Defenders, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Daredevil

I AM IRON FIST

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IRON FIST AND LUKE CAGE RETURN! Finn Jones and Mike Colter Spotted Filming Daredevil: Born Again Season 3

By

Omar Guerrero

Defenders, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Daredevil
Promotional image courtesy of Netflix and Marvel TV

The Immortal Iron Fist is officially back! On Friday, Finn Jones was spotted filming Daredevil: Born Again Season 3 in New York, marking the long-awaited return of Iron Fist to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Joining him is Mike Colter, reprising his role as Luke Cage.

With Charlie Cox’s Daredevil and Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones returning for another season of Daredevil: Born Again, the Defenders are reunited for the first time since the 2017 series that combined the might of New York’s finest.

For Iron Fist fans, this is the second chance we have all been waiting for.

X account user @WarlingHD shared the photos from Getty Images, which captured Jones and Colter on the set alongside Ritter. @jadames1775 also posted photos of himself together with many of the cast of Daredevil: Born Again Season 3.

Finn Jones Returns as Iron Fist the Living Weapon

Image courtesy of Netflix and Marvel TV

The return of Finn Jones as Iron Fist has been building for months. The actor had been teasing fans on his Instagram with photos of his workouts over the past few weeks, including one from just a few days ago.

From training updates in New York to public appearances, Jones has made it clear that he wants another shot at the role of Danny Rand.

At La Conve 63 in Monterrey, NL, Mexico last year, Jones addressed fans directly:

“It’s always possible,” Jones said. “Like I said, ‘I’m here. I’m ready.’ I think there is a willingness for the fans to see that happen. There’s a lot of willingness for the fans to see that not happen as well. I’m very aware of the critiques of the character and my role in it. But my response to that is, ‘Give me a f****ing chance, man. I’m here and I’m ready and I want to prove people wrong.’ And so, yeah, I would love to see that happen.”

Jones wanted a redemption story for both himself and Iron Fist, and many fans have been eager to see him get his wish granted. After today’s Daredevil: Born Again Season 3 reveal, it appears that both Jones and the fans can rejoice, knowing that the Living Weapon is back in action. Marvel now has the opportunity to reintroduce Iron Fist and show fans how truly iconic the character is.

Luke Cage and Iron Fist Reunite in the MCU

The return of Mike Colter is also important, not only for Luke Cage as a solo character, but also for the potential stories Marvel can tell from his longstanding comic-book partnership with Iron Fist.

In Marvel Comics, Iron Fist and Luke Cage are one of the most celebrated duos in street-level storytelling as the Heroes for Hire. Their decades-long friendship will reach legendary status in 2028, when the Power Man and Iron Fist series marks its 50th anniversary.

A Heroes for Hire series may well be in the works for Iron Fist and Luke Cage eventually, and that’s only going to make this duo more popular than ever.

Moreover, bringing both characters into Daredevil: Born Again signals that Marvel is rebuilding its street-level corner of the MCU, with Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage at the center.

The Defenders Are Back!

Defenders, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Daredevil
Promotional image courtesy of Netflix and Marvel TV

With the aforementioned four all appearing in the set photos, Marvel is effectively reviving The Defenders. There’s a strong possibility that these heroes are not only returning to the small screen to assist in the fight against evil in Hell’s Kitchen, but may also be there to take down Daredevil, who could end up on the dark side by the end of Born Again Season 2.

Daredevil: Born Again and the Shadowland Theory

Defenders, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Daredevil, Shadowland
Image courtesy of Marvel Comics

If Daredevil: Born Again continues to push Matt Murdock to his limits, there’s a good chance the series is building toward Shadowland. My theory is that Marvel Studios isn’t filming Daredevil: Born Again Season 3, which I think is just a placeholder for its actual series title— Defenders: Shadowland. Daredevil: Born Again will always be a Daredevil show, which is a problem if you want DD to share the spotlight with the other Defenders characters. It will always be a Daredevil show if they don’t rename it.

In Marvel Comics’ Shadowland, Daredevil takes control of the Hand and begins enforcing a darker version of justice. It’s one of the most intense arcs in the character’s history, told in Shadowland #1–5 (2010), plus multiple tie-ins.

The Avengers won’t be around to stop him, but the Defenders are. And this is where Iron Fist becomes essential.

Why Iron Fist Could Be the Key to Saving Daredevil

The Hand is not just a criminal organization. It’s a mystical force tied to dark energy and corruption. Few heroes in Marvel have the experience to deal with that.

Iron Fist does. With the first season of Iron Fist declaring to one and all that he is the “sworn enemy of the Hand,” the stage may be set for the protector and champion of K’un-Lun to live up to his billing.

If Daredevil does take control of the Hand and is overtaken by evil, Iron Fist is uniquely equipped to understand and combat the supernatural elements behind the Man Without Fear’s potential fall from grace. Jones’ character could play a critical role, not just as support, but as the one who helps bring Matt Murdock back from the edge.

The Future of Iron Fist and His Lore in Live-Action

Image courtesy of Netflix and Marvel TV

Two other characters in the Iron Fist mythos have not been confirmed to return to the MCU—Jessica Henwick’s Colleen Wing and Simone Missick’s Misty Knight. But with the return of Finn Jones to his titular role, it may only be a matter of time before these two are also seen on the set of Daredevil: Born Again Season 3, and it’s likely they will be seen together as another famous comic-book duo.

The Daughters of the Dragon!

Fans have been clamoring for a Daughters of the Dragon series since the two characters were announced to appear in live-action. Daredevil: Born Again Season 3 could be the series that spins them off into a new show. Henwick, in particular, is crucial to an Iron Fist series. Last time we saw Colleen Wing, she was protecting the streets of New York as a sword-wielding Iron Fist, with Jones’ Danny Rand also seemingly an Iron Fist himself in the end credits.

Jones’ Iron Fist has divided fans after a lackluster Season 1 on Netflix. Despite a much-improved production in Season 2—though not necessarily a better portrayal of Danny Rand—many fans had already tuned out without giving the show and the actor another chance.

This time, Marvel Studios needs to give Iron Fist fans a portrayal that reflects his discipline and determination from the comics. Enough with the whiny, petulant, and overly emotional (not to mention the Defenders’ “thundering dumbass,” according to Stick) man-child we’ve seen. Danny Rand is a master martial artist, and he should be portrayed in live-action as someone who truly deserves the mantle of the Iron Fist.

And for Pete’s sake, give the man a costume!

We want Marvel to stop giving us a grounded version of Iron Fist and to start delving into the mystical side of the character. Iron Fist has always had his feet in both the mystical and the street-level side of the Marvel Universe. The MCU has to embrace his full identity and not focus on one or the other only.

Also, let’s not forget, folks. We need to see Jones don the Iron Fist costume. Seeing Finn suited up would drive fans nuts and breathe new life into Jones’ version of the character.

And if there is going to be an Iron Fist series eventually, we want to see an adaptation of The Immortal Iron Fist run by Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, David Aja, Matt Hollingsworth, and company. If done properly, Iron Fist could regain popularity among MCU audiences and comic book fans alike.

Art by David Aja; Image courtesy of Marvel Comics

Final Take

Given Friday’s massive surprise, fans took to social media to express their excitement, making this one of the most well-received Marvel news stories in quite some time.

Congratulations to Finn Jones and Mike Colter, and to the fans who have stayed loyal and kept the faith.

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