With a Danny Rand and a Colleen Wing already cast via Finn Jones and Jessica Henwick, Marvel and Netflix have now locked in another key piece of the Iron Fist puzzle: Lord Of The Rings veteran David Wenham has been cast as Harold Meachum.
Iron Fist dates back to the Bruce Lee-obsessed days of the early ‘70s. To borrow from Black Dynamite, it combines “scientific biological transmogrification” (he got a superfist by placing his hand in a molten dragon's heart) with “kung-fu treachery” (his parents’ business partner Meachum caused both their deaths when Rand was a nipper). Expect him to start out with revenge in mind, before new adversaries spring up around him.
Marvel doesn't reveal whether he'll be quite the threat as the man in the comics, but does describe him as a "ruthless business leader" and that he'll have a role in Danny's future too. The picture that accompanied the announcement also offers a teasing clue.
“I’m very excited to have David as our Harold Meachum. David is capable of displaying raw, visceral strength as well as extremely keen intelligence,” says showrunner Scott Buck. “This will add up to a character of complex depth who will keep us off balance all season."
"David brings both a vulnerability and a danger to his many diverse roles,” adds Marvel TV boss Jeph Loeb. “This key quality creates a gravitas our series requires as Danny unravels the secrets behind Rand Enterprises."
Iron Fist will be shooting this year but has yet to announce a date for it to hit Netflix. Luke Cage is scheduled for September 30.