Luke Cage Luke Cage General Discussion Thread

[Endeavor]

I gotta say, I don't like how that looks.
The end product might look better but so far it looks slightly less jarring than AoS' Deathlok

 

[BarryAllen]

There is new set pictures of the final.

Big spoiler:
http://mcuexchange.com/luke-cage-fights-spoiler-in-latest-set-photos/

Spoiler

Since when Stryker is in this?

On imdb, it's mentioned that Erik LaRay Harvey was cast, and it's been there for a while. It's probably something Marvel intended to surprise announce at comic-con, like they did for the castings of Ben Urich, Wesley and Leland Owlsely during the first season of Daredevil.

I gotta say, I don't like how that looks.
The end product might look better but so far it looks slightly less jarring than AoS' Deathlok

I have to agree with this. Not only does it look like something that came out of Agents of SHIELD, why the tech upgrade? Especially in the Netflix realm? It'll be very jarring due to the grounded tone of most of the shows. I'd prefer we got a non-powered drug-lord Willis Stryker who is menacing by being able to stand up to Cage even without powers.

 

[metaphysician]

And how exactly would he do that? All the menace in the world isn't going to make his bullets hit harder. You could have the drama come from being socially untouchable, but that doesn't exactly lead to a good finale.

For all the talk of being "grounded", the Netflix shows aren't really focused on such. They are gritty, low level stories. . . in a world filled with ninja clans, genetic anomalies, and magical powers. A crime boss, discovering he's got a bullet proof vigilante after him, buying some black market powered armor? Fits just fine.

 

[RockSP]

And how exactly would he do that? All the menace in the world isn't going to make his bullets hit harder. You could have the drama come from being socially untouchable, but that doesn't exactly lead to a good finale.

For all the talk of being "grounded", the Netflix shows aren't really focused on such. They are gritty, low level stories. . . in a world filled with ninja clans, genetic anomalies, and magical powers. A crime boss, discovering he's got a bullet proof vigilante after him, buying some black market powered armor? Fits just fine.

^^Yep. Having a problem with this is like having a problem with Crossbones using tech to fight Cap in Civil War. And I don't see how Stryker's outfit is any stranger than Matt's red long johns.

 

[BarryAllen]

And how exactly would he do that? All the menace in the world isn't going to make his bullets hit harder. You could have the drama come from being socially untouchable, but that doesn't exactly lead to a good finale.

Then how do you think they plan on making Cottonmouth a viable threat to Cage?

^^Yep. Having a problem with this is like having a problem with Crossbones using tech to fight Cap in Civil War. And I don't see how Stryker's outfit is any stranger than Matt's red long johns.

I guess it's more of a matter on how they plan on introducing the power armor. Hopefully it's not inorganic to rest of the storylines they have and hopefully it doesn't come across as cheesy or cheap like certain elements on Agents of Shield or even Arrow (I've seen people compare this to Diggle's Magneto helmet). Even the finale of Daredevil Season 1 felt a little out of place with the rest of the season, and I wouldn't want that repeated here.

Anyone think this might be Cage's final outfit?

It has yellow as a nod to his comic costume but still fits the Netflix realm (plus no tiara!).

 

[chamber-music]

Stryker does have specially-gimmicked knives that exploded, released toxic gases or created sonic waves in the comics. All of those things could harm Cage.

Luke is still vulnerable in all sorts of ways. People think because he can be shot, burned or punched out that he is unstoppable.

Cage can still be poisoned, suffocated, electrocuted, blown up, mind controlled, be harmed by sonic or energy based attacks.

Cage has been taken out by all of those things I mentioned in the comics.

I think as these Netflix shows go on they may go more into the comic book high concept direction.

 

[Pokkle]

or even Arrow (I've seen people compare this to Diggle's Magneto helmet).

Diggle don't have a real helmet, he only have a half helmet like a kid for halloween.

This one is way better.

 

[Wylie Times]

I'm glad to hear this series isn't going to be shying away from various social issues. I've said before it'd be a cop out for them to shy away from it in this show after everything they've done in both seasons of Daredevil and Jessica Jones.

 

[redlion2]

I don't have that big of a problem with the way Diamondback looks. His suit is fairly comic accurate, except for the helmet obviously, and I can understand the idea that he may be using some form of tech to help compensate against Luke's super strength.

