It appears that Iron Fist star Jessica Henwick was aware of the whitewashing controversy surrounding the casting process for Marvel’s final Defenders origin story, as she reveals it did make her questions whether to take on a role in the series.
“It was a hard decision to make to join the show,” said Henwick in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “Not because of the material or anything. But I’m part of the Asian community. I’m Asian. I’m an actor. If anyone understands the conversation, it’s me. I’ve lived and breathed it.”
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Henwick has previously showed her support for Finn Jones in the lead role as Danny Rand, stating that “he smashes it out of the park.”
Fifteen years after being presumed dead in a plane crash, Danny Rand (Finn Jones) mysteriously returns to New York City determined to reclaim his birthright and family company. However, when a long-destined enemy rises in New York, this living weapon is forced to choose between his family’s legacy and his duties as the Iron Fist.
Marvel’s Iron Fist sees Finn Jones (Game of Thrones) leading the cast as Danny Rand alongside Jessica Henwick (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) as Colleen Wing, David Wenham (The Lord of the Rings) as Harold Meachum, Jessica Stroup (90210) as Joy Meachum, Tom Pelphrey (Banshee) as Ward Meachum, Rosario Dawson (Daredevil) as Claire Temple, Carrie-Anne Moss (Jessica Jones) as Jeri Hogarth, Wai Ching Go (Daredevil) as Madame Gao and Lewis Tan (Mortal Kombat: Legacy) as Zhou Cheng.
Originally published March 27, 2017. Updated November 30, 2022.
