Luke Cagenow has the perfect way to return to theMarvel Cinematic Universe, all thanks toDaredevil: Born Again. Mike Colter played Luke Cage for two seasons of his Netflix series,The Defenderscrossover, and two seasons ofJessica Jones. When all ofMarvel’s The Defenders Saga showswere canceled, the actor’s future as Luke Cage was cut short. However,Marvel Studios has since brought back multiple stars from the Netflix shows, including Charlie Cox’s Daredevil, Jon Bernthal’s Punisher, Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin, and other important players from Netflix’sDaredevil.
So far,Daredevil: Born Again’s castdoes not include any of the other Defenders who joined Matt Murdock on the Netflix team-up series. Those are Colter’s Luke Cage, Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones, and Finn Jones' Iron Fist. However, it does seem like the Defenders could be coming back sooner rather than later. Marvel Studios' Head of Streaming, Brad Winderbaum, recently talked about thechances ofDaredevil: Born Againleading to a return of the Defenders, saying, “All those variables taken into account… we are very much exploring.“Of the three remaining Defenders, Luke Cage has the best reason to return.
Wilson Fisk’s Plans As Mayor Could Bring Back The Defenders
Daredevil: Born Again Has Teased A Dark Future
Daredevil: Born Again’s first two episodesset up Wilson Fisk’s story nicely. It did not take long at all for Kingpin to become New York City’s new mayor. After he was elected, Fisk addressed the city and made his intentions clear. In a speech where he referenced street-level heroes like Daredevil, Spider-Man, and the Punisher,Fisk claimed that vigilantes are like cancers to society. Based on his speech and talk with Cox’s Matt Murdock at the diner, it seems pretty clear that he plans to go after vigilantes now that he is mayor.
Daredevil: Born Again Episodes 1 & 2 Recap & Ending Explained
Daredevil: Born Again’s first two episodes pave the way for a fresh start for Matt Murdock while honoring Netflix’s Daredevil amid a major tragedy.
That clash is perfect to lead to the return of the other Defenders, who could team up with Daredevil against Fisk.That storyline is rooted in the Marvel Comics event “Devil’s Reign.“The story has long been rumored to be where the MCU is headed with its street-level side, withSpider-Man 4being said to be the perfect movie to bring it all to a head. Whether Fisk’s mayoral stint has any impact on the MCU’s movie side remains to be seen, but a small-screen adaptation of “Devil’s Reign” emerges as the ideal way to bring back Luke Cage.
Luke Cage’s MCU Return Could Put Him On Fisk’s Way
They Have A Major Comic Book Connection
The reason Luke Cage’s MCU return became more likely after Fisk was elected New York City’s mayor and claimed vigilantes are cancers is becauseLuke is the one to take over as mayor from Kingpin in the “Devil’s Reign” comic book event. When Fisk was sent to prison at the end of the event, Luke Cage, the other candidate on the ballot, was elected the mayor of New York City. With the MCU now following the comics for Kingpin’s story, Luke Cage’s return is looking increasingly likely, as he could be the different kind of weapon Daredevil needs.
Mike Colter last appeared as the Marvel hero in theLuke Cageseason 2 finale. That episode ended withCage becoming the new boss of Harlem’s Paradise. It was an exciting move for the show, as Luke grew tired of fighting corruption and crime from the outside and decided to regulate what was going on in his neighborhood from the inside. Luke seemingly turned into a crime boss when he last appeared, and that could give him the leeway to go after Fisk that other heroes, such as Daredevil, will not have inDaredevil: Born Again.
When Luke Cage Could Return To The MCU
Daredevil: Born Again Is A Multi-Season Series
If Wilson Fisk were to serve his full term as mayor, that would mean four years of him exerting his influence over NYC. With Winderbaum claiming the Defenders are being considered forDaredevil: Born Again, Luke Cage could return in a smaller role that could then grow over the seasons.Daredevil: Born Againhas already been renewed for season 2, with Krysten Ritter sharing multiple teases that Jessica Jones could be back for the new season. Luke Cage’s return could then be saved for season 3, allowing a Defender to be spotlighted every season.
Luke could go back to his hero ways through the mayor role.
Luke Cage could spend seasons 3 and 4 going from the crime boss operating out of Harlem’s Paradise to a hero once again who decides to run against Fisk for mayor. This wouldallow the MCU series to parallel Fisk’s own story, as Kingpin is not a character who can really change for the better like he claimed to Matt Murdock during their diner conversation, whereas Luke could go back to his hero ways through the mayor role. HavingLuke Cagestop Fisk from being re-elected and serving as New York City’s new mayor would be perfect for the MCU.
