Next year, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Daredevil, Iron Fist, and others will team up as The Defenders! Here's everything we know.
It looks like Marvel's plan to team Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist (and possibly some members of their supporting casts) in The Defenders Netflix series have been accelerated, and we'll probably see it in 2017. The Defenders showrunners are Douglas Petrie and Marco Ramirez (Daredevil Season 2), with Drew Goddard (Daredevil Season 1, The Martian, Lost) returning as executive producer.
And the first hero who isn't yet a headliner to be confirmed for the series is none other than Simone Missick's Misty Knight.
“I believe I’m safe to say that I will be on The Defenders,” Simone Missick told The Wrap.
Misty is a huge highlight of Marvel's Luke Cage Netflix series, so having her in The Defenders should be treat.
“We're incredibly excited to be able to bring our four street level heroes together in an epic tale woven by Doug and Marco whose work on Marvel’s Daredevil speaks for itself,” said Executive Producer/Head of Marvel Television, Jeph Loeb in a statement when the showrunners were announced in April 2016. "They write and produce not only great action and adventure, but also the heart and touch of humor that's makes us Marvel. With the inclusion of Drew Goddard, we've got a team that's as formidable as the Defenders themselves."
“This is the big one. Four amazing casts, four amazing series, now all in one amazing story,” added showrunners and Executive Producers Douglas Petrie and Marco Ramirez. “We are thrilled at the opportunity to deliver the show that both we and the fans have been waiting for.”
The Defenders Trailer
Check out the first teaser, which makes it pretty clear what's up in terms of the team, plus a bonus voiceover from everyone's favorite asshole sensei, Stick:
Huge bonus points for appropriate use of a Nirvana song.
The Defenders Release Date
All we know is that it's coming in 2017, which is a lot sooner than we anticipated!
If The Defenders is indeed shooting this year, then it will probably delay DaredevilSeason 3 (which has just been confirmed) and Jessica Jones Season 2 (which is confirmed, but doesn't have a start date or a premiere window yet). Just for some perspective, Luke Cage will arrive on September 30th. Iron Fist is expected to begin production almost immediately after Luke Cage wraps, if not sooner. The Defenders would then be shooting in late Fall of 2016. There's virtually no chance that DaredevilSeason 3 or Jessica Jones Season 2 can fit in during this period.
The Defenders Cast
Charlie Cox will return as Matt Murdock/Daredevil, as will Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones, Finn Jones as Iron Fist, and Mike Colter as Luke Cage. Don't be surprised if some other characters we meet along the way join the party, like Jon Bernthal's Punisher. Expect supporting cast from each of their shows to at least make appearances, and that will likely include Elden Henson as Foggy Nelson.
The Defenders Story
The Defenders"will unite the Man Without Fear with Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist for the mini-series event bringing our heroes together to face their biggest threat yet." That's all we have right now in terms of story. Sorry.
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We'll update this with more information about The Defenders Netflix series as it becomes available.
A version of this article originally ran on April 11th. It has been updated with new information.