In their latest issue, Entertainment Weekly spotlights Matt Murdock, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Danny Rand, collectively the stars and heroes of the upcoming Marvel’s The Defenders miniseries on Netflix.
Behind what is, frankly, a rather awful cover (see below), EW offers new photos of the cast (also below). Included in the photos is our first look at the villain of the piece, played by veteran big-screen star Sigourney Weaver. Referred to simply as Alexandra, co-showrunner of the mini Marco Ramirez talked with EW about what made Weaver perfect for the role.
“Sigourney is the kind of person you can buy as the smartest person in the room, who you can also buy as a person holding a flamethrower. Her character is a very powerful force in New York City. She’s everything Sigourney is: sophisticated, intellectual, dangerous.”
In typical Marvel fashion, Ramirez wasn’t able to offer any more about Alexandra, including what, if any, comic counterpart she might have, for fear that they spoil the storyline.
Each of the four main protagonists also sat down for interviews. The interview with Daredevil‘s Charlie Cox is the only one that appears online at the moment. He talks about his journey with Matt Murdock and the nearly 3-year wait to get to the team-up with his fellow co-stars. He admits that he was skeptical of the crossover when he first started, but was surprised at how much people cared and how much people embraced him in the role.
At the start of The Defenders, Matt finds himself devastated at the death of Elektra in Daredevil Season 2 and feels more than a little responsible. Lost and wayward, he’s actually given up his horned headgear as he’s trying to navigate life. It won’t take long, obviously, for him to get drawn together with this cadre of heroes that Cox refers to as a “misfit Scooby gang.”
In a video interview, each actor shared what their character brings to the group.
- Jessica Jones: Krysten Ritter mentions Jessica is the lone wolf who doesn’t play nice with others but is drawn to fiercely help the little guy.
- Luke Cage: Mike Colter says Luke is still trying to find balance between being a man, hoping to find freedom from being incarcerated for a crime he didn’t commit, and being a superhero. Calm, measure, and wisdom are what Colter sees are Luke’s biggest adds to the team.
- Matt Murdock/Daredevil: Cox admits he’s not sure how Daredevil fits into the group yet, but that his opinionated nature should make for fiery interactions with the others, particularly Jessica.
- Danny Rand/Iron Fist: Finn Jones sees Iron Fist as the driving force bringing the group together and the one to push them to “get shit done.”
Finally, head of Marvel TV Jeph Loeb is posed the lingering question once more if the shows will eventually connect with the feature-film side of the MCU. “If the story warrants it, we will obviously do our best to have folks cross into each other’s story lines,” Loeb shared.
EW Defenders Preview - Defenders
The Defenders, Mike Colter as Luke Cage, Charlie Cox as Daredevil, Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones, and Finn Jones as Iron Fist, photographed for Entertainment Weekly on December 10th, 2016, by Finlay Mackay in Brooklyn, New York. Costume Designer: Stephanie Maslansky, Wardrobe Supervisor: Pahelle Latino, Makeup Head: Sarit Klein, Key Makeup Artist: Kaela Dobson, Hair Department Head: Pamela May, FX Makeup: Brian Spears, Prop Stylist: Charlot Malmlof
You can see more behind the scenes of the cover shoot here.
Marvel’s The Defenders is expected to debut this summer.