It’s Official – Mike Colter Will Be Luke Cage For Marvel and NetflixPosted by Wilson Morales
December 22, 2014
Source: Variety
After Deadline reported earlier this month that Mike Colter, who’s currently starring in the digital series Halo: Nightfall for Microsoft and Xbox Entertainment, was Marvel’s top choice to play Luke Cage in the Netflix series, Jessica Jones, both companies have NOW confirmed their story.
With Twilight screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg as the show runner, the 13-episode drama, the second in a four-series Netflix-Marvel deal, centers on Jessica Jones (played by Krysten Ritter), a superhero suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, which leads to her hanging up her costume and opening her own detective agency, where she ends up helping people and assisting other superheroes.
The character has a romantic relationship with Cage, which is why his character will be showcased in 6 or 7 episodes of the Jessica Jones show before leading his own Netflix series, Luke Cage.
“Mike embodies the strength, edge and depth of Luke Cage,” said “Jessica Jones” showrunner Melissa Rosenberg. “We’re excited to have him bring this iconic Marvel character to life.”
“Fans have longed to see Luke Cage … and in Mike we’ve found the perfect actor,” said Jeph Loeb, Marvel’s Head of Television. “Viewers will get to meet Luke Cage in ‘Marvel’s A.K.A. Jessica Jones,’ and experience why he is such an important super hero in the Marvel mythos.”
Ritter, who starred in the short-lived ABC series ABC show Don’t Trust the B—in Apt. 23, has been given the female lead role of Jones. She will next be seen in Tim Burton’s Big Eyes.
Colter has appeared in numerous TV series including a starring role on ‘Ringer’ and guest-starring roles on ‘The Good Wife’ and ‘The Following.’ The South Carolina native played boxer Big Willie Little in the Oscar winning film ‘Million Dollar Baby.’ He was seen opposite Will Smith in ‘Men In Black 3.’ and in Kathryn Bigelow’s ‘Zero Dark Thirty.’
“Jessica Jones” is the second of five Netflix shows Marvel will roll out starting next year with “Marvel’s Daredevil.” Following the two will be both “Luke Cage” and “Iron Fist,” with all four leading into a “Defenders” mini-series.
