Iron Fist (Marvel/Netflix)

[Skywalker]

While Marvel/Netflix's fourth show is still early in the pre-production phase, I thought it might be a good idea to finally start up a thread for it because we now have official casting news.

Finn Jones (Game of Thrones' Loras Tyrell) has been cast to play Danny Rand/Iron Fist.

I was kind of hoping that they would go with an Asian American actor for the role, but at the same time I understand why they chose not to do so. Regardless, I'm excited that we finally have an Iron Fist. Finn Jones has done pretty well on GoT and I think he looks the part.

 

[Turtletrekker]

We also know that Carrie-Ann Moss will be reprising the character of Jeryn Hogarth from Jessica Jones in Iron Fist, and that we will see Rosario Dawson's Claire Temple as well.

The Hogarth character was originally an Iron Fist supporting player anyway, so her inclusion makes sense (although they gender-swapped the character for the show).

Candidates to play Coleen Wing?

 

[Christopher]

I was kind of hoping that they would go with an Asian American actor for the role, but at the same time I understand why they chose not to do so.

I have mixed feelings on that. The argument in favor of an Asian-American actor is that it's a problematical cliche to have a white hero appropriating Asian culture; the argument against is that having Marvel's first Asian lead be a martial artist would be perpetuating a stereotype. It's prickly either way. I guess at this point it comes down to how well the writing handles it.

 

[Turtletrekker]

And it's not as if Marvel doesn't have martial arts that are actually Asian. I would love to see a Shang-Chi series. They probably couldn't establish that his father was Fu-Manchu, but that's an easy fix as we've already seen in the comics.

 

[Skywalker]

I have mixed feelings on that. The argument in favor of an Asian-American actor is that it's a problematical cliche to have a white hero appropriating Asian culture; the argument against is that having Marvel's first Asian lead be a martial artist would be perpetuating a stereotype. It's prickly either way. I guess at this point it comes down to how well the writing handles it.

Which is why I understand why they chose to keep him white.

I'm hoping that Jones will make an appearance in Luke Cage before starting his own series, but Luke Cage started filming back in September and is probably pretty close to wrapping, so that would make it less likely. On the other hand, Mike Colter has known about Iron Fist's casting for at least a month, so maybe Jones might make a small appearance after all. If not, I hope Colter at least guests on Iron Fist so they can start building the friendship between Luke and Danny.

 

[Christopher]

Which is why I understand why they chose to keep him white.

Well, it's not like white is the only non-Asian ethnicity they could've gone with...

 

[Skywalker]

Well, it's not like white is the only non-Asian ethnicity they could've gone with...

Yeah, but in retrospect I think keeping him white is better for his relationship/dynamic with Luke Cage. Someone else made a comment on another website about this issue and I agree with what they said: Luke and Danny are on completely opposite ends of the societal, class, and economic spectrum; Luke is a black man who was falsely imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit and Danny is a white man who's the owner of a multibillion dollar company; but despite all of that they're the best of friends. I don't think it would have quite the same impact if Danny were Hispanic or Indian, for example, because while there are certainly plenty of minorities who own multibillion dollar companies, there isn't the same uncomfortable history there that should (and hopefully will be) called on and dealt with.

I wonder if they intend to have Luke Cage and Iron Fist both get future seasons or if they'll team the two up in a separate Heroes for Hire show somewhere down the line.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

How dare they have an Asian play such a stereotype?
How dare they have a white guy appropriate Asian culture?

 

[Captaindemotion]

So clearly either the rumours about Ryan Philippe were untrue or else they simply couldn't work out a contract with him. I'm inclined to go with the latter, as Jones does strike me as a little in the same vein as Philippe.

I don't know an awful lot about the character beyond the obvious. Does anyone know if Jones has a background in martial arts? Not that it'd be strictly necessary, obviously but I imagine it would help. I've only seen him in GOT and his character was pretty adept in combat there albeit GOT viewers will be aware of his other, em, peccadilloes and foibles. I wonder what this means for Ser Loras' future in the show?

Spoiler: Spoilers for the Song of Ice & Fire books & GOT series

IIRC, the character is already dead in the books but is still alive, albeit in prison, way past the equivalent stage in the tv show

Interesting that he's the second Brit to snag the lead in a Marvel Netflix show.

 

[JoeZhang]

I have mixed feelings on that. The argument in favor of an Asian-American actor is that it's a problematical cliche to have a white hero appropriating Asian culture; the argument against is that having Marvel's first Asian lead be a martial artist would be perpetuating a stereotype. It's prickly either way. I guess at this point it comes down to how well the writing handles it.

I agree with that to an extent but I think the wider content makes it more problematical - Marvel have three parallel productions that feature aspects of Orientalism and the white saviour - Daredevil (minor in first season but clearly being set up for second or third), Dr. Strange and now this.

 

[theenglish]

I'm glad this production is moving forward. Iron Fist was the first comic I ever purchased and the character has always had a fond place in my heart.

