After multiple Marvel series were moved from Netflix to Disney+ last March, the streaming service has removed tributes to the late actor Reg E. Cathey (Fantastic Four) in Luke Cage that was featured in the show’s season two finale as well as the late Marvel creator Stan Lee in the season two finale of The Punisher, according to ComicBook.com. Cathey had played Cage’s father, James Lucas, in Luke Cage but passed away from lung cancer before their second season released in 2018.
Luke Cage’s showrunner, Cheo Hodari Coker (Almost Human), expressed his displeasure at Disney+ over the removal of the tributes on Twitter:
It is unclear as to why the tributes were removed. The second season of the show was Cathey’s last acting role. Season two of The Punisher was released two months after Lee’s death, caused by heart failure. However, Jessica Jones, another Marvel series that moved from Netflix to Disney+, has a tribute to Stan Lee at the end of its third season that still is featured on the show.
The full list of Marvel series that made the switch last month also includes Daredevil, Iron Fist, The Defenders, and Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Cathey had appeared in many notable films and shows throughout his career spanning over 30 years, including Fantastic Four, The Mask, Tank Girl, S.W.A.T., House Of Cards, The Wire, and many more.
Lee founded Marvel Comics in 1961, which led to the creation of the films and TV shows based off the characters from Lee’s comics including Spider-Man, Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, and more.