Mike Colter played Marvel Television and Netflix'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 now free to do what it likes with Power Man and company.
We've seen the return of Charlie Cox as Daredevil and Vincent D'Onofrio as The Kingpin, but beyond that, it's hard to say how many characters will be recast or simply left on the shelf.
Luke Cage has a tonne of potential, but as Colter was always something of a divisive choice, replacing the 46-year-old with a younger actor who is more in line with the comic book version of the Hero for Hire perhaps makes the most sense. As it happens, potentially bidding farewell to the role isn't something the actor will be losing any sleep over!
"It's one of those things where it's in the rearview mirror at this point," he says in the video below. "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."
Five years on, and we're guessing that Colter might have reached the end of his tether when it comes to being asked about his possible future as the Marvel Comics character. He doesn't seem to be anticipating getting a call from Marvel Studios, but if it is going to happen, then we'd guess it will be for 2024's Daredevil: Born Again.
What are your hopes for Luke Cage in the MCU moving forward?