Mike Colter Confirms MCU Conversations About Returning as Luke Cage

The Marvel Netflix era continues to quietly fold itself into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and fans who have been waiting years for the full Defenders lineup to reunite might finally have a real reason to get excited.

With Daredevil and Jessica Jones officially back in the fold, attention has turned to the remaining holdouts. Now, Mike Colter has confirmed he’s talked to Marvel.

Marvel Studios has been steadily importing characters from its once-separate Netflix universe. Charlie Cox returned as Daredevil in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Vincent D’Onofrio followed as Wilson Fisk in Hawkeye, and Daredevil: Born Again made that continuity fully canon.

Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 is right around the corner on Disney+, and it will officially pull Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones and her series lore into the MCU. That only leaves two Defenders still on the sidelines.

While Finn Jones’ Iron Fist remains a question mark, Colter has now confirmed that conversations about Luke Cage are already happening.

During an appearance on Shawn Stockman’s On That Note podcast, Colter was careful with his words, but direct enough to get fans talking:

“I will say this: I’ve had conversations. I’ve had conversations, and I’ll leave it at that. I’ve had some conversations.”

For years, Colter had publicly distanced himself from the role. He previously said that he was “past” Luke Cage, saying, “I don’t think about Luke Cage opportunities,” and adding that “I’m happy, more than happy, to let someone else take on that mantle or that role.”

The tone started to change as time went on. As Daredevil: Born Again gained momentum and more Netflix characters began drifting into the MCU, Colter sounded more open to the idea:

“I would love to explore it, if they found some story, some way, somewhere, to take it. I’m happy that Charlie Cox and those are getting it rebooted, but I don’t have any [idea if Luke Cage is getting rebooted]. I’m not holding anything back.”

Now, Colter has acknowledged that time, perspective, and seeing his former co-stars back in action have reshaped how he feels about returning. He explained why his stance softened:

“Before I was [like] ‘no.’ Look, I love playing Luke Cage, but I also love acting, I love doing different things,” Colter explained. “So I was like, ‘I’m going to do something else.’

“But I love the fans, and I love that world, and it’s been years now, so now I’m doing other projects, but I think to myself, ‘there’s some unfinished business there.’

“And now I think I’ve reached the point where there’s some unfinished business, and Daredevil’s back… Jessica’s back.”

Colter also hinted that the logistics might finally be lining up in a way that makes sense:

“We’re in a better position to see this come into fruition faster than we think. So yeah, we’ll see. I was giving no one hope before; I’m giving hope at least.”

The end of Luke Cage Season 2 left its hero in a fascinating place. Cage had taken control of Harlem’s criminal underworld, acting as its unofficial kingpin while keeping the neighborhood protected. That position puts him directly in Fisk’s orbit, whether Fisk likes it or not.

Colter also may have teased more than he meant to at a convention last year when discussing a potential face-off with Kingpin:

“We haven’t had a scene. The thing about it is, this is Vincent, but when Vincent comes on set… it’s not him anymore, he goes somewhere else, and then it’s going to be scary.

“So I’m kind of interested in seeing him in character, being across from him, because he’s going to be a different person. I’m probably going to be intimidated, just like everyone else. It’s like, ‘Oh, sh*t, I’m doing a scene with Vincent today.”

Even if Luke Cage doesn’t show up Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, the door is clearly open. New York based MCU projects like Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the upcoming Punisher special presentation, future seasons of Daredevil: Born Again, or even a long-awaited Defenders reunion all make sense as landing spots.

Luke Cage returning to the MCU feels like something Marvel and Mike Colter are actually circling, and that’s pretty awesome.