Luke Cage Star Mike Colter Says He’ll Return to the MCU on 2 Conditions (Exclusive)

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For years, it looked like Netflix’s Marvel shows were finished. But the return of Charlie Cox as Daredevil in Daredevil: Born Again established those series as official parts of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Now, talk of bringing the Defenders – the team of heroes from those shows – back together is gaining traction, and one important actor is eager to join the potential reunion.

At Fan Expo Vancouver, Mike Colter shared his ideas for bringing Luke Cage back into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After speaking on a panel, he told TopMob in an exclusive interview about his discussions with Marvel and what he envisions for the character’s future in Harlem.

Mike Colter starred as Luke Cage in three Netflix series – Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and The Defenders – between 2016 and 2018. Since then, Charlie Cox has reprised his role as Daredevil and Krysten Ritter returned as Jessica Jones within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, most notably in Daredevil: Born Again. This leaves Luke Cage as the only core member of the Defenders team who hasn’t yet appeared in a new Marvel project.

Things might be different soon. Colter has said he’s currently talking with Marvel, but he has two main conditions that would need to be met for him to reprise the role.

TopMob questioned Colter about his earlier statements concerning discussions with Marvel. He verified that those talks are still happening, adding, “I’d really like to return at some point.”

I’ve been in discussions with Marvel about Jessica Jones, and there are still many stories we could explore with her. I really feel like I should have the chance to revisit the role.

This is the clearest statement Colter has made about ongoing discussions with Marvel. He previously hinted at talks in a January 2026 podcast interview with On That Note, simply saying, “I’ve had conversations, and I’ll leave it at that.” Now, he’s confirming those conversations are still happening.

Colter pointed to Jessica Jones’ return as proof that Marvel is acknowledging and building on its previous collaborations with Netflix. Krysten Ritter will appear in the second season of Daredevil: Born Again, set to debut in March 2026. This reunion with Charlie Cox demonstrates Marvel’s dedication to these characters and their stories.

When directly asked if he wished he’d had more to do with the Luke Cage character, Colter confirmed with a definite, “absolutely.”

After finishing Luke Cage, I was eager to take on new challenges. As an actor, I’m always looking for roles that are different, engaging, and a bit intimidating – something unexpected and that really lets me stretch my abilities.

Mike Colter Reveals Two Things He Needs For His MCU Return

The actor shared the two main story directions he’d like to see for his character when he returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When asked by TopMob what he envisions for Luke Cage’s future if Marvel brings him back, he explained his main idea: Luke Cage gaining full control of the Harlem neighborhood.

I’m really interested in seeing how he handles having power and control over the neighborhood, and whether he can make good choices without compromising his own values.

Bringing Luke Cage into the Marvel Cinematic Universe could be a great next step. The second season of the Netflix series showed Luke becoming a pillar of the Harlem community, running a nightclub and trying to manage crime. Unfortunately, the show was canceled before this interesting storyline could be fully developed.

Colter explained that the idea of breaking the law in order to uphold it presents a difficult ethical problem.

I often feel like you sometimes have to break the law to effectively combat crime. Ideally, doing things the right way shouldn’t require illegal actions. However, you often have to meet force with force, and it’s difficult to stop wrongdoing if you aren’t willing to fight back on the same level.

This is similar to the story of Wilson Fisk in Daredevil: Born Again. Fisk controls New York City both as mayor and through his criminal activities. The showrunner wants Luke Cage to grapple with a comparable dilemma: is it possible to lead a community without sacrificing your values?

This idea opens up exciting new possibilities for stories. Unlike characters like Daredevil, who always does what’s ‘right,’ or Jessica Jones, who’s often pessimistic, Luke Cage would be a more practical leader. He’s dedicated to protecting Harlem, but understands that simply being a hero isn’t always enough to get the job done.

Colter also expressed desires for how his character could be portrayed differently in the future. When asked about revisiting Luke Cage, he admitted the show had some inconsistencies over its run and hoped for a fresh approach, distinct from his previous work on the Netflix series.

That’s a great point. I don’t have any say in who writes the show, and each writer naturally brings their own perspective. Because of different writers working on the show over the years, there have been some inconsistencies in the storyline.

Colter admitted it’s difficult to keep everything consistent throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Still, he’s hopeful about how Marvel is tackling the issue.

I can’t reveal where the story is headed, especially considering the Cinematic Universe frequently disregards established rules regarding timelines, powers, and characters. However, I’m hopeful the creators will draw inspiration from the comics and deliver something fans will enjoy.

As an avid moviegoer, I always find it fascinating to hear what actors are really thinking. Colter recently shared his approach to roles, and what struck me was his genuine excitement for characters he doesn’t fully understand at first. He really thrives on the challenge of exploring someone new and different, and that passion definitely comes across in his work.

I’m really drawn to new and challenging experiences. If a role makes me feel uneasy or takes place in a world I don’t fully understand, that’s a good sign for me. After finishing ‘Luke Cage,’ I intentionally took some time before accepting another project. I’ve tried to avoid repeating myself – I don’t usually choose roles that are too similar to things I’ve done before, because that just doesn’t feel creatively fulfilling.

The actor said he’s okay with being out of work for a bit longer, as long as his next role is something new and different.

I’m willing to be patient, even if it means waiting a bit longer for my next job. Sometimes that patience pays off, and I end up working on something new and interesting. I don’t have a clear plan for what’s next, but I’m hoping for something different. So, when an opportunity comes along that feels like a good fit, I go for it – that’s what I’ve been doing.

This clarifies why Colter didn’t rush to reprise his role as Luke Cage. He wanted time to take on other acting opportunities. Now, eight years later, after working on shows like Evil and Plane, the idea of returning to the character feels fresh and appealing, particularly if Marvel develops compelling new storylines for Luke Cage.

Which MCU Project Could Mike Colter Return In?

Luke Cage could reappear in many Marvel Cinematic Universe projects, especially those connected to The Defenders. When asked about returning in a future season of Daredevil: Born Again, a new Luke Cage series, or a potential Jessica Jones project, Colter said all those possibilities are still being considered.

It seems like all options are being considered. There are a lot of different directions they could take Luke Cage’s story, building off of where his and Jessica Jones’ seasons ended, potentially crossing over with Daredevil, and even exploring storylines with Iron Fist. The possibilities are really wide open.

Luke Cage’s adaptability makes him a great asset to Marvel’s more grounded, street-level stories. He has connections to several different Marvel properties; for example, his romantic relationship and subsequent breakup with Jessica Jones were shown on screen. In the comics, they even have a daughter together, Danielle. Given that Krysten Ritter is reprising her role as Jessica Jones, bringing Luke and Jessica back together would feel natural and logical for the story.

The Daredevil: Born Again storyline is excellent. Mayor Fisk’s crackdown on masked heroes impacts every hero in New York City. With Luke Cage working in Harlem and Fisk running City Hall, a compelling conflict naturally arises.

The second season of Luke Cage provides a great starting point for a continuation. It concluded with Luke managing Harlem’s Paradise, a business operating in the space between legal enterprise and crime, which naturally sets up compelling new stories without needing a lot of introductory explanation.

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2026-02-19 18:08