The Final Defender Revealed: Marvel Unleashes First 'Iron Fist' Trailer

Ever since last year's Daredevil Season 1, Marvel fans have been absolutely hooked to the Netflix shows. The latest series, Luke Cage, was so popular that it literally caused the streaming service to briefly shut down due to high demand! Luke Cage ended with a teaser that deliberately set up the next Marvel Netflix show, Iron Fist, and we've recently been told that it will air in March 2017.

Today, at New York Comic Con, Marvel's Iron Fist panel gave us a first taste of the show!

Iron Fist, which finished filming only this morning, tells the story of Danny Rand, a rich industrialist who learns a mystical variation of Kung Fu. Plunging his fists into the molten heart of a dragon, Danny gained the power of the Iron Fist; as a result, he can summon and focus his chi. He can use this to enhance his strength, speed, and agility; he can harness it to heal; or he can generate the powerful 'Iron Fist' blow, a deadly strike that can shatter walls. You can easily see that power in this tantalizing trailer!

Marvel has cast Finn Jones for the central role, a decision that caused some controversy - fans had long campaigned for an Asian American actor to play Iron Fist, as the character is seen as representative of cultural appropriation. Excited at the role, Jones launched into a strenuous exercise regime; he was in training for 5 hours a day, with 3 hours of martial arts and 2 hours of weight training every day.

We know that Simone Missick will reprise the role of Misty Knight (which she played so well in Luke Cage), and Jessica Henwick is playing investigator Colleen Wing. Eagle-eyed Marvel fans will have spotted a brief cameo from Colleen at the end of Luke Cage. Rosario Dawson's Claire Temple is also guaranteed to make an appearance.

According to Jeph Loeb, the focus of the show is to explore those who have "fallen out of society" in some way. The central character is based on real-life 'captains of industry', many of whom are deeply conflicted people.

2017 is going to be an exciting year for Marvel Netflix, not least because it's going to feature not one but three shows - Iron Fist, Punisher, and The Defenders. The last of those shows is easily the most exciting, as it will unite Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist (and possibly the Punisher) in battle against the Hand. Clips seen at New York Comic Con referenced the character of Jeri Hogarth (played by Carrie-Anne Moss in Jessica Jones) and the Hand.

Iron Fist is sure to continue the build-up to this exciting team series. Both Claire Temple and Misty Knight connect Iron Fist to Luke Cage, and that's no coincidence; the two are best friends in the comics, known as the 'Heroes for Hire'. Some fans are even speculating that we'll see a 'Heroes for Hire' series spin out of The Defenders, but only time will tell.

The NYCC clips are our first real taste of the future of Marvel Netflix. They hint that this series will be every bit as atmospheric as Marvel's previous shows; Iron Fist is sure to continue Marvel's winning streak, and only increase excitement for The Defenders!

Featured Image: Marvel Comics