Mike Colter starred in Marvel Television's Luke Cage from 2015 to 2018 and, like the rest of those heroes, his time as the character reached an abrupt end amid a wave of cancellations. That was Netflix's way of responding to the launch of Disney+, but after a couple of years of waiting, Marvel Studios is free to do what it likes with Power Man and company.
The Defenders TV shows are supposedly considered "canon" to the wider MCU and, with Charlie Cox and Jon Bernthal reprising their roles as Daredevil and The Punisher in 2025's Born Again, could Colter eventually join them as Power Man?
The actor was always something of a divisive choice, and replacing the 47-year-old with a younger lead more in line with the comic book version of the character perhaps makes the most sense. For what it's worth, Colter remains open to playing Cage again, even if he isn't exactly waiting with bated breath for Marvel Studios' call.
Saying he'd return "only if it doesn't affect my schedule in a way that I can't do another season of Evil," the actor told ComicBook.com that he "would totally entertain a good script and idea that made sense."
"I don't stay up at night thinking about it, nor do I recall it unless someone brings it up," Colter admitted. "But I enjoyed my time. I don't look in the past. If something comes up, great, we'll talk about it. But right now, I'm [past it]."
Marvel Studios doesn't appear to have any serious plans for Luke Cage and Iron Fist, though Jessica Jones is also expected to appear in Daredevil: Born Again. Looking to the future, rebooting the Heroes for Hire in their own team-up movie with new lead stars seems like the surest way of guaranteeing success for them in the MCU.
"It's one of those things where it's in the rearview mirror at this point," Colter said last January of a possible return. "If somehow I get a call, my dance card is kind of full."
Adding that he enjoyed his time as Power Man, Colter went on to address the possibility of being replaced as Luke Cage in the MCU. "If I get a call, something happens, great. I had a good time...I'm happy, more than happy, to let someone else take on that mantle or that role. That character's living on for a long time."
"Fans are going to have that character in one way, shape, or form for the rest of their lives," he continued, "and I'm happy to have been a part of that for those guys."
What are your hopes for Luke Cage in the MCU moving forward? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.