Marvel Studios ‘Exploring’ MCU Comeback For Defenders Iron Fist, Luke Cage, And Jessica Jones

Despite the mixed response Captain America: Brave New World has been getting this past week, and persistent rumblings online about so-called 'superhero fatigue', the Marvel Cinematic Universe still has plenty of lovers. And if Marvel Studios' head of streaming, television, and animation Brad Winderbaum has any say in the matter, then the MCU may also be about to bring back some Defenders, too. Namely, Krysten Ritter‘s Jessica Jones, Mike Colter‘s Luke Cage, and Finn Jones‘ Iron Fist, who — alongside Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock — form, well, The Defenders, Hell's Kitchen's Mightiest Heroes.

Ahead of Daredevil: Born Again's release next month, Winderbaum took the time to talk to Entertainment Weekly about the Man With No Fear's MCU journey from humble Netflix origins to prime Disney+ programming. And, when asked if Charlie Cox, Vincent D'Onofrio, and co's returns might open the door to the other Defenders making a comeback somewhere down the line, the department head certainly wasn't ruling anything out. "I can't say much, but I'll tell you that it's so exciting to be able to play in that sandbox,” teased Winderbaum, pouring fuel on any speculation-based fire by adding, "But I can just say that all those variables [budgetary and resource-based restrictions] taken into account, it is certainly something that is creatively extremely exciting and that we are very much exploring."

And as we're now learning, Jones, Cage, and Iron Fist Danny Rand may not be the only ones in line for a second coming in the MCU. As far as Winderbaum is concerned, Élodie Yung's Elektra and ninja outfit The Hand haven't been ruled out, either. "Who knows what the future brings? Once we arc out here, there's obviously any number of stories that we'd want to revisit or pull from the comics that involve Elektra or the Hand or any part of the Daredevil mythos."

The Defenders potentially making a comeback. A new series of Daredevil about to drop. And Elektra and The Hand getting mentions. Yeah, we're thinking the Netflix Era is back! And it all begins with Daredevil: Born Again, whose two-episode season premiere lands on Disney+ on 4 March.