'Luke Cage' spoilers, casting news: Netflix begins superhero trend
Netflix has a new superhero series currently in the works. "Luke Cage" is a hero from the Marvel Universe. He is part of the superhero group known as The Defenders that reside in New York City. He is an ex-convict who battles crime in the desolate Hell's Kitchen.
The main plot of the brand-new series is similar to that of the comics. The synopsis for the show reads, Luke Cage is a former gang member who is framed for a crime. In prison, he volunteers for a medical experiment that goes awry, giving him super strength and bulletproof skin. Using his newfound powers, Cage escapes and becomes a hero for hire. His archenemy is Willy Stryker, a former childhood friend from Harlem. The two committed petty crimes together, and both fell for the same woman, Reva Connors, which led to their eventual falling out. It was Stryker who framed Cage for a drug deal that sent him to prison.
The forthcoming series is part of the expansion plan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe of Netflix that started with "Daredevil" and will soon be followed by "A.K.A Jessica Jones." And then after the series, there will be "Iron Fist," which will eventually lead to the beginning of "The Defenders."
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The series will be helmed by showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker who was also behind the hit shows "Southland," "Almost Human," and "Ray Donovan." He will be writing the episodes for the new show, and his experience as a television crime writer will serve him well.
The show boasts of an impressive cast. Mike Coulter will play the titular character, while Krysten Ritter will play Jessica Jones, another superhero character. Simone Missick will play Misty Knight, a former cop who becomes a superhero after losing an arm. Rosario Dawson will play Claire Temple, the Night Nurse who will spend time patching up the hero. She will be the person who ties up all the series together.
Veteran actress Alfre Woodard will play a villain in the upcoming series. She will be a corrupt politician who is said to be a version of the Black Mariah character. This will be a far cry from her usual roles. Mahershala Ali will play Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes, while Theo Rossi will play Shades. These two characters are villains from the comics.
Actor Frank Whaley has just joined the cast. He will play Detective Scarfe, a very tough and serious detective. The character of Reva Connors will be the love interest of Luke Cage, while Willy Striker, a.k.a. Diamondback, will be the main villain. However, there is no word on who will play these characters.
Luke Cage will premiere sometime next year.
