Marvel’s “Iron Fist” Packs A Punch

Netflix and Marvel’s partnership has been knocking it out of the park. Beginning with Daredevil, and continuing with Jessica Jones and then Luke Cage. Each series introducing us to the characters, building up to the upcoming mini-series, The Defenders. But before we get to that team up, we’re going to meet the final player in the game, Iron Fist.

Iron Fist, real name Danny Rand, made his debut in comics in Marvel Premiere #15 in 1974. A practitioner of the martial arts, and wielder of the mystical force known as The Iron Fist. He has had his own title over the years, and teamed up with Luke Cage in a series where the two were heroes for hire.

In animation, he’s appeared in episodes of The Super Hero Squad Show, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, Ultimate Spider-Man, and LEGO Marvel Super Heroes: Maximum Overload. Now, Danny Rand is getting the live action treatment.

Finn Jones plays Danny Rand. As the trailer shows, as a young boy, he was the lone survivor of a plane crash which took the lives of his parents. He was taken to the land of K’un-Lun, and taught the ways of the monks that live there. Now, Danny has returned to New York and the business that his father built to reclaim his birthright. Jones has said in interviews that Danny Rand is someone struggling to find his identity, a hero with heart but with spiritual elements as well.

The rest of the cast includes Jessica Henwick as Colleen Wing, a martial arts instructor who becomes an ally of Rand. David Wenham as Harold Meachum, a ruthless corporate leader, who was a business partner of Rand’s parents and now runs the business. Jessica Stroup as Joy Meachum, Danny’s childhood friend and Meachum’s daughter. Tom Pelphrey as Ward Meachum, Joy’s brother.

There are also some returning favorites as well. Carrie-Anne Moss reprises her role from Jessica Jones as Jeri Hogarth, who helps Rand when he returns to New York. Wai Ching Ho returns as Madam Gao. During Daredevil’s first season, she ran a heroin trade in Hell’s Kitchen, with the heroin being sold in small packs with the dragon similar to Iron Fist’s dragon tattoo stamped on them, there has also been speculation that Gao is in reality Mother Crane, who, in the comics, was ruler of K’un-Lun, perhaps we’ll learn more of Gao during the series. Finally, Rosario Dawson returns as Claire Temple, who meets Rand as she’s learning martial arts at Colleen Wing’s dojo.

If the trailer is any indication, we’re in for another fun ride. Check the trailer out, and enjoy. Then get ready for the series to debut on Netflix, all 13 episodes, on March 17, 2017. Next stop, The Defenders.

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Gary DaBaum

Gary DaBaum, SCIFI.radio DJ, writer, and all around nice guy, can be heard on SCIFI.radio. When not on the air, he can be found in the virtual world of Second Life, or spoiling his grand nephew.