Bring Back Marvel’s Original Iron Fist Actor as THE Iron Fist in the MCU

As a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), I find myself hoping for the return of Finn Jones as Danny Rand, better known as Iron Fist. Originally introduced in Netflix’s Iron Fist, Jones’ portrayal has garnered attention, particularly given his previous roles in Game of Thrones and The Sarah Jane Adventures. However, among the six series of the Defenders Saga, Iron Fist is often viewed as the least successful, raising concerns about the character’s future in the MCU.

In early 2024, it was announced that the Defenders Saga is now canon within the MCU, integrated into the official timeline on Disney+. This affirmation suggests that Finn Jones’ Danny Rand may have an established presence in the MCU, although confirmation from Marvel Studios or Jones has yet to materialize. I am eager to see Finn Jones reprise the role, particularly as recent hints of different iterations of Iron Fist have surfaced in the MCU, but I believe certain changes are necessary for his character to resonate with audiences.

Finn Jones Was An Ideal Casting Choice For Danny Rand

Finn Jones Made His Debut as Danny Rand in 2017

The Netflix adaptation of Iron Fist largely adheres to the character’s comic book origins, depicting Danny Rand as a wealthy individual from New York City who, as a boy, is transported to the mystical city of K’un-Lun. In the comics, he returns as Iron Fist to confront his father’s murderer and establish himself as a superhero. While the MCU added depth to his role as a protector of K’un-Lun, Finn Jones effectively captured Rand’s complex persona.

Jones portrayed Danny Rand’s inner turmoil and his journey toward empowerment convincingly. Although he successfully embodied the character’s privileged yet empathetic nature, he was met with significant criticism, particularly regarding the series’ fight choreography. If Jones returns to the role, I strongly urge Marvel Studios to implement transformative updates to enhance his character’s portrayal within the MCU.

Finn Jones Should Return as a Fully-Fledged Iron Fist

Danny Rand’s Journey to Becoming Iron Fist

Although Danny Rand possessed the Iron Fist and made strides in mastering it throughout his two-season run, viewers never truly witnessed his full transformation into Iron Fist. Elevating Rand into the powerful superhero he is known as in the comics could help Marvel redefine the character and better differentiate him from previous portrayals. Considering seven years have passed since the conclusion of Iron Fist, his character could have significantly evolved.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq7ItaiRaq0

Iron Fist New Powerful Guns || Iron Fist Season2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq7ItaiRaq0)

The conclusion of Iron Fist’s second season left Danny Rand and Ward Meachum searching for Orson Randall, a prior Iron Fist wielder from the early 20th century. If Finn Jones were to return, it could explore the notion of Danny having found Randall and undergone advanced training to wield the Iron Fist, allowing him to emerge as a true and fully-realized superhero — complete with a more comic-accurate costume, which is something sorely lacking from the Netflix series.

Marvel Studios Must Better Handle Danny Rand’s Iron Fist

Danny Rand’s Iron Fist Deserves Justice in the MCU

Danny Rand with glowing Iron Fist in The Defenders

While I believe Finn Jones delivered his best performance under challenging circumstances, particular shortcomings of the Iron Fist series — including its narrative and fight choreography — hindered his portrayal. In a 2021 interview, Iron Fist’s stunt coordinator Brett Chan mentioned that Finn did not receive adequate training, which was detrimental to the quality of fight sequences.

You know, [we] spent 21-22 hour days trying to make it work and having directors say, ‘Ah, no’ or having Marvel say, ‘Ah, no.’ Everyone is fighting and the actor doesn’t want to train. And it’s like, ‘Guys, throw me a bone. Give me something to work with here. That is why some of our best sequences were with Jessica Henwick. Because she trained four hours a day and she has zero martial arts experience. And we had great guys. Teaching aikido judo, and some kinjustsu. And then delivered some kung fu to add in there. It was just…yeah.

If Finn Jones is to reclaim his role as Danny Rand, comprehensive fight training is essential, allowing Iron Fist to fully express his formidable powers. As one of Marvel’s most significant heroes, Iron Fist’s potential was never fully explored in the Netflix series. More dynamic action scenes and increased stakes could position Finn Jones’ version of Iron Fist as a thrilling addition to the MCU, providing an opportunity for redemption after previous disappointments.

Recent MCU Developments Fuel Hope for Danny Rand’s Return

Marvel Studios Has Teased Multiple Iron Fist Characters

While Finn Jones’ return as Iron Fist has not yet been officially acknowledged, the latest MCU developments may suggest an impending comeback. The recent debut of Kwai Jun-Fan in What If…? season 3 introduced a historical version of Iron Fist from the 1870s. Although Jun-Fan’s character was seen teaming up with Shang-Chi and Kate Bishop to thwart the villainous Hood, his iteration has yet to appear in the main MCU continuity. However, Marvel is on the verge of introducing a bona fide Iron Fist character.

MCU Iron Fist	Actor	Debut Project
Wu Ao-Shi	N/A	Iron Fist (Mentioned)
Orson Randall	N/A	Iron Fist (Mentioned)
Danny Rand	Finn Jones	Iron Fist
Davos	Sacha Dhawan	Iron Fist
Colleen Wing	Jessica Henwick	Iron Fist
Eggs Jun-Fan	Allen Deng (Voice)	What If…?
TBD	TBD	Eyes of Wakanda

The upcoming Eyes of Wakanda series from Marvel Animation will mark a significant milestone as it will be the first animated Marvel series to align with the MCU’s primary timeline, Earth-616. While it will primarily focus on the legacy of Wakandan warriors, there are hints that a new version of the Iron Fist may make an appearance. It remains uncertain which version this might entail, but if it turns out to be Orson Randall, the stage could be set perfectly for Finn Jones’ Danny Rand to return triumphantly to the MCU, seven years after Iron Fist concluded.

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