Earlier this month a rumour surfaced from Bleeding Cool suggesting that Marvel was struggling with development on Iron Fist, and could potentially pull the plug on Danny Rand’s Netflix series. While the initial report seemed suspect – especially as Bleeding Cool’s previous rumour about Marvel scrapping the Inhumans movie was swiftly dismissed – Peel the Orange is now claiming that Marvel is considering swapping Iron Fist for a series based around Jon Bernthal’s Punisher.
“Marvel can’t quite seem to figure out how to put Iron Fist into the equation and time is running out,” reports the site. “They’re very pleased with how Jon Bernthal’s portrayal of Frank Castle for Season 2 of Daredevil and know that the fans have a great appreciation for the character. They also know that a Punisher series would be much cheaper and more marketable. They have a contract with Netflix and have to do something. It appears that for this phase of shows, time is running thin for Iron Fist.
SEE ALSO: Follow all of our Marvel Cinematic Universe coverage here
Now, this could be little more than speculation, and should be firmly filed as a rumour for the time being but if it is true, how would you feel about a Punisher series as opposed to Iron Fist? Let us know in the comments below…
Michel says
iron who? Iron Fist? About a guy that stole the hand of iron man’s suit and now calls himself a superhero?
Seriously though, iron fist is not even a “B” hero in my book, much rather see punisher i guess..
HolyFranchiseBatman! says
Not sure I believe the rumour, but always thought Iron Fist was an odd choice for a “grounded” series like Daredevil. Would have been better suited paired up with Luke Cage, maybe for the second season as Heroes For Hire.
AKA says
You realize that Netflix TV plans didn’t revolve around Daredevil – right? Luke Cage is most likely going to be a bigger part of it overall given he is in Jessica Jones, has his own series, and should have been partnered with Iron Fist…
Also Daredevil strongly hinted at being linked to Iron Fist with some of the subplots. To think they will just drop that is terrible IMO.
Carlos Leon says
What Netflix could do is give iron fist the Extremis from Iron Man 3 and thier he unlocks his inner ti chi and he kicks was with his iron fist!!
Shane MacLeod says
wtf are you talking about
Carlos Leon says
Well I’m just saying if Marvel is having a hard time thinking of how to bring iron fist to life just give him the Extremis and then thier fist of fury!! They could also tie him into Doctor Strange considering Stephen will be introduced before iron fist…..
Shane MacLeod says
wtf are you talking about
John says
He’s
a username says
Iron Fist is about as popular as Luke Cage. Certainly more popular than Jessica Jones, so what exactly is your point?
AKA says
So you’re not a fan of the comics nor do you know who Iron Fist is…yet we should care who a “B” hero in your book is….why?
Shaun खरोच says
Because Naetflix/Marvel are wanting to reach a wider audience
marsjaninzmarsa says
Umm, nope, Iron Fist is not guy who stole hand of Iron Man’s suit, that’s moar like mystical, you know, dragons, kung-fu and stuff.
John says
He is a B list
You just don’t know anything about comics
John says
He is a B list
You just don’t know anything about comics
Nurdboy42 says
“About a guy that stole the hand of iron man’s suit and now calls himself a superhero?”
Are you retarded or something?
Louie says
Iron fist would be amazing but would require some budget!
I envisaged a series that spent more time in Kun Lun via flashbacks and it would have been great. The punisher has a lot of potential but I feel Marvel really needs to increase the focus on the mystical heroes with Dr Strange coming up.
Tom says
Agreed! Has anyone read Matt Fraction’s Immortal Iron Fist back in 2006? The first 12 issues or so were awesome, featuring a martial arts tournament in K’un L’un. I pictured a Netflix series that would flash back to that tourney often, possibly showing us how Rand earned the title of Iron Fist. Then for the present, I’d have him befriend Luke Cage and kickstart their Heroes for Hire business, mixed with a little big corporation espionage and intrigue! You know, because Danny Rand is super-rich and owns his own corporation.
John says
I read those they were good.
Too bad All new marvel is going to fuck Danny and Luke up now
John says
I read those they were good.
Too bad All new marvel is going to fuck Danny and Luke up now
Eric Mooney says
Bummer. I was looking forward to Iron Fist.
