It’s the casting news we’ve all been waiting for – Marvel’s upcoming Netflix series has found its Luke Cage… and it’s Mike Colter who has nabbed the role of Power Man.
In an official press release, Marvel revealed that the 38-year-old actor has landed the role of Luke Cage in the upcoming superhero TV show, A.K.A. Jessica Jones.
“Marvel and Netflix are proud to announce that Mike Colter will star as Luke Cage in ‘Marvel’s A.K.A. Jessica Jones’,” they revealed, “an all-new 13-episode series premiering on Netflix in 2015.”
Although Colter isn’t exactly a household name, he’s become renowned for his performance as Agent Locke in the Halo video game series… and now he’ll be bringing one of Marvel’s coolest heroes to Netflix as he suits up as Luke Cage, aka Power Man.
After a stint in Seagate Prison, Luke Cage is imbued with superhuman powers during an experimental process that goes awry… and is also granted incredible resistance to injury as well as cellular regeneration. And after breaking out of jail and becoming a Hero for Hire, Cage eventually hooks up with a group of heroes known as The Defenders.
It’s this group that Marvel is focussing on bringing to Netflix… and with Colter leading the charge, I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
“Fans have longed to see Luke Cage and in Mike we’ve found the perfect actor,” said the head of Marvel Television, Jeph Loeb. “Viewers will get to meet Luke Cage in ‘Marvel’s A.K.A. Jessica Jones,’ and experience why he is such an important super hero in the Marvel mythos.”
Of course, Colter has already been rumoured for the role for some time…
After speculation that Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Terry Crews was up for the role, fans were shocked to see the former American Football player take to WhoSay and congratulate Colter on landing the role…
“Congratulations to my man, Mike Colter for being cast as LUKE CAGE!” he said. “A brilliant actor for one of my favourite superheroes ever! Love him!”
It may have been a tad premature, but it looks as though Crews was spot on… and I can’t help thinking that Colter will me a truly brilliant Luke Cage.
“Mike embodies the strength, edge and depth of Luke Cage,” said Executive Producer Melissa Rosenberg. “We’re excited to have him bring this iconic Marvel character to life.”
But with Daredevil, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage already cast, one big question remains – who will join them as Iron Fist? For now, we’ll have to wait and see.
What do you think of Mike Colter as Luke Cage? Who will join him as Iron Fist? Let us know what you think in the comments below…