The Luke Cage casting news continues today, and this time it’s straight from the horse’s mouth, as Marvel has officially announced that Mahershala Ali (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2 and Netflix’s House of Cards) has joined the cast of the Netflix TV series as Cornell Stokes, AKA Cottonmouth.
We first reported on a rumor that this villain would be popping up last month, and along with this confirmation, we also have some details on the role he’ll play. Apparently, this incarnation of Cottonmouth will be a Harlem nightclub owner who becomes an unexpected foe of Cage’s (Mike Colter) when his “criminal activities threaten his world.”
The show’s executive producer Jeoh Loeb also had the following to say in a statement:
“Mahershala is an actor of extraordinary range and gravitas. As Cottonmouth he will really let loose. Luke Cage won’t know what hit him.”
Luke Cage will also star Simone Missik as Misty Knight, Alfre Woodard as Black Mariah, Theo Rossi as Shades and Rosario Dawson as Claire Temple. There’s currently no director or premiere date set, but Cheo Hodari Coker (Southland, Ray Donovan) will serve as showrunner.