Eric Mooney says
Bummer. I was looking forward to Iron Fist.
xao kaching says
Agreed, but I’m still confident that IF will come out after LC’s series just as planned.
Eric Mooney says
Bummer. I was looking forward to Iron Fist.
davcamp says
Sonofa…
John says
I’d much rather have an Iron Fist Series. I’ve always loved the character. Punisher can wait until the second wave of shows.
a username says
Punisher plays a major part in Daredevil Season 2. Would much rather have a new character introduced.
a username says
Punisher plays a major part in Daredevil Season 2. Would much rather have a new character introduced.
Andrew Rynearson says
Punisher should just free float around the whole Marvel universe. Like he does in many of the comic’s. He a force that once released on evil doesn’t stop but he is lacking in substance. Plus if they had a free floating character that character story arch would require fans to follow shows they might not be as interested in.
Eric says
This comment nailed it. At this point, everyone knows who the Punisher is. Heck, I’d say have him guest in AoS as well. And while they are at it, go ahead and tie-up that rumor/theory that he was driving those two Penske box trucks in the movies as well.
Jay Price says
I dont know guys. If they go with a Punisher MAX(Garth Ennis) version, that could be one of the coolest shows of all time.
His character is almost secondary to the supporting cast in some ways. The villains and and support characters are the focus, Frank is the catalyst that drives the story, not so much the story itself.
Jay Price says
I dont know guys. If they go with a Punisher MAX(Garth Ennis) version, that could be one of the coolest shows of all time.
His character is almost secondary to the supporting cast in some ways. The villains and and support characters are the focus, Frank is the catalyst that drives the story, not so much the story itself.
Jay Price says
I dont know guys. If they go with a Punisher MAX(Garth Ennis) version, that could be one of the coolest shows of all time.
His character is almost secondary to the supporting cast in some ways. The villains and and support characters are the focus, Frank is the catalyst that drives the story, not so much the story itself.
Andrew Rynearson says
Yeah and the primary fan group of the punisher are young males who might not like a female centric tv show. They would watch it to see Castle fuck shit up through. Also if the punisher was in New York during the avengers you know he would went out to have some fun.
John says
I’d much rather have an Iron Fist Series. I’ve always loved the character. Punisher can wait until the second wave of shows.
John says
I’d much rather have an Iron Fist Series. I’ve always loved the character. Punisher can wait until the second wave of shows.
Spencer Goolsby says
Iron Fist and Daredevil were the only things keeping me with Netflix. If Iron Fist is dropped completely, I will most likely follow suit.
Spencer Goolsby says
Iron Fist and Daredevil were the only things keeping me with Netflix. If Iron Fist is dropped completely, I will most likely follow suit.
Juggernaut says
Shame. Iron Fist was actually the Netflix show I was most interested in out of all of them. Punisher has had multiple movies. Give the world Iron Fist!
david bear says
Punisher ooooooh a guy with guns.. really original. Blah. Give me Iron Fist! I can watch a shoot em up movie bang bang anytime. I didn’t even bother watching the second Punisher movie.. eh why bother?
Tallcorn says
Punisher is interesting if he’s done right. The best Punisher stories to me have been about a guy that’s so vicious you have trouble rooting for him. A guy with a code so stark and rigid you can’t agree with it. He essentially fights his enemies like a guerrilla, defeating them with superior experience, mobility, and ruthlessness.
Would make for a depressing series though, he’s a real asshole. I like that he’s showing up in Daredevil, he’s better as a villain.
david bear says
Yeah… Very true. I totally understand. But the fact is they mAdE Punisher movies.. We want something different i.e. this Iron Fist.
I don’t know anything about him but would love to learn. I already know about Punisher (for the most part?) ..lol.
Johnnie Taylor says
Love the Punisher but this doesn’t make much sense to me. Punisher is already being featured and establishing Iron Fist can do a lot for Luke Cage and paves the path for Doctor Strange and other characters with mystical powers. Of all of the things marvel pulls off, this is what is tough? Just doesn’t make sense to me and I hope they see this through with th characters they meant to establish.
