 4 pm. The panel discussion will feature the cast and creators of the new Hulu series based on the Marvel Comics character, including Tom Austen, Sydney Lemmon, Elizabeth Marvel, Robert Wisdom, Ariana Guerra, June Carryl, Alain Uy and showrunner Paul Zbyszewski.
Ahead of Comic-Con 2020, the official synopsis for 'Helstrom' is, "As the son and daughter of a mysterious and powerful serial killer, Hulu Original Helstrom follows Daimon (Tom Austen) and Ana Helstrom (Sydney Lemmon), and their complicated dynamic, as they track down the worst of humanity — each with their own attitude and skills."
Helstrom is created for television and executive produced by Paul Zbyszewski along with Karim Zreik and Jeph Loeb. Helstrom is co-produced by Marvel Television and ABC Signature Studios, part of Disney Television Studios. Marvel's 'Helstrom' stars Tom Austen Daimon Helstrom, Sydney Lemmon as Ana Helstrom, Elizabeth Marvel as Victoria Helstrom, Ariana Guerra as Gabriella Rossetti, Robert Wisdom as Caretaker, June Carryl as Louise Hastings and Alain Uy as Chris Yen. The series is expected to debut on Hulu this year.