Last year, Marvel Studios announced that they would be teaming with Netflix to expand the Marvel Cinematic Universe with four shows featuring street-level heroes that would come together as The Defenders. The first one to hit the popular streaming service will be ‘Daredevil’ starring Charlie Cox, Rosario Dawson, and Vincent D’Onofrio, which premieres some time in 2015. But after that, Melissa Rosenberg will finally get her chance to tackle the hero formerly known as Jewel in ‘Jessica Jones.’ Now, we have an idea which actresses might be taking up the mantle of the former teen hero turned detective, as well as her (literally) hard-headed boyfriend.
According to Deadline, Marvel is looking for someone that falls into the 25-33 range for the role of the PTSD-suffering superhero and four actresses are currently on the shortlist: ‘Don’t Trust The B—- In Apartment 23’ star Krysten Ritter, Alexandra Daddario of the ‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians’ series, ‘I Am Number Four’ and ‘Warm Bodies’ star Teresa Palmer, and ‘Arrow’ alum Jessica De Gouw. All are very interesting choices, but Ritter definitely seems like the odd woman out. Despite her badass ‘Breaking Bad’ credit, she’s mostly known for her quirky comedic roles. If I had to pick from these four, I’d probably go with Palmer or De Gouw, who both can play a battle-damaged, yet battle-ready heroine pretty well.
The other character that has a few potential actors circling him is Luke Cage. Before appearing in his own Netflix series, he’ll be a supporting character in ‘Jessica Jones’ for six or seven episodes. Previously, Isaiah Mustafa of ‘Old Spice’ fame and Terry Crews have expressed interested in playing Power Man, but it looks like the House of Ideas is going in a different direction. Currently Lance Gross of ‘Crisis’ and Mike Colter of ‘The Following’ and ‘The Good Wife’ are the frontrunners to play the Hero for Hire.
With Jessica Jones and Luke Cage nearing the end of the casting stage, the last remaining Marvel/Netflix hero to be discussed is Danny Rand AKA Iron Fist. With any luck, we’ll get a few hints late next year to round out the Defenders roster, but until then what do you think about these possible choices for these two MCU newcomers? Were there any other actors or actresses that you had in mind for the roles? Share your thoughts in the comments below.