Marvel Television’s Jeph Loeb has opened up about why Marvel fans have not heard any significant news on the development of the Iron Fist Netflix series.
Iron Fist is the fourth and final member of The Defenders, which also consists of Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Daredevil. Daredevil debuted on Netflix last year to critical acclaim, was immediately renewed for a second season, which looks to debut major Marvel figures such as The Punisher and Elektra. There has even been talking of a Punisher mini-series.
Jessica Jones, meanwhile, debuted on Netflix on Friday, and the critics are responding just as favorably, if not more. Luke Cage’s production has been made very public, with major confirmations on who is shown running the first season, and what Mike Colter’s Cage might be up against.
Loeb, in an interview with Comic Book Resources, addressed the lack of Iron Fist news.
There was a lot of speculation about what was going on with ‘Iron Fist,’ because [fans] hadn’t heard anything about it, but there’s never been any change at all.”
While this may assuage some of the fears of Marvel fans, Loeb also states that we can expect some news soon about the series, and he also attempts to reaffirm some confidence that may have been shaken in the recent months due to several rumors about the Marvel Netflix projects.
The latest rumor states that Marvel did not know how to depict Iron Fist’s mysticism, and is scrapping the mini-series in favor of a made-for-Netflix film event that will close up any loose narrative holes. Then, The Punisher or Hellcat would take his place in The Defenders.
“We knew exactly what we were doing at Marvel and at Netflix. Let’s get [‘Jessica Jones’] out there, everybody knows that ‘Luke Cage’ is up and going. What I can say right now is we’re very excited about ‘Iron Fist.”
It makes sense that there will be some news about Iron Fist in the coming weeks, and for a few reasons. With the holidays fast approaching, some outlets may be taking some time off. Luke Cage is in production now, and Marvel typically staggers their principal production schedules for any shoots. Jessica Jones does offer several significant hints at how Iron Fist may appear in the series.
In addition, the schedule will be just as important as Netflix shows typically air the same time every year. While Luke Cage is supposedly going to hit Netflix around early 2016, and it looks like Daredevil season 2 will launch April-May 2016, Iron Fist may arrive sometime in July or August, meaning production will have to start early next year at the latest.
What do you think? When will Iron Fist air? Sound off in the comments below!