 

[Hypestyle]

nice set photos. Nice to see Stryker is a villain. Whether he's the big bad or not we'll see, I guess.

 

[Random490]

Anyone think this might be Cage's final outfit?

It has yellow as a nod to his comic costume but still fits the Netflix realm (plus no tiara!).

I don't know, I could see it almost as a version of his "black mask" suit. A part of me feels like they'll be adding yellow to his wardrobe for major scenes whenever they can.

 

[Wack Panther]

I don't have that big of a problem with the way Diamondback looks. His suit is fairly comic accurate, except for the helmet obviously, and I can understand the idea that he may be using some form of tech to help compensate against Luke's super strength.

Agreed. There is enough similar motifs to see where they drew inspiration. The green jumpsuit has diamond shaped quilt textures on the side, emulating his snakeskin suit from the comics. The yellow undershirt with the horizontal lines also calls back to his original look. And if you really try hard enough, the helmet gives the "flat top" shape to his head as well. I'm sure he'll get his name from that diamond shaped tech on his back too...

Albiet he looks a bit more militaristic rather than like a street pimp in a snakeskin get-up. And I don't see any reference to his knives either, but that's not to say we won't see something like that. I'm assuming this suit has some sort of advantage over Cage, but I have no idea how...

 

[killface]

I'm glad to hear this series isn't going to be shying away from various social issues. I've said before it'd be a cop out for them to shy away from it in this show after everything they've done in both seasons of Daredevil and Jessica Jones.

Yeah. Netflix not going for the race and social issues associated with character would be strange especially since Jessica Jones vividly portrayed violence against women and its lingering effects on the female psyche.

 

[BarryAllen]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFZYuEcNthJ/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFZXBKgxxam/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFZhAxqPPNn/

Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad wrap up scoring for Luke Cage. This is from the second link:

One particular executive, on the project, noted that this is the best music she has ever heard on television period. Hopefully we made a mark and I can't wait for you all to experience this.

Excited to see what they do.

 

[RockSP]

^^WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???? He says Cage is marvel's first black superhero in one of those Instagram links. He obviously doesn't respect the history of comics so I'm going to boycott this show and start a smear campaign against him all across social media. This guy has officially ruined the marvel universe!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!

 

[spidey-dude]

Why would you buy dd dvd if you already subscribe to netflix? Don't know why anyone would bother to buy dvd's anymore at all. Gave all mine away.

good for you

I would like all the netflix marvel shows on bluray to go along with my MCU bluray movies

 

[sabetoonth]

And if you buy it on Blu-ray, you get to keep it in case your subscription ends or Netflix goes belly up

 

[The Overlord]

nice set photos. Nice to see Stryker is a villain. Whether he's the big bad or not we'll see, I guess.

Considering the actors for Mariah and Cottonmouth are more high profile and have gotten more press, I don't think Diamondback is going great to be the Big Bad. I bet he will be one of Cottonmouth's goons instead.

 

[spidey-dude]

And if you buy it on Blu-ray, you get to keep it in case your subscription ends or Netflix goes belly up

exactly! I was thinking of cancelling my Netflix subscription recently actually as other than Netflix originals (marvel shows, hosue of cards, orange new black etc) we watch Hulu far more - I would also like to actually own them instead

 

[BarryAllen]

Considering the actors for Mariah and Cottonmouth are more high profile and have gotten more press, I don't think Diamondback is going great to be the Big Bad. I bet he will be one of Cottonmouth's goons instead.

It does make me wonder, why isn't Diamondback the main villain? They easily could've fleshed him out, and he's pretty intertwined with Luke's origin. It's kind of weird seeing Kingpin, Purple Man, Harold Meachum for the other shows (all big villains in the worlds of their respective heroes), and we ended up getting... Cornell Cottonmouth and Black Mariah.

However, I don't think he'll be one of Cottonmouth's goons:

1)Looks like Shades is filling that role. You can see him standing next to Cottonmouth in the set photo (Also kinda weird we haven't heard anything about Comanche since him and Shades used to do the villain work for hire thing together in the books)

2)Looks like he'll have a presence throughout the series. Looking at the imdb cast list (which had Eric LaRay Harvey mentioned before the set pictures came out), it mentions Diamondback being in all 13 episodes as well as Michael Kostroff playing Dr. Burnstein in 4. Not to mention, Marvel's official press release had this description for Shades:

Theo Rossi (“Sons of Anarchy,” “Bad Hurt&#8221 has joined the cast as Shades, a ruthless criminal with ties to Cage’s mysterious past.

