The Future of Iron Fist

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Back in March, Iron Fist season 1 was made available on Netflix.  Since then I’ve talked about various aspects of the show and how they work out.  There are definitely some elements of this series that did not work out at all; there are definitely some other elements that work out very well.  I think all of the Marvel Netflix series have been subject to this same criticism, but Iron Fist has definitely received it much more.

But with all that behind us, it’s time to talk about what may happen moving forward with these characters!  There are some obvious plot threads which can be explored, either in an unannounced Iron Fist season 2 or in The Defenders this August.  Unfortunately, we do not know enough about The Defenders say definitively what may appear in each series.

But that’s never stopped me before!

The Defenders

We already know that both Danny and Colleen are going to appear in The Defenders.  It has also been stated that at the beginning of the series, Danny will be the one who really knows what’s going on.  Based on the involvement of both Elektra and Madame Gao, as well as the little information we have about Sigourney Weaver’s “Alexandra,” it’s a safe bet that the Hand is going to be the antagonists for the series.  However, this doesn’t mean that the major loose end from Iron Fist (the disappearance of K’un-Lun) will be the conflict for The Defenders.

Since The Defenders will bring together four series and five separate seasons, I expect that the story for the team-up will do something separate from all the previous series.  Consequently, my guess is that Alexandra will be trying to take over the city, perhaps using some of the loose threads from the other series.

If any of the loose ends from Iron Fist find their way into The Defenders, my first guess is that Darryl will appear to continue that “future of the Hand” tease from Iron Fist.

Iron Fist Season 2

This is where most of these loose ends will probably get wrapped up.  We will probably find out what happened to K’un-Lun in this season.  I don’t think it will be as simple as “the gateway is closed;” I suspect that something bigger and more mystical will be at play.  It seems like a foregone conclusion that the Hand will be responsible for K’un-Lun’s disappearance, given that Hand soldiers were found in the pass.  This can easily lead to Danny’s involvement in The Defenders, and also result in Matt deciding to join Danny in his quest to save K’un-Lun.  Hopefully this entire arc will force Danny to mature and lead him to understand and embrace his responsibilities as the Iron Fist.

Davos’ (first) plan to kill Danny will be carried out in this season.  Even if Davos isn’t actually working with Madame Gao and Hydra, Gao could certainly use him as a pawn as part of her scheme—whatever it actually is.  This could potentially connect Davos in with Danny’s war against the Hand to save K’un-Lun.

I would love to see more of the Immortal Weapons appear in season 2, as well, and especially if they will be done justice.  Considering how poorly they handled the Bride of Nine Spiders, I’m not exactly hopeful; considering how well they handled Zhou Cheng, I’m very hopeful!  On that note, I would also like to see Zhou Cheng return for season 2, and for him to be given a larger role in the story, perhaps as someone involved in Davos’ plan to kill Danny.

The Future

I’ve said before that I would like to see these four series condensed down after The Defenders to allow for other characters to receive a spotlight, and this remains the case.  After The Defenders, I would eventually like to see at least Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and Jessica Jones reduced down to 1 or 2 series which would continue to tell these characters’ stories—Heroes for Hire and Daughters of the Dragon are the two titles that appeal the most to me.  If both of these concepts were used, the former would focus primarily on Luke and Danny (perhaps with Jessica as a background character, depending on how The Defenders concludes with regard to her and Luke).  The latter would then focus on Misty Knight and Colleen Wing, as well as Jessica Jones and Trish Walker.

It seems likely to me that Iron Fist will receive a second season—assuming that The Defenders does not resolve all of the unresolved threads from Iron Fist season 1.  However, after a couple of solo adventures, I think the best option for Danny Rand moving forward will be to team up with Luke Cage—assuming they work together in The Defenders.

I’m not sure exactly what the producers have in store for these characters, but I am excited to see where they will take these series moving forward.

What do you want to see from Danny Rand in The Defenders and beyond?  What is the biggest loose thread from season 1 that you want to see explored?  Let me know in the comments!