With ‘Daredevil: Born Again‘ still reestablishing the MCU’s street-level presence, a single character keeps appearing in fan discourse: Luke Cage. Now that Jessica Jones is officially coming back in season two, the question no longer seems like wishful thinking but rather a given. Is Harlem’s bulletproof hero next?
The reintroduction of Daredevil not only introduced Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio. It has been established that the entire Netflix-era saga, previously believed to be in the gray area of canon, is now firmly within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That one decision opened doors that many people thought had been closed forever.
Is Marvel Secretly Preparing The Luke Cage Revival?
Mike Colter had long denied the possibility of reprising Luke Cage. When the Netflix series was terminated, he admitted that he wanted to move on creatively. Similar to most actors who are associated with a long-running franchise, Colter did not want to be identified with a single role, however popular it was. But time will have its way of changing the point of view. Colter has admitted in recent interviews that his emotions have changed.
Related: Marvel’s Latest Thor Movie Sets The Stage For A Dark ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Arc
He has verified that he has discussed the character and that Luke Cage might still have unfinished business. “Listen, I will say this: I’ve had conversations,” the actor stated. “I would tell people no, because I actually was like, when it wrapped, ‘I love playing Luke Cage, but I also just love acting. I love doing different things,” he revealed on Shawn Stockman’s show. That shift matters. Actors do not tease returns casually unless there is smoke behind the scenes.
Colter has also remained in touch with Luke Cage’s origins, maintaining contact with the show’s creator, Cheo Hodari Coker. More importantly, he has evidently been listening to what Marvel is up to. “Daredevil’s back. Jessica’s back. We’re in a better position to see this come into fruition faster than we think,” he explained.
When Colter said that a comeback might come sooner than we imagine, it did not sound like nostalgia speaking. It sounded like someone who knows the wheels are already turning.
Why ‘Born Again’ Is Perfect For His Comeback
Storytelling-wise, ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ is the right place to reintroduce Luke Cage. The show is firmly entrenched in the street-level crime, gray morality, and the human price of vigilantism, all of which characterized Luke’s experience in Harlem.
As Wilson Fisk returns and the underworld of New York is in a state of transition, a character such as Luke Cage is needed. He represents a different kind of power than Matt Murdock: visible, unbreakable, and openly defiant.
In case you missed it: Marvel Unites Two Of Its Most Powerful Villains For The First Time Ever
Where Daredevil is hiding in the shadows, Luke stands in the daylight. To add more fuel to the speculation, Finn Jones, who plays Iron Fist, was also spotted in New York during the season two filming period. Although coincidence can always happen, when it’s Marvel, anything can be possible.
Nothing has been officially confirmed, and Marvel is, as usual, silent. However, the indications are difficult to disregard. ‘Born Again’ is gradually putting the Defenders ecosystem back together, and Luke Cage is a missing component that fans have never ceased to demand.
