Marvel and Netflix have now set three cast-members for their superhero team, THE DEFENDERS. After Charlie Cox in DAREDEVIL and the recently cast Krysten Ritter in AKA JESSICA JONES, the streaming service have now found their Power Man. Mike Colter, previously rumored as a frontrunner for the role of Luke Cage, has been offered the part.
Colter is primarily known for his work on HALO: NIGHTFALL as well as series THE FOLLOWING, AMERICAN HORROR STORY, and big screen parts in MEN IN BLACK 3 and SALT. Colter will first portray Cage on AKA JESSICA JONES before headlining his own Luke Cage series after that. AKA JESSICA JONES will follow Ritter as a former superhero who has quit and now works as a private investigator who also is dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder. She will encounter Luke Cage during the course of an investigation in New York.
I really like how Netflix is building their series in the same manner as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. There definitely seems to be more of a gritty and realistic tone to these three series so far which I expect will also apply once the Iron Fist series gets moving along. I am a bit disappointed they didn’t go with Terry Crews for Luke Cage, but I will reserve judgement till I see Colter in action.
AKA JESSICA JONES will debut sometime in 2015. The Luke Cage series has no release date yet.