When Marvel and Netflix announced in November that they are developing four live-action TV shows based on comic book characters Daredevil, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and Jessica Jones, many fans wondered if these shows would cross over into the popular Marvel Cinematic Universe as well. While those plans have not been confirmed, Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos revealed in an interview with Empire Magazine that the prospect of these shows crossing over into the MCU has been discussed.

"It has definitely been talked about."

The executive went on to reveal that all of these programs, which are all set to debut in 2015 before all of these characters come together with The Defenders mini-series, were based on Marvel's Phase One theatrical model that culminated in Marvel's The Avengers.

"It was really based on the theatrical model of The Avengers. Could you take another group of characters, The Defenders, and go about it the same way? Normally they do the big movie and then eventually they get to the group origin story. Having 13 hours to tell each of these stories, you can go right to the origin story and the action at the same time."

Marvel's Daredevil, which is already in production, will be the first show to debut on Netflix, starring Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock/Daredevil. When asked to compare this series to the 2003 Daredevil movie adaptation starring Ben Affleck, Ted Sarandos revealed the show will be much darker than the original movie.

"The series will not be afraid to go darker than the film did. What we love about this particular set of heroes is that they're a little more down to Earth. Costume wise and also in that these are gritty crime stories, more in the streets than in the clouds."

When asked which show will follow Marvel's Daredevil, Ted Sarandos said that they are currently involved in casting Jessica Jones.

"Right now, the writers' rooms are open and they're looking at casting Jessica. If you sense some hesitation in my voice, that's classic Marvel fashion. They like to keep that veil of secrecy. But Daredevil is already shooting, since that's out first. Eventually the series will run very close together. You can then have a separate season where the characters will cross over."

Would you like to see these Netflix shows cross over into the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Are you excited for a darker Daredevil? Chime in with your thoughts below.