What happens when Netflix has four separate successful shows based on superheroes? Well, more accurately, three great shows about superheroes and one pretty terrible one about a superhero. But he lives in the same city as the others, and a three-superhero team just doesn’t sound as good as four, especially considering two of them have hooked up in the past, so you get the idea. Well, they team them up and make the show “The Defenders,” that’s what happens! And then they add Sigourney Weaver, too.
Of course, as many know, the plan for the superheroes to team up was in the works well before any of the stand-alone superhero series were created. And finally, it’s a-coming. The eight-episode series premieres on August 18th.
So, Krysten Ritter (Jessica Jones), Charlie Cox (Daredevil), Finn Jones (Iron Fist), and Mike Colter (Luke Cage) all return for the series in their original roles, and it will also star… Sigourney Weaver? Showrunner Marco Ramirez was tight-lipped when asked by EW, opting to sputter out a list of adjectives including “utter badass,” “the kind of person you can buy as the smartest person in the room, who you can also buy as a person holding a flamethrower,” “a very powerful force in New York City,” and “sophisticated, intellectual, dangerous,” rather than reveal who she will play. Sounds like she’s a villain. And we do know her name is Alexandra. But even comic books nerds are perplexed as to who her comic book alter-ego might be!
Marvel‘s “The Defenders” follows Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist. A quartet of singular heroes with one common goal – to save New York City. This is the story of four solitary figures, burdened with their own personal challenges, who realize they just might be stronger when teamed together.
Among the confirmed appearances are Carrie-Anne Moss as Jeri Hogarth, Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page, Simone Missick as Misty Knight, Elden Henson as Foggy Nelson, Scott Glenn as Stick, Elodie Yung as Elektra, Jessica Henwick as Colleen Wing, Eka Darville as Malcolm Ducasse, and Rachael Taylor as Trish Walker. And, of course, Rosario Dawson will reprise the role of Claire Temple, as she was the only character to be in all four series. And it looks like Jon Bernthal’s Punisher will be in the mix too.
We’ll find out in a month when “The Defenders” hits Netflix.