Two things: Why would Joss Whedon take his cancelled network show and pitch it to Universal as a movie, just so he could write a FU to his fans? An alternate

Two things: Why would Joss Whedon take his cancelled network show and pitch it to Universal as a movie, just so he could write a FU to his fans? An alternate take is that without the plot armor normally required by network shows or franchises, JW wrote the story he wanted. Secondly, regarding your final point, Disney has Hulu for mature properties (and the newly announced Star brand for international markets).