Luke Cage was among the leading heroes of The Defenders Saga, but with the likelihood of Mike Colter not returning to the role for the MCU, there could be a chance to fulfill a popular fan casting. Mike Colter debuted as the Harlem hero in Jessica Jones season one, before leading his own two-season series and returning in The Defenders. Sadly for fans of his performance, Colter spoke with RadioTimes.com about the character’s future, and it doesn’t sound like he’ll be back:

“I quite like doing other things. I appreciate the opportunity Luke Cage presented to me. But I’m particularly involved in the projects that I’m doing now, I’m looking forward, never looking back. Whatever they do with that role, you know, Kevin Feige and the people at Marvel and Disney, they’ll do the right thing and fans will be happy about it, and I’ll cheer for that person, if it’s a recast.”

The Defenders Saga was made canon to the MCU Timeline and several characters and their actors are now a part of the universe. Charlie Cox’s Daredevil has already debuted, while Jon Bernthal’s The Punisher is set to feature in Daredevil Born Again. Luke Cage, meanwhile, is yet to be confirmed, but should the character return, Marvel should consider a long-standing favorite fan cast: Michael Jai White. And the Spawn star’s potential casting is further helped by this actor’s confirmed interest in the role back in 2011.

Michael Jai White Expressed Interest In Playing Luke Cage 13 Years Ago

The Frequent Superhero Star Has Been A Fan Favorite For Some Time

Michael Jai White is no stranger to comic book movies and television shows. He played Spawn in Mark A.Z. Dippé poorly-received 1997 movie and had a minor role as Gambol in The Dark Knight. He also played Bronze Tiger in a handful of appearances on The CW’s Arrow. White also expressed his desire to star in and direct a Black Panther movie for Marvel. Should Luke Cage appear in the MCU, that missed opportunity could be undone.

White has been one of the leading fan cast for Luke Cage for a long time. When ScreenRant suggested potential actors to replace Mike Colter if he doesn’t return, Michael Jai White’s name came up repeatedly in replies. It’s obvious he has considerable backing to play the hulking Marvel hero.

And Jai White has already revealed his enthusiasm for playing the role. In an 2011 interview (via ComicBookMovie.com), White was asked if he was aware of the demand for his casting for a potential solo film. He then stated that he was and candidly admitted would be interested providing that it “didn’t suck”. This would be perfect as White embodies the perfect attributes of the muscular hero with unbreakable skin.

Why Michael Jai White’s Acting History Would Make Him A Perfect Luke Cage

White Has Repeatedly Appeared In Superhero Movies But This Would Be The Best Of All

White has many attributes that make him the ideal candidate. While he’s 9 years older than Colter, White still retains the physical aura needed for Luke Cage. He also has the skills as a martial artist to convince audiences of Cage’s indestructibility and which would make him an asset to any MCU action sequence.

His role as controversial boxer, Mike Tyson, showcases that White is seasoned with aggressive characters that audiences are unsure of as their protagonist. However, White has also shown a lighter side in roles like Marcus in Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married, its sequel, and the television spin-off.

Moreover, White was the first Black American to play a major comic book superhero lead in a movie through Spawn. By comparison, Cage is one of the earliest black superheroes to be featured as the protagonist of a Marvel comic book (debuting in 1972). That alone would make his casting as Luke Cage a potent redemption for White’s missed Black Panther opportunity.