Rick Deibert says
Luke Cage without his bro-mance partner Danny Rand? /cry
Marvel needs to make both happen! >.<
Jonesey says
Seriously Marvel? You can’t “figure out” how to do Iron Fist, despite decades of comic history? I honestly don’t want to see a Punisher series, but I can actually believe this rumor considering how much hype the character is getting. But the solution seems simple: bring Danny Rand into the fold as a supporting character, then make season two of Luke Cage a Heroes for Hire show in which Iron Fist is the co-star. I honestly think they should have done this from the beginning, and hope that we still get the Iron Fist character to show up in some capacity since he brings a much-needed element to the Defenders and to Luke Cage.
AKA says
This is stupid if true. Iron Fist made perfect sense for the Netflix shows given his connection to Luke Cage and also a lot of the foreshadowing Daredevil did to the mystical side of Marvel he fits into. I’m a fan of the Punisher but I never wanted Daredevil S2 to derail the original plans for the Defenders. I want to see more characters from Marvel comics adapted as opposed to ones that have had multiple live action media adaptions already done continue to get the spotlight.
HR says
Why is it that unsubstantiated rumors are so quick to be believed? The same people who shot down the Inhumans being scrapped rumors are the same people who shot down Bleeding Cool’s rumors about Iron Fist.
AKA says
I think you are mistaking people commenting in response to an article for people 100% believing an unsubstantiated rumor. What fun would it be if we all just bitched about how unreliable the source was here?
HR says
More fun than bitching about a rumor as if it were true. Reading some of the comments here AKA, I think some of these people really do believe it. When it comes to these Iron Fist rumors, I would like read some at least something that can be corroborated. Like I said before, BC already rode this train and it got shot down weeks ago. It seems ridiculous to me that another site is saying a variation of the same thing with just a little to show for it.
dFunkt jEstr says
I know almost nothing about Iron Fist. But out of him, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage(?) I was looking forward to seeing Iron Fist the most. Seemed interesting.
Getting the punisher is freaking awesome, no doubt. Would kinda like to have ’em both though
cobra5000 says
NOOOO!
Troy Stambaugh says
Iron Fist not a B-Hero? You are an idiot and totally unfamilliar with the comic. First mistake was considering Iron Fist without Luke Cage. Power Man & Iron Fist were an awesome crime fighting duo. Don’t seperate these two. You can always do the back stories on both once the series is successful. Punisher has been done and failed. Both movies sucked terribly and there was no franchise because they were done WRONG. The Punisher is a very dark force and that wasn’t tapped into. Finded the darkest most evil being you can find and cast him as the punisher. Then cast an equally dark actor as his enemy and let them rip the screen apart. But not at the cost of Iron Fist and as I suggested Luke Cage.
Bryan Brooks says
All three movies sucked terribly! Let’s not forget Dolph’s crapfest in the 80’s (It got a 28% compared to the 29% Punisher 1 got and the 27% Punisher 2 got on Rotten Tomatoes).
Tom says
The problem with Punisher movies so far has been simple: a
lack of originality.
All Punisher movies so far have been in a stand-alone universe. No super-heroes or other heroes. Therefore, what you have is a vigilante with a gun. And that was done to death in the 80s. Part of Punisher’s appeal was exploring how the classic gun-toting vigilante would function in a world with classic superheroes. The movies lacked that. And without that, they weren’t anything original (and were all pretty poorly made)
Having said that, a Punisher series set in the MCU might actually work, especially if he’s occasionally up against supers (both heroes and villains). A 13 episode series gives some time to flesh the character out some more, allows you to develop your main antagonist as well, and allows you to establish him in the MCU.
Note that this is separate from whether they should replace
Iron Fist or not. I was never a big Iron Fist fan, but if you have Luke Cage you should have Iron Fist.
Tom says
The problem with Punisher movies so far has been simple: a
lack of originality.
All Punisher movies so far have been in a stand-alone universe. No super-heroes or other heroes. Therefore, what you have is a vigilante with a gun. And that was done to death in the 80s. Part of Punisher’s appeal was exploring how the classic gun-toting vigilante would function in a world with classic superheroes. The movies lacked that. And without that, they weren’t anything original (and were all pretty poorly made)
Having said that, a Punisher series set in the MCU might actually work, especially if he’s occasionally up against supers (both heroes and villains). A 13 episode series gives some time to flesh the character out some more, allows you to develop your main antagonist as well, and allows you to establish him in the MCU.
Note that this is separate from whether they should replace
Iron Fist or not. I was never a big Iron Fist fan, but if you have Luke Cage you should have Iron Fist.
