Casting rumors and the Marvel Cinematic Universe almost go hand in hand at this stage in the game, and three weeks ago, we brought you the news that Finn Jones was all but locked to step into the shoes of Danny Rand for Netflix’s Iron Fist.
Fast forward to today and we now have official confirmation that the Game of Thrones star will headline the series, the fourth serialized pillar to Marvel’s Defenders universe.
Word comes by way of Variety, revealing that Jones’ will indeed descend on Hell’s Kitchen, equipped with his trusty kung-fu skills. Billed as a “very complicated character,” Iron Fist showrunner Scott Buck outlined the spiritual nature of Netflix’s latest costumed hero, and just why Finn Jones fits the bill as Danny Rand.
“Danny Rand is a very complicated character. He’s a billionaire New York Buddhist monk martial arts superhero who’s still trying to figure out what exactly that all means. Finn is able to play all these levels in such an honest, revelatory way that as soon as I saw him I knew he was our Danny.”
Also heaping praise on Jones was Head of Marvel TV, Jeph Loeb:
“Finn wonderfully blends confidence with vulnerability, making him the perfect choice as he struggles to find his place in the world. Now that we’ve found our Danny Rand, we’ve completed our principal cast for the upcoming ‘Defenders’ on Netflix and we are thrilled to continue to show audiences unexplored corners of the Marvel Universe.”
Next up in the MCU’s TV realm we have Daredevil season 2, followed swiftly by Luke Cage on September 30. If the Man Without Fear and Mike Colter’s Hero for Hire are poised to dominate 2016, expect Finn Jones’ to make his standalone debut at some point next year, when Iron Fist will be flanked by Jessica Jones season 2.