Production got under way on Netflix’sThe Defendersback in November, with a number ofset photosalready giving fans their first look at characters such as Night Nurse (Rosario Dawson), Luke Cage (Mike Colter), Iron Fist (Finn Jones), Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) and Daredevil (Charlie Cox), just to name a few. The series is expected to debut at some point this year, but while we wait for the trailer, EW has released their new cover for this week’s print issue, which features all ofThe Defendersassembled together. We also have details from showrunnerMarco Ramirez, plus a video from the cover shoot.
TheEntertainment Weeklycover features all four of theseHell’s Kitchenheroes standing atop a New York City taxicab. We also get a glimpse at Danny Rand’s intricateIron Fisttattoo on his chest. The site spoke with co-showrunnerMarco Ramirez, who, along withDouglas Petriealso served as showrunners onDaredevilSeason 2, before taking over onThe Defenders. When asked about how these four heroes meet, the showrunner had this to say.
“Every one of them is following their own trail of bread crumbs, trying to unpack a mystery in New York. We wanted them all caught off guard. Once they’re in that room together, it’s kind of like, ‘Oh, s-, who are you?'”
When all four of these shows were announced asMarvel Netflixshows back in November 2013, it was confirmed that each of these heroes would come together forThe Defendersmini-series, which would span anywhere between four and eight episodes, although the episode count has yet to be confirmed. It was also noted that these shows will be set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it seems that the MCU’s biggest movie, 2012’sThe Avengers, helped inspire this small-screen extension sometimes referred to as the Hell’s Kitchen Avengers. Marvel TV headJeph Loebrevealed that the inspiration forThe Defenderscame in 2013 after he was watchingThe Avengersfor the fifth time. He thought about creating a TV show focusing on “Marvel’s lesser-known heroes who have long populated the streets of New York.” Here’s whatJeph Loebhad to say, teasing how this mini-series very well could end.
“The Defendersdidn’t have a ‘D’ on their belt buckles and aDefenders Tower. We agreed from the very beginning that these folks could at the very end go, ‘I never want to see your face again.'”
EW also released the first look atSigourney Weaveras the villainous Alexandra, although showrunnerMarco Ramirezwouldn’t reveal any details about her character. He wouldn’t even say who this villain is working for, but he did have nothing but praise forSigourney Weaver, while teasing that her character represents a threat big enough that would warrant all of these heroes working together. Here’s what he had to say below.
“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. I’m sorry. I can only say a bunch of adjectives right now. We knew it would take something massive to pull these four characters from their individual worlds to work together, but also small enough that it felt like it existed in our world.”
EW has also released nine more photos, along with a video from their cover shoot, withKrysten Ritterdescribing herJessica Jonescharacter as an “anti-superhero” who protects the people she loves.Charlie Coxthinks the most interesting thing aboutDaredevilis that he has a disability, whileMike ColterandFinn Jonesbreak down their characters.Charlie Coxalso teased that he has no idea howDaredevilwill interact with the rest ofThe Defendersquite yet, although he thinks there could be an interesting connection with the fiery and opinionatedJessica Jones. Take a look at EW’s new cover featuringThe Defendersalong with the cover shoot video and the other new photos below.
players.brightcove.net/219646971/default_default/index.html?videoId=5277068392001
