‘Iron Fist’ Explores Danny Rand’s Return to New York, Mythological Aspect Introduced; Showrunner Addresses Casting Controversy

‘Iron Fist’ is set to explore Danny Rand’s return to New York after being thought lost or dead in more than a decade. The series’ mythological aspect is set to be introduced but won’t be focused on in the first season. Meanwhile, showrunner Scott Buck addressed the controversy surrounding Finn Jones’ casting as the titular superhero.

According to Den of Geek, ‘Iron Fist’ is set to debut on Netflix on March 2017 and shares continuity with the films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It is the fourth in Netflix’s line-up of superhero shows leading up to ‘The Defenders’ crossover miniseries.

Jones’ Danny Rand a.k.a. Iron Fist is a billionaire Buddhist monk highly skilled in martial arts. Showrunner Scott Buck revealed in a statement, “I’ve always been drawn to writing complex, intriguing character and that’s what most excites me about the opportunity to bring Danny Rand and Iron Fist to life with Marvel on Netflix.” Buck also serves as executive producer together with Stan Lee, Alan Fine, Jeph Loeb, and Joe Quesada.

Buck revealed during an interview with Wired, "The mythological aspect, we sort of keep as a mystery that lingers throughout the series. We haven't fully explored it in this first season… We approach Danny Rand as a person, and try to see the world through his eyes. As for the flashiness of the fist, it's dealt with in what we hope is the most realistic way possible.”

He continued, "[Danny's] greatest gift is just his martial arts skills, and that's not a super power – that's something he struggled for and earned by training day and night throughout his whole childhood… So from that perspective, we do try to keep it very real and grounded."

Jones’ casting as the titular hero was rife with controversy as fans of the original Marvel comic books debated the character’s true ethnicity. The casting also gave rise to a trending hashtag #AsianAmericanIronFist.

Buck admitted, "When Marvel came to me with this idea, I had never heard of Iron Fist or Danny Rand… I had never read the comics. What [executive producer] Jeph Loeb pitched to me specifically was this character, and that's what pulled me in, what intrigued me.”

He continued, "The other aspects are things I've only learned about afterwards… I can say definitively that Danny Rand is no 'white saviour'. He's trying to save himself, if anything."

The new photographs from the series posted on IGN featured Jones as Danny Rand, Jessica Henwick as Danny’s ally Colleen Wing, Rosario Dawson as nurse Claire Temple, Jessica Stroup as Danny’s childhood acquaintance Joy Meachum, and Tom Pelphrey as Joy’s brother Ward Meachum.

‘Iron Fist’ is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on March 17, 2017. It is produced by Marvel Television in association with ABC Studios. Filming began in New York City in April 2016 and ended in October.