SDCC ‘LUKE CAGE’ Trailer May Be Marvel’s Best – Also, ‘IRON FIST’ and ‘DEFENDERS’ Teasers!


Marvel’s Netflix corner of the MCU looks as though it will continue to blossom (not that anything can really grow in Marvel’s version of Hell’s Kitchen or Harlem).

At San Diego Comic Con Thursday, Marvel Studios unveiled trailers for their next three (3!) Netflix Series. To be fair, they range from as teaser-y as you can get to full-on-bad-ass action sequence.Comic Con SDCC Luke Cage Trailer Mike Colter Car DoorFrom what I have seen thus far, Marvel’s Netflix series (which are part of the official MCU of Marvel Studios Movies & Television – one shared universe) have been of the highest quality, standing toe to toe with the best films that feature any combination of Avengers’ Members. Daredevil raised the bar as far as what a superhero on TV could be, how dark Marvel Studios would go, and further proved the company can make any character interesting. Then the Studio doubled down with Jessica Jones, stepping back from the Superhero Genre into the shadows of Film Noir/ Detective Genre, all while upping the ante as far as darkness and reinventing a nearly unknown comic character. And while Daredevil is good, Jessica Jones is great,  even featuring one of the top 3 villains in all of the MCU; Kilgrave (David Tennant) alongside Loki and Baron Zemo.Comic Con SDCC Luke Cage Trailer Mike Colter Bring It Bullet HolesThis new, full Luke Cage trailer carries on the tone of Marvel’s “Defenders” shows (more on The Defenders in a bit), with a hallway action sequence that brings Daredevil Season 1’s famous shot to mind, but presents a completely fresh tone in a Guardians of the Galaxy or Ant-Man manner. Existing more as a scene than a full “theatrical” trailer (they actually do call longer TV Show Trailers that now), the San Diego Comic Con trailer for Luke Cage may be the best trailer the studio has cut in either medium. It does appear to lean more toward the Superhero Genre than Jessica Jones, though.

After a sabotaged experiment leaves him with super strength and unbreakable skin, Luke Cage (Mike Colter) becomes a fugitive trying to rebuild his life in modern day Harlem, New York City. But he is soon pulled out of the shadows and must fight a battle for the heart of his city – forcing him to confront a past he had tried to bury.

Watch it now, then onto Iron Fist and The Defenders!

Luke Cage (Mike Colter) certainly looks like he will be kicking ass AND taking names to a few jams come September 30th.

Not surprisingly, Marvel and Netflix had more to share at Comic Con, the 4th show in their Defenders Universe, following Luke Cage.Iron Fist SDCC Trailer Danny RandIron Fist doesn’t look nearly as good as Luke Cage, Daredevil, or Jessica Jones, but it is just a 51 second teaser showing me glimpses at characters and powers I don’t recognize. After all, Iron Fist is the hardest sell, as the most unknown of the characters appearing on Netflix similar to Guardians of the Galaxy, while also being the least grounded and hardest to sell, like Thor.

Returning to New York City after being missing for years, Daniel Rand fights against the criminal element corrupting New York City with his incredible kung-fu mastery and ability to summon the awesome power of the fiery Iron Fist.

I give you, Finn Jones as Danny Rand/Iron Fist.

Which finally brings us to The Defenders, as I promised. The Defenders lies at the end of Marvel’s Netflix version of Phase 1. Just as all four  Avengers were introduced one movie at a time (with Iron Man receiving two movies) before their team up film, these four Netflix characters that protect Hell’s Kitchen in their respective television seasons (with Daredevil receiving two seasons, as well) will assemble to form THE DEFENDERS! Marvel’s more brutal Heroes brought together and allowed to go into R-Rated territory, brought to you by Disney!

Marvel’s The Defenders will unite Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist, as they face their biggest threat yet.

Here’s that most teaser-y of teasers you’ve seen since The Dark Knight teaser trailer!

No footage this early on, and is that voice over even from the show? Because have they started it yet? I am unsure, but it is a tease of a teaser as promised.