 

[Christopher]

Yeah, but in retrospect I think keeping him white is better for his relationship/dynamic with Luke Cage. Someone else made a comment on another website about this issue and I agree with what they said: Luke and Danny are on completely opposite ends of the societal, class, and economic spectrum; Luke is a black man who was falsely imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit and Danny is a white man who's the owner of a multibillion dollar company; but despite all of that they're the best of friends. I don't think it would have quite the same impact if Danny were Hispanic or Indian, for example, because while there are certainly plenty of minorities who own multibillion dollar companies, there isn't the same uncomfortable history there that should (and hopefully will be) called on and dealt with.

That's an excellent point. Hopefully the show won't shy away from exploring the racial and cultural issues like that.

I wonder if they intend to have Luke Cage and Iron Fist both get future seasons or if they'll team the two up in a separate Heroes for Hire show somewhere down the line.

That'd be cool. Although I'd also like to see a Daughters of the Dragon show (Misty Knight & Colleen Wing) to complement it.

Does anyone know if Jones has a background in martial arts? Not that it'd be strictly necessary, obviously but I imagine it would help.

I have no doubt he's already begun extensive stunt training for the role. I'm sure most of the cast of The Matrix didn't come from martial-arts backgrounds beforehand, but once they were cast, they trained relentlessly to learn the necessary skills. Same with plenty of other action movies and shows.

Interesting that he's the second Brit to snag the lead in a Marvel Netflix show.

There are tons of British and Australian actors headlining American shows these days. Let's see, there's Eliza Taylor on The 100, Rose McIver on iZombie, her former Power Rangers RPM co-star Adelaide Kane on Reign, Alex O'Loughlin on Hawaii Five-O, Sullivan Stapleton and Marianne Jean-Baptiste on Blindspot, and quite a few others. (Or other nationalities, e.g. the South African Sharlto Copley in Powers.) And that's just in current shows. So I'm not surprised.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

^ And half the cast of The Walking Dead or more

 

[tenmei]

The lead in Scorpion, both leads (and the counselor) in Recovery Road, Arthur Darvill in Legends of Tomorrow, Clive Owen in The Knick, the lead in Second Chance, Ichabod in Sleepy Hollow, Tom Ellis in Lucifer, Sean Pertwee on Gotham - and that's just the ones I can name off the top of my head.

 

[JD]

I'm not real familiar with Iron Fist, but none of the cast members have disappointed me, so I'm pretty sure Jones will be good in the role.
As for the whole racial debate, I thought part of his story was about him an outsider in K'un L'un, so by making him a different race from the rest of K'un L'un I think that is magnified a bit. Now, that doesn't mean he has to be white, but I do think it is at least a good reason not to make him asian.

 

[JoeZhang]

I'm not real familiar with Iron Fist, but none of the cast members have disappointed me, so I'm pretty sure Jones will be good in the role.
As for the whole racial debate, I thought part of his story was about him an outsider in K'un L'un, so by making him a different race from the rest of K'un L'un I think that is magnified a bit. Now, that doesn't mean he has to be white, but I do think it is at least a good reason not to make him asian.

My fair lady is about an outsider - and everyone is white.

 

[JD]

Of course. I'm not saying you can't tell that kind of story with a cast that is all the same race, but making the lead a different race is a good way to make that outsiderness more obvious from the outset.

 

[Christopher]

The lead in Scorpion, both leads (and the counselor) in Recovery Road, Arthur Darvill in Legends of Tomorrow, Clive Owen in The Knick, the lead in Second Chance, Ichabod in Sleepy Hollow, Tom Ellis in Lucifer, Sean Pertwee on Gotham - and that's just the ones I can name off the top of my head.

Those are just the English actors using English accents (at least, the ones I recognized all are). The majority of English and Australian actors in American TV are playing Americans. In addition to the ones I mentioned in current shows, there are earlier examples like Hugh Laurie in House, Anthony LaPaglia and Marianne Jean-Baptiste (again) in Without a Trace, Joseph Fiennes and Sonya Walger in FlashForward, Poppy Montgomery in Unforgettable, Anna Torv and John Noble in Fringe, Gugu Mbatha-Raw in Undercovers, and so very many others.

 

[Skywalker]

Elyes Gabel (Scorpion) and Clive Owen (The Knick) both play Americans and use American accents. I think Rob Kazinsky used an American accent in Second Chance, too, but I already can't remember.

 

[STEPhon IT]

How awesome it could've been if Tony Jaa was cast as Iron Fist, and allow him to perform his own stunts?
Not sure what Marvel is embarrassed by the name Power Man? Luke Cage is a hero and although his Wonder Woman tiara and bracelets were lame; I think making the progressive alterations to him was good but I think his title should stay.
As for Iron Fist, I hope the character wears a costume. And I want to some awesome Kung Fu action every week.