Netflix Adds To Marvel Universe With 'Luke Cage' Premiere Date

With Netflix NFLX and Marvel's TV collaborations going so well it shouldn't have come as a shock the synergy aspect would continue to play out off-screen. Investors excited for the second season of "Daredevil" got a nice surprise last Friday when in the run-up to the debut it was revealed the release date for "Luke Cage" was locked. "Cage," the third of four solo series for release on Netflix will bow September 30. First introduced on "Jessica Jones," the Cage character has always been a Marvel favorite and brought to life by actor Mike Colter. The plan has always been for Marvel to eventually create its own TV version of a "Avengers" liked team called "The Defenders" which combines its small-screen heroes Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist and Cage. It was an ambitious project especially given the less than stellar ratings for the Marvel branded shows airing on ABC. While "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." is now in its third season and was recently renewed for a fourth, it has been very much a roller-coaster ride for viewers. Similarly "Agent Carter" failed to drum up the same level of interest as first hoped and is considered a long shot to be renewed for a third run. Yet the success of "Daredevil" and "Jones" goes beyond traditional metrics as both critics and fans has largely supported the Netflix collaborations without the same hesitation which makes it a valuable entity for all involved. "Cage" will also feature Rosario Dawson, Mahershala Ali, Alfre Woodard, Theo Rossi, Frank Whaley and Sonia Braga among its ensemble.