Ties to Cage's past? That's referencing his time as part of the Rivals gang with Cage, Stryker and Comanche.

3)The set photos look like a finale. You have a crowd of people surrounding Cage and Stryker's one on one fight, with Claire Temple and Misty Knight in the crowd smiling. Misty and Rafael Scarfe's main journey and investigation throughout this season is learning about who Luke is. According to one of the earlier leaked set photos,

Spoiler

it looks Rafael Scarfe gets shot at and dies (sad because I've always liked his interactions with the Heroes for Hire characters in the books)

and this is Misty coming full circle and realizing Luke was a hero all along. The crowd surrounding them emphasizes Luke turning into the community hero in Harlem, something that would come near the end of the series.

Stryker won't be the big bad, but he won't be Cottonmouth's goon either. I'm thinking he's a criminal or drug lord in his own right (having the resources/money to get his own power suit or haven stolen one), and all of the Rivals have broken up and gone their own way, with Shades now working for Cottonmouth, Luke having been framed and gone to prison and something having happened to Comanche (maybe he's dead now and that's why we haven't gotten any casting). Cage will discover Cottonmouth's criminal activities during his night shift as a dishwasher for Cottonmouth's club and find out it's related to the heroin Willis Stryker used to get him framed and sent to prison. Cage will follow this lead and join Cottonmouth's gang in order to find out more and etc. Eventually Cottonmouth will realize that Cage is a traitor and will send people after him, leading to Cage how we see him in the below set photo and eventually Cage and Cottonmouth into conflict. As this all happens, we'll be seeing Cage piecing together how he got sent to jail and the whereabouts of Stryker, whether it be through flashbacks or in present day. Throw in Mariah being Cottonmouth's cousin, her political exploits, Claire and her mother's storyline as well as Misty and Rafael's investigation and that's a show right there.

And that's why I think Cottonmouth and Black Mariah were cast with more prominent actors. They'll essentially be the 'main' villains, but Stryker will be in the background and an endgame for Cage (and we'll see a lot of him in flashbacks, and an eventual confrontation). That would also explain why Parisa Fitz-Henley is reprising her role as Reva Connors (I think we'll see her in flashbacks with interactions with Cage and Stryker). And just speculating, I think Stryker will get killed off at the end, but Cottonmouth and Black Mariah necesitate bigger name actors because they could possibly return in the future (what's a street level universe without a crime boss and a corrupt politician?).

 

[Dasher10]

It does make me wonder, why isn't Diamondback the main villain? They easily could've fleshed him out, and he's pretty intertwined with Luke's origin. It's kind of weird seeing Kingpin, Purple Man, Harold Meachum for the other shows (all big villains in the worlds of their respective heroes), and we ended up getting... Cornell Cottonmouth and Black Mariah.

However, I don't think he'll be one of Cottonmouth's goons:

1)Looks like Shades is filling that role. You can see him standing next to Cottonmouth in the set photo (Also kinda weird we haven't heard anything about Comanche since him and Shades used to do the villain work for hire thing together in the books)

2)Looks like he'll have a presence throughout the series. Looking at the imdb cast list (which had Eric LaRay Harvey mentioned before the set pictures came out), it mentions Diamondback being in all 13 episodes as well as Michael Kostroff playing Dr. Burnstein in 4. Not to mention, Marvel's official press release had this description for Shades:



Ties to Cage's past? That's referencing his time as part of the Rivals gang with Cage, Stryker and Comanche.

3)The set photos look like a finale. You have a crowd of people surrounding Cage and Stryker's one on one fight, with Claire Temple and Misty Knight in the crowd smiling. Misty and Rafael Scarfe's main journey and investigation throughout this season is learning about who Luke is. According to one of the earlier leaked set photos,

Spoiler

it looks Rafael Scarfe gets shot at and dies (sad because I've always liked his interactions with the Heroes for Hire characters in the books)

and this is Misty coming full circle and realizing Luke was a hero all along. The crowd surrounding them emphasizes Luke turning into the community hero in Harlem, something that would come near the end of the series.

