Iron Fist & Luke Cage

[GreenScar]

Ray Park is one of those guys who’s just awesome. You’d think a man hits his peak of awesomeness playing Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, arguably becoming the best part of the prequel trilogy, but Ray proved that there’s no upper limit on that scale.

Since then, the lifelong martial artist has played Toad in the first X-Men film and more recently can be seen (kind of) playing Snake Eyes in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. As Snakes Eyes, he didn’t even have to speak, let alone show his face, to be the star of the film, and many want a sequel just to see more of his action sequences.

But there’s another character he should have played but never got a chance to. That character is of course, Iron Fist and he still might get his chance…

Park has long been speculated to play the part of Danny Rand, the Marvel comics hero known as Iron Fist. I can’t even remember how long this thing has been on IMDB with Ray Park’s name attached. Park was supposed to do the film back in 2001 for Artisan Entertainment but it didn’t work out and Marvel Studios got back the rights to the character.

At Chicago Comic-Con, Mr. Park was in attendance and a fan asked him what his dream role would be.

Fortunately, with Marvel Studios finally up and running and in full production with a lineup of massive films for the next few years, their production capacity is planned to increase in the near future to start covering some of the other many characters in Marvel’s massive roster.

Many fans have wondered - when are we going to see Iron Fist? According to Park, when it happens, it’ll likely be a team-up film with Luke Cage. This is interesting since Cage has been a character rumored about frequently online as well.

It’s a great idea to turn two characters that might not make for bankable solo films and combine them into something that could be. For us Park fans, it’s even better to see him get a good solid acting role with some real face time.

For those who don’t know, Heroes for Hire is a Marvel team-up comic that featured the characters of Luke Cage and Iron Fist. In the story, Heroes for Hire, Inc. was initially a small business owned by Cage and Rand in New York that worked as an investigation/protection service.

Since then, the series has taken on different rosters of characters but the original is what Park is referring to. I think a project like this would be a great idea and why not have another team-up film other than The Avengers? Introducing these characters here could help expand the roster for a future Avengers film as Captain America and Luke Cage are pretty good pals with their team-up in the massive Civil War storyline, and Iron Fist along with Cage have been key parts of the New Avengers.

Here’s a little bit about the two heroes:

* Iron Fist is one of the greatest unarmed fighters in the world, having mastered many martial arts and their accompanying weapons. For his superhero ability, he possesses the power of the Iron Fist which allows him to control Chi energy, augmenting all of his natural abilities and making him unstoppable for a time but it cannot be used continuously. His big move involves channeling the Chi into his fist, wrapping it in energy so he can really lay down the pain. Iron Fist can also his his ability to heal himself and others.
* Luke Cage on the other hand, possesses super-human strength and endurance. As a result of an experiment, his skin was enhanced to the point where it is almost unbreakable and he can be shot at without damage. Unfortunately for him, he can still feel the pain of all attacks on him and his internal structure is a fragile as any regular person.

Both characters are very cool and if this film helps make them known to the mainstream, it could help kickstart their involvement in future Marvel films or even their own solo films. I also expect that with Marvel Studios in creative control, we’d likely get some cool cameos from the other characters already being introduced in the upcoming movies.

Would you like to see Park as Danny Rand and how about a Heroes for Hire movie? Who should play Luke Cage?

So what do you guys think? Is Ray Park ready to headline a movie? Who should play Luke Cage? Is the best idea to have the two heroes together?

[doctorD]

I remember hearing a while back (years ago) that Tyrese Gibson was being prepped to play Luke Cage. Is that still the case?

[STARSCREAM]

Bring it!! By the way, Ray Park is so awesome!

[GreenScar]

Originally Posted by doctorD

I remember hearing a while back (years ago) that Tyrese Gibson was being prepped to play Luke Cage. Is that still the case?

I think it was a lot like with Ray Park. He's putting his name out there and hoping it sticks.

[doctorD]

Originally Posted by GreenScar

I think it was a lot like with Ray Park. He's putting his name out there and hoping it sticks.

ahh...ok. I really hope Ray get's to play Iron Fist. I guess we'll have to see what happens for both actors and these roles.

[cflames89]

This makes sense. Neither one is big enough to carry a solo film, so let them have their team-up and see what happens.

[Moefiz]

Two very unknown characters in the Marvel Universe...

I would love for this movie to get off the ground....

[clownface]

I would like to see Ray Park as Iron Fist and I would prefer Michael Jai White as Luke Cage.

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by doctorD

I remember hearing a while back (years ago) that Tyrese Gibson was being prepped to play Luke Cage. Is that still the case?

Yea thats the big buzz that Tyrese will play him, but he hasnt commited himself to the job yet. I hope he does it!! That would be tight!

[MCT]

this has the potential to be really, really awesome.

[Diesel]

Tyrese and Ray Park for the roles


Park does have some serious amounts of awesome.

[adh56]

Originally Posted by clownface

I would like to see Ray Park as Iron Fist and I would prefer Michael Jai White as Luke Cage.

That sounds got to me

[doctorD]

Originally Posted by clownface

I would like to see Ray Park as Iron Fist and I would prefer Michael Jai White as Luke Cage.

Now I hadn't thought about him but he would be a great fit as Luke!

[MCT]

Mike is an awesome martial artist but he is one of the worst actors in the history of Western civilization. You guys can't be serious. Have you seen Spawn?

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by MCT

Mike is an awesome martial artist but he is one of the worst actors in the history of Western civilization. You guys can't be serious. Have you seen Spawn?

Yea Tyrese is easily a better choice!

[MCT]

that's a giant fail, as well. Tyrese is terrible too! They should find a young unknown guy who is skilled in the martial arts and has some semblance of acting chops. And yes, Luke Cage must be black.

[khan1670]

I love Ray as an action guy who does great stunt work.

.....but really? Isn't there a reason he barely has any lines in any of his movies?

Not really a great actor either and you need good actors especially for lesser known characters like Cage and Iron Fist.

[GreenScar]

So Cage is a martial artist as well? I thought he was a brawler.

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by MCT

that's a giant fail, as well. Tyrese is terrible too! They should find a young unknown guy who is skilled in the martial arts and has some semblance of acting chops. And yes, Luke Cage must be black.

I disagree! Tyrese would be the perfect Luke Cage!

[apollo92178]

Man, just think Power Man & Iron Fist, directed by Quantin Tarantino and with some serious funk music from the 70's as a soundtrack. Have Beyonce as in it as Danny Rand girlfriend, some cool cameos from star like Antonio Vargas and sweet easter eggs refering to other Marvel character in this genre like Shang-Chi, Cloak & Dagger! This has loads of potential!!!!

Oh and throw in Michael Clark Duncan as the Kingpin. ohh weee