Image via Netflix/Linda Kallerus
Seven days before unleashing the third season of Marvel’s Daredevil, Netflix signed the death certificate for Marvel’s Iron Fist, putting the mostly-panned series to rest months after airing its second season. Surprised? Not necessarily; the first season was a struggle for most critics (present company included), and while the second season showed a lot of promise, the series still ranked at the bottom of the heap for MCU shows on Netflix. At some point, the plug was set to be pulled, right?
This cancellation actually causes more speculation on the future of the character than petitions from fans will. [Ed Note: Spoilers for season 2 of Marvel’s Iron Fist from here on out!] By season 2’s end, Colleen Wing gained a form of the Iron Fist powers, and Danny Rand, who’d lost the powers for most of the second season, somehow gained it back, and was able to manifest it into handguns (which capped off many similarities to The Immortal Iron Fist comic series from that season). Rand was also on a trek to find a fallen former Iron Fist. Those are some hefty loose ends to not have tied up in some way, shape or form. Couple those with the joint statement Marvel and Netflix released to Deadline and you can start understanding why I quickly threw on my theorist fitted.
“Marvel’s Iron Fist will not return for a third season on Netflix,” it began. After thanking the fans of the series and the people who put hard work into crafting both seasons, their joined statement ended with this doozy: “While the series on Netflix has ended, the immortal Iron Fist will live on.”
That could mean a number of things, from hinting at the comic book series that’s still going down to a nice coda about the spirit of the Iron Fist living in the hearts of fans. Let’s be forreal, though: that was an obvious teaser towards the show’s future, right? Let’s dive into our theories what this situation could actually mean.
Theory #1: Colleen Wing is about to get her own Netflix series
This is one of the easier theories to come forth. Season 2 dealt with Danny’s partner learning about her family and how her lineage ties into the Iron Fist mythos, leading to receiving and utilizing the Iron Fist power. She’s even turned into a vigilante, protecting the streets like Rand or the Daredevil before her. It’d make sense for Colleen Wing to be the face of the next iteration of an Iron Fist series, be it as solely Colleen Wing, Iron Fist or…
...we could finally get that Daughters of the Dragon team-up series we’ve been waiting for. In the Marvel Comics that influence these series, Misty Knight and Colleen Wing form a duo, the Daughters of the Dragon, born from their partnership in the Iron Fist books. In the series, especially in season 2 of Iron Fist, Wing and Knight form a deeper bond. Their chemistry on-screen is awesome, and both women shine in the series they’ve been featured in. It’s a win-win.
Theory #2: We finally get Power Man and Iron Fist
Another duo straight out of the comic books is the pairing of Luke Cage and Danny Rand, aka Power Man and Iron Fist. We saw Iron Fist cameo in a season 2 episode of Luke Cage, where they played off the duo’s comic history in a number of ways. Their bromance began in Defenders (another series with an uncertain future) but could spawn into a full show where the duo goes out on adventures that can only be handled by heroes with their particular skillset (and appreciation for Wu-Tang Clan tracks).
This could be killed by an Instagram post Finn Jones dropped in light of the announcement. “With every end is a new beginning,” Jones said. “I have an enormous amount of love and respect for everyone involved with the last two seasons of this show. Defending the greatest city in the world amongst the most talented and warmest people has been a privilege and a joy. Blessed to have taken this journey and grateful for the ongoing support.”
Sounds like the words of an actor who is done playing a particular role, but the phrase “every end is a new beginning” could be read as “I’m going to be working on new roles” or “this series being deaded has opened up new opportunities for the character I’m definitely still playing.”
Theory #3: ‘Iron Fist’ could live on via Disney’s streaming service
One of the biggest questions has been what’ll happen to these Marvel series on Netflix when Disney launches their streaming service in 2019. When first announced, it was said that the “core four” Marvel series (Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist) would remain at Netflix. Way back in 2013 when the Disney-Netflix deal for these series was announced, it was with the idea that these series were a package deal that’d lead to Marvel’s Defenders. From what Deadline reported, Marvel even wanted to continue with Iron Fist on Netflix, but with the way the streaming landscape is changing at Disney, it’s not hard to believe that Iron Fist could land on Disney’s service alongside the already-reported series for Loki and the Scarlet Witch, as well as that Star Wars series The Mandalorian from Jon Favreau.
Netflix wouldn’t be hurt by this move, mind you; Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage operate on varied stages of critical (and fan) praise, and they also have a second season of The Punisher that’s completed production and more than likely launching in the first or second quarter of 2019. There’s been chatter of Daredevil already being in line for a fourth season, and Krysten Ritter will be stepping behind the camera to direct a season 3 episode of Jessica Jones. While not announced yet, it’s also being assumed that Luke Cage will be getting a third season on Netflix (which would be a blessing, considering how Harlem was shaken up at the end of season 2).
The main question would be, if Finn Jones would be portraying the Iron Fist on Disney’s streaming service in a series that we assume would still be in the same universe as the Netflix MCU shows, is there still an ability for crossover/cameo episodes? Marvel Television and ABC Studios worked on all of the Netflix MCU series, as well as properties like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, so if those are the same production companies behind a new Iron Fist show on Disney’s service, it’s a possibility.
Theory #4: Iron Fist just lives on as a character without a show
Low-key, many enjoyed Iron Fist as a character in that one Luke Cage episode more than seeing him in two seasons of his own show. Maybe Danny Rand/Iron Fist, the man, doesn’t necessarily need his own series. Maybe he’s dope enough to be a featured character inside of these other series, similar to how Misty Knight has been in Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and Defenders. She’s been an integral part in these series, working in multi-episode arcs. Iron Fist could do that, and maintain a presence in the world without having to have his own series stamp, right?
We’re not saying relegate Danny Rand to Turk status (although Turk is cool AF), but the end of Iron Fist, the Netflix series, doesn’t necessarily mean the end of Iron Fist, the character who could easily bounce in and out of multiple Netflix series. The dust is far from settled in what the Disney/Marvel/Netflix relationship will be moving into 2019, but it’d be a big surprise if the Iron Fist (in some iteration) wasn’t a part of the Marvel television universe.