The Defenders panel during SDCC took place in Hall H, a stadium-sized venue, for the first time ever — and it’s because Jeph Loeb had some major Marvel announcements to make.
As was previously announced, the next seasons of Daredevil, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage are all confirmed. In fact, Krysten Ritter and Charlie Cox both flew out from NYC where they’re currently filming for their shows.
On Friday, Marvel’s latest Defender, Iron Fist, was also confirmed for Season 2. The show received very mixed reviews and faced massive backlash after a heated fan debate about whitewashing dominated Twitter. Many were unsure of Danny Rand’s fate beyond his guaranteed appearance in The Defenders. The announcement was met with cheers from Marvel fans in Hall H.
For those who weren’t enthused with watching a white man who costumed himself in the trappings of a pan-asian aesthetic for another season, Loeb teased a cameo by the one and only Misty Knight to sweeten the deal. “A friend of Colleen Wing’s may be coming by, and that makes me a little Misty,” said Loeb right before kicking off the Q&A. Undoubtedly there will be some serious ass-kicking in Chinatown come Season 2.
Fans also got a first look at Punisher footage (deliciously violent with tender family flashbacks sprinkled throughout). To everyone’s delight and surprise, the pilot of The Defenders was screened as well — thanks to some heckling from Charlie Cox and Sigourney Weaver.
Catch Danny Rand as Iron Fist in Netflix’s The Defenders on Aug 18.
