Marvel Studios could see the main stars from The Defenders Saga come together again in a future Marvel Cinematic Universe project, and the remaining members to return have already commented on possibly coming back as their Marvel heroes. At the moment, Charlie Cox’s Daredevil is the only main hero from the Netflix Marvel series to have come back as the character after The Defenders Saga shows were canceled by the streamer. Following supporting and cameo roles in multiple MCU projects, Cox will lead Daredevil: Born Again, which teams him up once again with Wilson Fisk actor Vincent D’Onofrio.

Daredevil: Born Again will be a major step for those who want the return of their favorites from The Defenders Saga. The new Daredevil series has been reworked by Marvel — now set to bring back multiple stars from the original Daredevil show. Among them is another character who was the star of his series, with Jon Bernthal returning as the Punisher. At the moment, there is no confirmation that Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage — the other The Defenders Saga main heroes — are in Daredevil: Born Again or future MCU projects, but their actors have commented on returning.

Krysten Ritter Is Ready To Return As Jessica Jones

The Hero Is Rumored To Appear In Daredevil: Born Again

The three most popular heroes of Netflix’s Marvel series are probably Daredevil, the Punisher, and Jessica Jones. With the first two set to appear in Daredevil: Born Again, it would not be shocking if Krysten Ritter were to make a surprise return to her Marvel role in the 2025 series. Rumors about Jessica Jones appearing in Daredevil: Born Again have been going on for some time, with the character being mentioned as a possible player in either season one or two of the show. Daredevil: Born Again season 1 is nine episodes long, set to premiere in March 2025.

So far, no official announcement regarding Jessica Jones appearing in Daredevil: Born Again has been made, though Ritter has seemingly dropped teases on social media. Over the past few months, Ritter shared photos of herself wearing a shirt Jessica Jones wore in her Netflix series, as well as with purple hair, which fans connected to Jessica’s “Jewel” identity from Marvel Comics. In May, Ritter said she was touched by the support but was not teasing a return. Then, in late June, Ritter said she was ready to come back as Jessica Jones and would do so in a heartbeat.

Mike Colter Has Moved On From Luke Cage But Would Consider A Return

A Major Hollywood Star Would Likely Love To Take Over As Luke Cage

Besides Ritter’s Jessica Jones, another major hero from Netflix’s The Defenders Saga that could return to the MCU is Mike Colter’s Luke Cage. Unlike Daredevil and Jessica Jones, which both got three seasons, Luke Cage ended with season 2, which concluded the hero’s story on a major cliffhanger. At the end of the series, Luke became the new head of Harlem’s Paradise, which created a possible evil turn for the character in season 3. Sadly, with the cancellation of the Netflix Marvel shows, that would never be followed up on, but maybe Marvel Studios could give fans an answer.

However, it does not seem like Luke Cage star Colter is champing at the bit to come back to the role. Over the past couple of years, Colter has commented on having left Luke Cage in the past. In 2022, Colter responded to Luke Cage return rumors by claiming they were just rumors and that he liked taking a break from the series, as he was physically tired by the end of the show. In January 2023, Colter said he would pick up the phone if Marvel called, but claimed he would “like to focus and just try other things.”

More than a year after his last comment on returning to the role, Colter once again shared uncertain words about whether he would like to play Luke Cage again. This June, Colter said that he does not stay up at night thinking about the role but would talk to Marvel if a good script came along — and it did not block him from appearing in another season of the hit series Evil, which fans hope can find a new home. If Colter does not come back, perhaps Dwayne Johnson could get his Marvel dream role of playing Luke Cage.

Finn Jones Wants To See Iron Fist Grow

Marvel Studios Can Do Right By Iron Fist

It is no secret that Finn Jones’ Iron Fist was the weakest of the main characters in Netflix’s The Defenders Saga. However, Iron Fist season 2 and the character’s role in Luke Cage season 2 pointed towards a more positive version of the hero in the future, which would never come due to the cancellation of The Defenders Saga. In 2022, Jones said he would love another chance as Iron Fist. The Marvel actor claimed he believes in underdogs and cares about the hero, saying, “I know I can give the Danny Rand performance that fans want.”

Jones’ motivation to come back as a new and improved Iron Fist is exciting. The actor has shown to understand that changes are needed to make his version of Danny Rand more accurate to the comics. This June, Jones commented on his chances of returning as Iron Fist. The actor once again talked about improving his take on Iron Fist, with Jones believing there is “a lot of room for growth with that character.” Jones also thinks he is, professionally, in a place that would allow himself to grow alongside his version of Iron Fist in the MCU.

Why Keeping All The Defenders Saga Heroes Is The Best Choice For The MCU

Daredevil Leads The Way For The MCU

Now that The Defenders Saga has been made officially canon to the MCU, there is no reason not to bring back all of its core actors. Daredevil: Born Again is set to be a major celebration of the Netflix era of Marvel shows, as well as the first major step towards cementing those characters in Marvel Studios’ plans for the MCU going forward. The Punisher, Bullseye, Karen Page, Foggy Nelson, and more Daredevil characters will be returning.