Stryker won't be the big bad, but he won't be Cottonmouth's goon either. I'm thinking he's a criminal or drug lord in his own right (having the resources/money to get his own power suit or haven stolen one), and all of the Rivals have broken up and gone their own way, with Shades now working for Cottonmouth, Luke having been framed and gone to prison and something having happened to Comanche (maybe he's dead now and that's why we haven't gotten any casting). Cage will discover Cottonmouth's criminal activities during his night shift as a dishwasher for Cottonmouth's club and find out it's related to the heroin Willis Stryker used to get him framed and sent to prison. Cage will follow this lead and join Cottonmouth's gang in order to find out more and etc. Eventually Cottonmouth will realize that Cage is a traitor and will send people after him, leading to Cage how we see him in the below set photo and eventually Cage and Cottonmouth into conflict. As this all happens, we'll be seeing Cage piecing together how he got sent to jail and the whereabouts of Stryker, whether it be through flashbacks or in present day. Throw in Mariah being Cottonmouth's cousin, her political exploits, Claire and her mother's storyline as well as Misty and Rafael's investigation and that's a show right there.

And that's why I think Cottonmouth and Black Mariah were cast with more prominent actors. They'll essentially be the 'main' villains, but Stryker will be in the background and an endgame for Cage (and we'll see a lot of him in flashbacks, and an eventual confrontation). That would also explain why Parisa Fitz-Henley is reprising her role as Reva Connors (I think we'll see her in flashbacks with interactions with Cage and Stryker). And just speculating, I think Stryker will get killed off at the end, but Cottonmouth and Black Mariah necesitate bigger name actors because they could possibly return in the future (what's a street level universe without a crime boss and a corrupt politician?).

I still feel like Cottonmouth and Black Mariah are ultimately weak villain choices. Chemistro, Atlas and Nightshade have always been Luke's best villains.

Chemistro and Atlas because they're actually physical threats since the only real ways to kill Luke Cage are to light him on fire, damage his organs internally or bludgeon him to death. Chemistro can do the former two. Nightshade is a psychological threat who tests Luke's marriage to Jessica.

Nightshade shouldn't appear until Luke is married with a daughter but I feel like Atlas and Chemistro were missed opportunities. If the show gets high enough ratings to warrant a Season 2, then we need at least two of these.

 

[chamber-music]

I still feel like Cottonmouth and Black Mariah are ultimately weak villain choices. Chemistro, Atlas and Nightshade have always been Luke's best villains.

Chemistro and Atlas because they're actually physical threats since the only real ways to kill Luke Cage are to light him on fire, damage his organs internally or bludgeon him to death. Chemistro can do the former two. Nightshade is a psychological threat who tests Luke's marriage to Jessica.

That isn't true. Cage is fireproof. Cage is plenty vulnerable in a lot of other ways though. He can be electrocuted, poisoned, suffocated, mind controlled, be harmed by sonic or energy based attacks and blown up with a big enough amount of explosives.

I own a ton of Cage comics and all of the above things I mentioned have been used to nearly kill or incapacitate him.

I think they choose Black Mariah because they are turning her into a kind corrupt or morally compromised local politician that is probably trying to 'improve' the neighborhood through shady means. Writers love their parallels. Luke becoming a hero trying to save the neighborhood his way will run counter to Mariah Dillard trying to save the neighborhood her dubious way.

The Bushmaster family and Hardcore are some of Luke's strong villains in my opinion. If we get another season I hope they are antagonists.

Chemistro is probably too comic booky for these Netflix shows.

 

[ernesth100]

So, am I the only one expecting an episode where Cage is poisoned since he cant be hurt physically and runs into that nursed that helped Daredevil.

 

[Gamma Goliath]

Thats basically a retread of what happened in jessica jones

 

[BarryAllen]

So, am I the only one expecting an episode where Cage is poisoned since he cant be hurt physically and runs into that nursed that helped Daredevil.

Yeah, that kinda happened already in Jessica Jones. But don't worry, Claire will play a big role in the show (as expected - she's one of his love interests in the books). There's been plenty of set photos showing them together.

Not to mention, the official press release mentions her blossoming friendship with Luke Cage will have a major impact on both characters’ lives (and they're introducing her mom played by Sonia Braga).

And who knows? Maybe they'll even get together.