Troy Stambaugh says
Thomas Jane did a good job considering the script was shit.
Troy Stambaugh says
If you are seriously planning to cancel Iron Fist….do West Coast Avengers or Moon Knight. I honestly think Heroes for Hire would be terribly successful. It would certainly be far better than the Heroes Reborn turned out to be.
SkulloManiac says
Just retool Luke Cage and make it a Heroes for Hire show, a “buddy cop” dynamic between Fist and Cage would be highly entertaining.
Darrell Beam says
If Marvel is complaining about budget issues because of special effects related to the mystic side of Iron Fist, then they are full of beans. The Flash regularly uses special effects and still makes a wad of money every week. I cannot imagine that it would cost much more to put Iron Fist on the screen. With that said, it makes one wonder why then? My guess is that Iron Fist has a big history with Dr Strange and they cannot get the movie half to play ball and allow them to use not only Strange, but other magical aspects because it will steal the thunder of the Dr Strange movie.
CalvinballPro says
How the F do you “struggle” with an Iron Fist show? It’s a classic kung-fu-type action/adventure, FCOL. Very much like what they already tried with Daredevil, just with a more personable lead character who is not the traditional modern emo hero.
I’m so tired with this annoying Punisher obsession. He shoots guns and kills people, not my idea of a “superhero”. If I wanted to watch a lazy gun drama, I have plenty of options already.
CalvinballPro says
I (jokingly) take back my previous comment. Marvel’s TV division already has an “Iron Fist”: Ike Perlmutter, the notoriously stingy executive.
GregD says
The very original announcement was for Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, then a Defenders team up. What we have so far is:
Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Daredevil 2 (with Punisher and Elektra), Luke Cage, then it’s open. I could see them sneaking in a Punisher stand-alone, then include him into the mix of the Defenders series which would end Netflix MCU “phase 1”. TV “phase 2” would still include Iron Fist. Phase 2: Iron Fist standalone, Daredevil 3, Jessica Jones 2, and Luke Cage/Iron Fist 2: Heroes for Hire. Defenders 2 could wrap up “phase 2” with all 5 characters.
Of course, they could still proceed as planned. Iron Fist could be released as the final “phase 1” standalone. Defenders could feature the 4 original announced characters. Phase 2 starts with Punisher standalone, then DD 3, JJ2, Heroes for Hire, Defenders 2.
Samuel Ibsen says
This sucks so much if the rumor is true, I was looking forward to Iron Fist.
Luke Cage (Power Man) without Iron Fist just won’t be the same and The Punisher is overrated.
joseph says
I want Iron Fist.
Tyson Bradford says
LOL Look at everyone hate on Punisher! Iron Fist sucks, completely horrible, so horrible he had to be teamed with Luke Cage to be even remotely interesting, Luke Cage a really horrible pimp. IF freaking wears slippers in fights. Come on. I’ll take the worst Punisher story over any IF any day of the week.
Punisher has the better story, better villains and is all around easier to handle than trying to explain how IF became and how all his hokey powers work and somehow not have it be some poor rip off of Kung Fu.
Michel says
Wow lots of love for Iron fist 🙂
Just to make it clear: (sarcasm is not easy on the internet..), I meant what the general reaction to an Iron Fist series would be. Daredevil people may know, but iron fist? The punisher would be a safer bet.
In the eyes of Netflix/Marvel:
Jessica jones is a good choice because it is the first female centered super (!) hero series. Something to attract maybe some female viewers. And perhaps see how a potential miss marvel movie would be received.
Same thing might be true for Luke Cage, (not a whole lot of black super heroes headlining…) and they hope to please a certain audience.
A logical choice, comic wise, would be Iron First, because you already have most of the defenders. But if you can’t make the story work, or it would need a higher budget because of the always needed CGI when he fights, punisher would be a better choice.
Not only do more people actually know who he is, but 1) he is already established in daredevil season 2, 2) they seem to like the actor alot, and 3) guns are cheaper then cgi flaming fists etc.