As was teased at the end of Echo, Daredevil: Born Again will deal with Wilson Fisk’s decision to run for Mayor of New York City. In the comics, Kingpin outlaws vigilantes and sends his forces to hunt them down. That setup would be perfect to bring in Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage — all with their original actors. The four characters had great chemistry in The Defenders, and with Finn Jones game to bring Iron Fist to the same level as the others, the MCU could present the most comic book-accurate versions of The Defenders Saga‘s main stars yet.

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  The Defenders

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  The culmination of Netflix’s Marvel hero series arrives as The Defenders, a superhero action mini-series that sees Daredevil, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage, all team up to face a common threat, an evil crime syndicate known as the Hand. As the heroes discover events throughout New York City that seem connected, they realize that by teaming up together, they may be enough to stop New York City from falling into ruin. However, ghosts from each of their pasts return to impede their heroic actions.

  Cast

  Finn Jones
  , Mike Colter
  , Krysten Ritter
  , Charlie Cox
  , Eka Darville
  , Elden Henson
  , Sigourney Weaver
  , Rosario Dawson
  , Jessica Henwick
  , simone missick

  Release Date

  
  August 18, 2017
  

  Seasons

  1

  Streaming Service(s)

  Netflix
  , Disney Plus

  Showrunner

  Marco Ramirez
  , Douglas Petrie

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  Daredevil

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  Daredevil is a Netflix original series starring Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock. The TV show ran for three seasons before being canceled by Netflix, despite being critically praised. Kingpin was the main antagonist in seasons 1 and 3 and also introduced Jon Benrthal’s Punisher in season 2. Daredevil was followed by Disney+’s Daredevil: Born Again.

  Cast

  Charlie Cox
  , Rosario Dawson
  , Elden Henson
  , Vincent D’Onofrio
  , Deborah Ann Woll
  , Jon Bernthal

  Release Date

  
  April 10, 2015
  

  Seasons

  3

  Streaming Service(s)

  Netflix
  , Disney+

  Showrunner

  Steven S. DeKnight

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  Marvel’s Jessica Jones

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  Having left her brief career as a superhero behind, Jessica Jones works as a private investigator. When Kilgrave, her abusive former partner who possesses mind-control powers, resurfaces, it’s up to Jessica to stop him.

  Cast

  Krysten Ritter
  , David Tennant
  , Mike Colter
  , Rachael Taylor
  , wil traval
  , Erin Moriarty
  , Eka Darville
  , Carrie-Anne Moss
  , J.R. Ramirez
  , Terry Chen
  , Leah Gibson
  , Janet McTeer
  , Benjamin Walker
  , Sarita Choudhury
  , Jeremy Bobb

  Release Date

  
  November 20, 2015
  

  Seasons

  3

  Streaming Service(s)

  Netflix
  , Disney+

  Showrunner

  Melissa Rosenberg

  Expand

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  Luke Cage

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  Luke Cage is part of the Netflix Marvel tv series slate and follows the titular character in Harlem who fights crime to protect his neighborhood. After an experiment goes wrong, Luke Cage becomes imbued with superhuman strength and skin as hard as diamonds. Falsely convicted and on the run, Luke uncovers an underground syndicate that looks to exploit the residents of Harlem. To protect them, Luke will come out of hiding to stop them, hoping to clear his name in the process.

  Cast

  Frank Whaley
  , Theo Rossi
  , Mahershala Ali
  , Justin Swain
  , simone missick
  , Frankie Faison
  , Jaiden Kaine
  , Alfre Woodard
  , Darius Kaleb
  , Mike Colter
  , Kellen C Wingate
  , erik laray harvey

  Release Date

  
  September 30, 2016
  

  Seasons

  2

  Streaming Service(s)

  Netflix
  , Disney Plus

  Showrunner

  Cheo Hodari Coker

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  Iron Fist

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  Part of the original Netflix line-up of Marvel shows, Iron Fist follows billionaire heir Danny Rand on his journey to become the legendary Iron Fist. Returning to America after going missing for fifteen years, Danny returns to reclaim his family fortune and use it to help others in need. However, a call to action pulls Danny away from his family duties as a new threat emerges, calling upon the powers of the Iron Fist to protect his friends and family – and New York City.

  Cast

  Ludovic Coutaud
  , Donté Grey
  , Alberto Bonilla
  , Craig Geraghty
  , Finn Jones
  , Murray Bartlett
  , José Báez
  , Jessica Henwick
  , Paugh Shadow
  , Lewis Tan
  , Myles Humphus

  Release Date

  
  March 17, 2017
  

  Seasons

  2

  Streaming Service(s)

  Netflix

  Showrunner

  Scott Buck

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  The Punisher

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  The Punisher stars Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle/The Punisher, who first appeared on Netflix’s Daredevil. Frank is a United States Marine Corps Scout Sniper veteran who is highly skilled in martial arts, stealth tactics, guerrilla warfare, and knows how to use a variety of weapons. The death of his wife and two children led him to take matters into his own hands, and he has been killing criminals indiscriminately ever since. Despite being beloved by fans, The Punisher was canceled in early 2019. Thankfully for fans of Bernthal’s character, it was announced in 2023 that he would be joining the MCU by appearing in Daredevil: Born Again, starring Charlie Cox.

  Cast

  Deborah Ann Woll
  , Jon Bernthal

  Release Date

  
  November 17, 2017
  

  Seasons

  2

  Streaming Service(s)

  Netflix

  Showrunner

  John Romita Sr.