After Daredevil became the runaway hit TV show of the year, the Marvel/Netflix alliance appears strong. With further collaborative projects in development – Jessica Jones drawn from Brian Michael Bendis‘ phenomenal Alias, Iron Fist, and the superhero team-up Defenders – Luke Cage seems set as a key player in Marvel‘s cinematic universe.
Currently, we know the series will share Daredevil‘s setting on Hell’s Kitchen, the grimy crime-ridden underbelly of New York, and that the character Luke Cage will remain true to his comic based counterpart. Aside from that, we know very little about the show which will no doubt intertwine with its Netflix counterparts.
Today, HeroicHollywood has announced possible spoilers for the upcoming series. The announcement alleges that recently cast Oscar–9-winning actor, Alfre Woodard (12 Years a Slave, Star Trek: First Contact), will join Luke Cage (Mike Colter) as the hero’s ongoing nemesis, Black Mariah.
Official reports state Woodard will take the role of Minetta, a local politician who will have dramatic effect on Cage’s life. However, as we saw with Vincent D’Onofrio‘s Kingpin in Daredevil, politics and villainous intent often go hand in hand. HeroicHollywood goes on to state that a character named Diamondback, the alter ego of Willis Styker, a childhood friend of Cage who became involved with organised crime after both characters fought over a romantic interest.
The plot is reported to follow Cage and Stryker, from recruitment into a Hell’s Kitchen based gang to Stryker’s framing of Cage for a crime he did not commit, and the resulting violent fallout. Luke Cage is said to gain his abilities – enhanced strength and impervious skin – from medical experiments carried out on him whilst incarcerated.
The truth of this tale is yet to be seen. It seems a believably dark and violent narrative in line with Daredevil‘s brooding legacy, however we will have to wait for further confirmation. Jessica Jones will be available on Netflix later this year. Luke Cage and Daredevil season 2 will follow in 2016.
#Peace.Love.Heroes
1 comment