This Planned John Hughes-Style Marvel Movie Became a Forgotten TV Show

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Marvel’s “The Runaways,” created by Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona, debuted in 2003 and is set in the Marvel Universe’s version of Los Angeles. Six teenage friends discover that their parents are a cabal of super-villains called the Pride, so they go on the run together. Vaughan cited Joss Whedon as “the only reason why [he] became a writer”, and “Runaways” is him doing his version of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” – adolescents confronted with fantastical problems as metaphors for mundane challenges to grow up.

The original series is absolutely one of the best and newest Marvel comics of the 2000s, catering to new, young readers when most Marvel comics weren’t. It is therefore not surprising that Marvel Studios was talking about turning “Runaways” into a film.

Vaughan was initially hired to write the script himself in 2008. Afterwards, Marvel quickly established a writing program overseen by executives Nate Moore and Jodi Hildebrand. According to the book “The History of Marvel Studios”, the duo hired British writer Drew Pearce, impressed by their superhero sitcom “No Heroics,” to write “Runaways.” Peter Sollet, director of the romantic comedy “Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist”, was also in talks to direct “Runaways” around this time.

Hildebrand and Moore’s vision for “Runaways” was a “John Hughes-style comedy,” which makes sense. The comic is about misfit kids learning to be friends in a bad situation, a la “The Breakfast Club.”

But “Runaways” was shelved in 2010 because Marvel Studios had too many projects on the back burner. When “The Avengers” became a smash hit in 2012, Marvel prioritized films related to that while sidelining the relatively unheard “Runaways.” This left room for Marvel’s TV division to adapt “Runaways” instead.

The stars finally aligned for Runaways in 2016. Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (co-creators of “Gossip Girl”), fans of the “Runaways” comic strip, had signed a deal with ABC, then an affiliate of Marvel Television, overseen by Jeph Loeb. Schwartz & Savage met with Marvel Television and said they wanted to do “Runaways.” In 2017, the first season debuted on Hulu.

“Runaways” ran for three seasons, going largely unnoticed before ending in 2019. “Runaways” was later completely removed from Hulu in 2023 (it is currently available to stream for free on The CW website). Between that and Marvel Television’s consolidation into Marvel Studios, don’t hold your breath for a fourth “Runaways” season on Disney+.

The Runaways’ time on television may not be completely over. A reimagined version of the witch and leader of the Runaways, Nico Minoru. (played by Lyrica Okano in the Hulu series) appeared in the new animated series “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man”. This Nico (voiced by Grace Song) is Peter Parker’s (Hudson Thames) goth best friend who keeps her magical skills a secret. Time will tell if any of Nico’s fellow Runaways will appear in this series.

Speaking of Spider-Man, even though “Runaways” isn’t a movie yet, Marvel has yet to make its John Hughes movie with 2017’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios specifically invoked Hughes as the main influence on “Homecoming” before its release. While the “Spider-Man” sequels broadened the scope, “Homecoming” keeps Peter (Tom Holland) focused on high school, like when he has to leave his school dance date with Liz (Laura Harrier) to stop the Vulture (Michael Keaton).

The Runaways stumbled upon arriving on screen, but their original comic adventures remain Marvel must-reads.