The showrunner for Netflix’s Luke Cage has talked about how to run a series that exists inside the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Netflix corner of the MCU is almost like a franchise within a franchise and while there are certainly complications and difficulties that arise from this, Luke Cage showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker has said it’s been a mostly smooth experience:
“One of the things that [Executive Vice President of Marvel TV Jeph Loeb] said is that, he described the Marvel television way as kind of an eight- or nine-lane highway,” Coker told Variety.
“That means you can drive, you can cross lines, and if you hit a guardrail, they’ll let you know. And that’s really what it is. It’s not that we plan so succinctly with all the shows, but any time we kind of are interfering with things that could affect the other shows, we let each other know. And it’s been that way since the very beginning.”
One example Coker gives is the casting for Luke Cage when he made his debut in Jessica Jones, saying that Jessica Jones showrunner Melissa Rosenberg had final say but that he was consulted.
SEE ALSO: Luke Cage showrunner talks Iron Fist’s season 2 guest role, and criticism of the character
“[It’s] not my Luke Cage. It’s Marvel’s Luke Cage,” Coker said. “[Marvel] understands the power of their brand. They’re very particular about the brand, period. As a result, they’re very involved in protecting what the brand is. So the trick is to create a singular experience but at the same time work within that framework. So what I’ve learned is just be very communicative.”
Coker also commented on where other franchises are failing when trying to copy the Marvel shared universe formula: “I think that’s the problem with people trying to build these universes. You wouldn’t want to hear from Method Man or Ghostface if the first Wu Tang album wasn’t hot. So build your foundation, then invite people into your house. So I think the problem with some of these other properties that are trying to copy Marvel and failed is they say, ‘OK, we’re going to come out with these five properties like this.’ It’s like, the one drops and then the whole thing falls apart, instead of focusing on making one thing the best it can be and then spinning off from that.”
SEE ALSO: Misty and Colleen get into a bar fight in Luke Cage season 2 clip
After clearing his name, Luke Cage has become a celebrity on the streets of Harlem with a reputation as bulletproof as his skin. But being so visible has only increased his need to protect the community and find the limits of who he can and can’t save. With the rise of a formidable new foe, Luke is forced to confront the fine line that separates a hero from a villain.
Luke Cage season 2 is set to arrive on Netflix on June 22nd and features a cast that includes Mike Colter (Luke Cage), Simone Missick (Misty Knight), Rosario Dawson (Claire Temple), Alfre Woodard (Mariah Dillard), Theo Rossi (Shades), Finn Jones (Iron Fist), Jessica Henwick (Colleen Wing), Thomas Q. Jones (Comanche), Gabrielle Dennis (Tilda Johnson), Mustafa Shakir (John McIver/Bushmaster), Reg E. Cathey (James Lucas) and Anabella Sciorra (Rosalie Carbone).
