Here is why I feel Mike Colter's MCU return as Luke Cage is inevitable

Luke Cage, as played by Mike Colter, may return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe soon. For those who don't remember, the actor debuted as the Marvel Comics superhero a decade ago in the first season of Jessica Jones. After that, Mike Colter returned for a solo series simply titled Marvel's Luke Cage that ran for two seasons in 2016 and 2018.

However, Netflix cancelled the series in October 2018, which was exclusively revealed through a Deadline report. The report cited "creative differences" as a reason behind the cancellation. Both Netflix and Marvel Television released this joint statement:

“Unfortunately, Marvel’s Luke Cage will not return for a third season. Everyone at Marvel Television and Netflix is grateful to the dedicated showrunner, writers, cast and crew who brought Harlem’s Hero to life for the past two seasons, and to all the fans who have supported the series.”

But as we all know, cancelling the Netflix Marvel shows, including Luke Cage, had nothing to do with creative differences as Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and The Punisher. But that changed in 2021 as Charlie Cox returned as Matt Murdock in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

In July 2022, Daredevil: Born Again was officially announced at San Diego Comic-Con and was released in March 2025. However, the recent development involving Jessica Jones, a fellow Netflix Marvel superhero, has me believe that Mike Colter will inevitably return as Luke Cage in the MCU soon.

Jessica Jones' return in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 is a sign that Luke Cage and Iron Fist are on the line to return

Krysten Ritter's return as Jessica Jones in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 was officially confirmed on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the Upfront event. On stage, Ritter expressed happiness at her Marvel Cinematic Universe return, saying:

“It’s so great to be back, returning to Jessica after three seasons and ‘The Defenders’ and now joining the MCU. I’m so excited to bring back this iconic character, and without giving too much away, there is much more in store for Jessica Jones. This is going to be an incredible season!”

Now that Jessica Jones has returned to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Luke Cage might also be around the corner. It is worth noting that Luke and Jessica are one of the beloved couples in the Marvel Universe. Theirs is one of the longest-standing marriages on the pages of Marvel Comics. So, people have been hoping for a rekindling of Luke and Jessica's relationship in the shows as well.

Even Mike Colter himself expressed a hope for a return in a ComicBook.com interview published on August 12, 2024:

“I would love to explore it, if they found some story, some way, somewhere, to take it. And I’m happy that Charlie Cox and those are getting it rebooted, but I don’t have any [idea if Luke Cage is getting rebooted]. I’m not holding anything back.”

Then the actor spoke about the creative overhaul of Daredevil: Born Again, which enabled the people involved in the show to canonize the events of the Netflix Marvel shows:

“I think that’s the right move. They should have never tried [to reboot it.] No, no, I don’t know what that was about. I’m like, ‘Well, yeah, duh,’ It was not broke, so don’t fix it.”

Colter's return as Luke Cage also makes sense, considering the Harlem's Paradise easter egg in the first episode of Daredevil: Born Again Season 1, "Heaven's Half Hour".

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Do you believe that Luke Cage is returning to the MCU? Let us know.

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