Anyways, sorry if i offended anyone’s superhero (a lot of sheldons here.. :P). Still i think we have some kind of record amount of comments here on flickering myth, so thats worth something 🙂
Brandon Smith says
I don’t know why fans would want a punisher series more than an iron fist series. Punisher is basically the exact same plot as at least 2 movies that come out every year and numerous tv shows. Guy loses his family and goes on a path of revenge. It’s been done thousands of times before. Possibly tens of thousands. The only thing that makes The Punisher different is that he’s one of the few doing it in the Marvel universe. Unless they plan to make a Punisher TV series that is heavily, heavily tied into other shows and movies, it’s just a revenge story.
Iron Fist, on the other hand, has WAY more potential. There aren’t many, if any, kung fu martial arts television shows in production right now. I would much rather see that than a trench coat wearing tough guy shooting up people in dimly lit warehouses. That just screams generic.
Brandon Smith says
I don’t know why fans would want a punisher series more than an iron fist series. Punisher is basically the exact same plot as at least 2 movies that come out every year and numerous tv shows. Guy loses his family and goes on a path of revenge. It’s been done thousands of times before. Possibly tens of thousands. The only thing that makes The Punisher different is that he’s one of the few doing it in the Marvel universe. Unless they plan to make a Punisher TV series that is heavily, heavily tied into other shows and movies, it’s just a revenge story.
Iron Fist, on the other hand, has WAY more potential. There aren’t many, if any, kung fu martial arts television shows in production right now. I would much rather see that than a trench coat wearing tough guy shooting up people in dimly lit warehouses. That just screams generic.
Danny Deeds says
meh… of all those shows and movies i was looking forward the most for iron fist and now they replace it with some shitty punisher reboot .-. what will powerman be like without iron fist? :s besides daredevil is already dark and tough character in series so who would need another?
Jay Price says
The Punisher can be awesome if done right. If the series is focused less on Frank and his motivations, and more on the secondary characters(villains/law enforcement/casualties) and their story, it will be fine.
Done well(Garth Ennis) Frank is not the story. He is the plot device that causes the action to occur. The way all of these other characters react to his actions is the compelling aspect. The bad guys, and why they are who they are. The government spooks who are tracking him down, and occasionally working with him. The random people caught up in all the violence and crazy. That is where the magic lies, and that is why the other Punisher movies all failed.
That is also why the little short film was so awesome. Frank’s character barely mattered. I don’t even think he had a line, nor a flashback, or any exposition.
Jay Price says
The Punisher can be awesome if done right. If the series is focused less on Frank and his motivations, and more on the secondary characters(villains/law enforcement/casualties) and their story, it will be fine.
Done well(Garth Ennis) Frank is not the story. He is the plot device that causes the action to occur. The way all of these other characters react to his actions is the compelling aspect. The bad guys, and why they are who they are. The government spooks who are tracking him down, and occasionally working with him. The random people caught up in all the violence and crazy. That is where the magic lies, and that is why the other Punisher movies all failed.
That is also why the little short film was so awesome. Frank’s character barely mattered. I don’t even think he had a line, nor a flashback, or any exposition.
Jay Price says
The Punisher can be awesome if done right. If the series is focused less on Frank and his motivations, and more on the secondary characters(villains/law enforcement/casualties) and their story, it will be fine.
Done well(Garth Ennis) Frank is not the story. He is the plot device that causes the action to occur. The way all of these other characters react to his actions is the compelling aspect. The bad guys, and why they are who they are. The government spooks who are tracking him down, and occasionally working with him. The random people caught up in all the violence and crazy. That is where the magic lies, and that is why the other Punisher movies all failed.
That is also why the little short film was so awesome. Frank’s character barely mattered. I don’t even think he had a line, nor a flashback, or any exposition.
Michael Fisher says
Bring on the Punisher, far better
Vos_L says
This would make sense….a Punisher series could be good with the right take on it and Iron Fist could be done justice better as a standalone movie rather than having to fit in with the other crossover series.
mrvicchio says
Punisher. As long as he’s true to his character, not a social justice warrior like the mid 2000’s castle went off being, but back to the roots, “Welcome back Frank” Character. War Zone was BAD Punisher, for example.
BTW Who the hell is iron fist and why should I care about another fist of justice hero. Guns, death, grit… Punishment.
eric says
I remember this article and it has been proven true based on what I’ve seen in Daredevil season 2 and the entire series of Iron Fist. Today, I just read article that cites an Finn Jones interview with the Guardian where Jones said he was only given 2-3 weeks of training for the role.