The Marvel Cinematic Universe has already cast a new version of Iron Fist; however, due to how the character fits in the franchise, the door remains open for Finn Jones to return as Danny Rand, and it even appears likely that it could happen soon. Jones became famous for playing the Marvel hero in Netflix’s The Defenders Saga, leading his own show and appearing in others.
Sadly, out of the Marvel series on Netflix, Iron Fist was the most ill-received. That said, many fans believe to this day that Jones could contribute positively to the MCU’s slate of releases under different circumstances. Well, while a new Iron Fist recently made their MCU debut, Jones could still appear in an upcoming Marvel series that would see him team up with old friends.
Why Finn Jones’ Danny Rand Is Still Likely To Return As Iron Fist In The MCU
Finn Jones’ Danny Rand showing off the Iron Fist
Ever since Netflix cancelled the shows in The Defenders Saga, Iron Fist has yet to return in a live-action MCU series or movie. Be it the Danny Rand version of the character portrayed by Jones or the Colleen Wing Iron Fist made famous by Jessica Henwick, Marvel has not moved forward with the hero in live-action. However, animation is an entirely different topic.
A new Iron Fist debuted in 2025’s Eyes of Wakanda, an animated spinoff series of the MCU’s Black Panther movie franchise that explored the rich history of the nation of Wakanda in the shared universe. It was in that show that the Iron Fist known as Jorani, voiced by Jona Xiao (The Flash), made her debut. The character is no threat to Danny Rand’s MCU future.
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Eyes of Wakanda follows the stories of Wakandans in what proves to be an energetic and vibrant series depicting the MCU’s most fascinating Kingdom.
While Marvel has cast a new Iron Fist, Jorani exists in the franchise’s past, with her Eyes of Wakanda storyline taking place in 1400 AD. The character’s role serves to get fans reacquainted with Iron Fist’s lore and see the hero’s potential through intelligent dialogue and visually stunning action scenes. If anything, Jorani sets the groundwork for Danny Rand’s return.
Why Finn Jones’ Danny Rand Is Still Likely To Return As Iron Fist In The MCU
As for Danny Rand’s live-action future in the MCU, while recasting remains an option, I’m convinced we have not yet heard the last about Finn Jones. The actor has been sharing Iron Fist teases on social media for some time now, and with Luke Cage actor Mike Colter changing his tune from being done with the hero to having had talks with Marvel, the gang might be getting back together.
A Defenders reunion in the MCU could even happen in 2026. After all, Daredevil: Born Again season 2 will see Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock putting together an army to take down Kingpin. Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones is already confirmed to be part of that team, so having Luke Cage and Iron Fist appear throughout season 2 would fit the MCU’s plans and give Iron Fist a triumphant return.
Cast
Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Edward Norton, Paul Rudd, Tom Holland, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Mackie, Cobie Smulders, Brie Larson, Chadwick Boseman, Sebastian Stan, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Pom Klementieff, Josh Brolin, Karen Gillan, Clark Gregg, Paul Bettany, Don Cheadle, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Simu Liu, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Angelina Jolie, Kit Harington, Salma Hayek, Richard Madden, Barry Keoghan, Gemma Chan, Ma Dong-seok, Brian Tyree Henry, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Lia McHugh, Jonathan Majors