Netflix Needs To Bring Back This Canceled Sci-Fi Series
TV shows about superheroes and sci-fi worlds are incredibly popular right now, especially with shows like Loki, The Boys, and The Mandalorian. However, there was one Netflix sci-fi TV series that was cut short after just one season, and it should make its return to the streaming platform. Jupiter’s Legacy only released eight episodes in 2021 before it was canceled due to several reasons.
The short-lived Netflix superhero series Jupiter’s Legacy deserves a second season to further explore its generational storyline.
The short-lived sci-fi TV series Jupiter’s Legacy follows a group of superheroes called the Union of Justice who live on an island in the Atlantic Ocean. The leader is Sheldon Sampson (AKA The Utopian), a man who received his superpowers along with his brother and four others. They live in harmony with the younger generation of superheroes since they don’t interfere with politics or kill any of their adversaries.
The lives of the Union of Justice get turned upside down when Sheldon’s son, Brandon, seemingly kills a foe. The incident sparks a debate between the superheroes and the public, causing many to question the once-perfect ideals of the Union of Justice. Throughout the show’s eight episodes, viewers are brought back and forth between the past and the present to better understand the lives of its characters, much like ABC’s show This Is Us.
Rather than adapting stories from a Marvel or DC comic book, Jupiter’s Legacy is based on the comic book series of the same name by Mark Millar and Frank Quitely. Steven S. DeKnight, who had previously worked on Smallville, Daredevil, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, came on board as the showrunner and executive producer. Due to creative differences, he was replaced by Sang Kyu Kim (a writer from The Walking Dead) halfway through the show’s production.
With all of the reboots of classic Marvel and DC shows and the never-ending storylines in the Star Wars and Star Trek franchises, Jupiter’s Legacy was a refreshing new take on the lives of new superheroes.
Jupiter’s Legacy had a good cast that was primarily led by Josh Duhamel, who played Sheldon Sampson / The Utopian while sporting long white hair and a thick grey beard. His wife and one of the most powerful beings on the planet, Grace Kennedy-Sampson / Lady Liberty, was played by Leslie Bibb, who is well-known for playing Christine Everhart in Iron Man and Iron Man 2.
There were also many guest appearances from a variety of actors, including Kurtwood Smith, Sharon Belle, Stephen Oyoung, and Jess Salgueiro, among others.
When Jupiter’s Legacy first started streaming on Netflix, it became the most-watched show on any streaming service during its first week, even beating out the critically acclaimed TV show The Handmaid’s Tale. The following week, it received over 1 billion viewing minutes, but then viewership began to steadily drop off. It went from being the third most-streamed original series to the seventh overall in just a matter of weeks.
While some fans and critics enjoyed the first season, some gave it a negative review. There was plenty of exciting action and great fights between superheroes, but many felt that the narrative was too slow and overcomplicated. Other critics felt that the acting was lacking and the costume designs were poor.
After viewership fell off and the negative reviews from critics came in, Jupiter’s Legacy was canceled by Netflix. However, we think it should come back for at least one more season. Because despite Josh Duhamel’s ridiculously fake wig and beard, the TV series still had a lot going for it.
Jupiter’s Legacy went from being one of Netflix’s most popular shows to falling down the streaming charts in a few weeks.
With all of the reboots of classic Marvel and DC shows and the never-ending storylines in the Star Wars and Star Trek franchises, Jupiter’s Legacy was a refreshing new take on the lives of new superheroes.
In the comic book series, the older and younger superheroes had to battle their foes in addition to their own sociopolitical and economic differences, which is something many people can relate to in today’s economy. It follows the real-life problem of clashing generations and the divide between ages.
If the showrunner stayed on board throughout the show’s production, and if the storylines were jazzed up to match the excitement of the action scenes, then Jupiter’s Legacy could capture and hold the attention of many viewers.
Even if it does not get picked back up for another season, there might be another season of the spin-off TV series Super Crooks. The animated series takes place in the same universe as Jupiter’s Legacy, and its first season was released on Netflix in November 2021. There has been no confirmation of a second season yet, but fans can hope for it.