There you have it, teasers for the remainder of “Defenders: Phase 1.” There’s a bright, beautiful Marvel future out there, friends, even without going to the Cinema (though you should probably continue to do that too).

Official ‘Daredevil’ Trailer Is Feature Quality (Again)… AND Brings Us Kingpin


I said it before (when the teaser trailer dropped) and I can safely say it again after watching the official trailer for Netflix and Marvel Studios’ ‘Daredevil;’ it looks like we have the equivalent of ‘The Dark Knight’ in the Marvel Cinematic Universe on our hands. And a show with a truly cinematic scope and style.Daredevil Fights In The Rain on Netflix

Don’t get me wrong, I have no delusions that ‘Daredevil’ will be as good as DC’s ‘The Dark Knight,’ but the trailer still reminds me of ‘Batman Begins’ none-the-less. And that is a fantastic thing!

Unlike Marvel’s ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ and to a lesser extent, ‘Agent Carter,’ ‘Daredevil’ is the 1st MCU show that doesn’t feel nor look like TV. It plays like it has the effects and intensity of a more down and gritty Marvel movie, but with the bonus of 10 episodes instead of 2 hours (2 and 1/2 if you’re ‘Age of Ultron’).Daredevil Jumps Through A Window on NetflixUnlike the globe-trotting/Earth saving, “Captain America and his colorful friends,”* Daredevil (played by Charlie Cox) sticks to the streets of his city, Batman style: Hell’s Kitchen in NYC.

But it doesn’t mean his struggle is any less intense then his could-be-eventual-allies’ silver screen adventures.

Watch the trailer now!

 “I have to be the man this city needs.”

Hmmm, Matt Murdock/Daredevil, that sounds like something Nolan’s Batman would say…

It’s not a copy, it’s just the darkest we’ve seen the MCU get, a trend that will continue with all five planned Netflix series: ‘Daredevil,’ ‘AKA Jessica Jones,’ ‘Luke Cage,’ ‘Iron Fist,’ and then the ‘Avengers’ style team up, ‘The Defenders.’

The UK rated ‘Daredevil’ a 15 (we here in the US don’t rate Netflix programming), the closest to ‘R’ that Marvel Studios has ventured. Mike Colter, who plays the title character of his own show, claims ‘Luke Cage’ will be equally dark and gritty.Matt Murdock's Scars on Netflix

Yet, the trailer doesn’t let you forget ‘Daredevil’ is part of the MCU:

“Maybe if he had an iron suit or a magic hammer, that would explain why you keep getting your asses to you.”

Why not get the whole NY gang together?
Why not get the whole NY gang back together?

Maybe one day, he’ll join the Avengers. Or, even cooler, why not have ‘Daredevil’ and ‘Spider-Man’ cross paths now that the web-head is part of the MCU? They’re both dedicated to saving NYC and would make interesting allies.

Whatever ends up happening with the Daredevil character down the line, it sure looks like Marvel Studios and Netflix are off to a great start!

Marvel’s ‘Daredevil’ hits Netflix on April 10th!

* Quoted from Baron Von Strucker in the mid-credit sequence for ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier.”

Marvel Goes Batman In Their First Feature-Quality Trailer For Netflix’s ‘Daredevil’


Daredevil is cool for the first time ever!

Look how cool he is!
Look how cool he is!

Marvel Studios and Netflix have assembled as a super-team to create four Marvel shows. The first is ‘Daredevil,’ set to premiere all ten episodes on April 10th.

Ben Affleck in 2003's 'Daredevil' film.
Ben Affleck in 2003’s ‘Daredevil’ film.

(Side-note: Marvel & Netflix also plan on spinning the four heroes from their four respective shows into a fifth show featuring Marvel’s lesser knon, Earth-bound superhero team: ‘The Defenders.’)

As anyone who saw the original 2003 ‘Daredevil’ film starring Ben Affleck knows, that movie was terrible (listen to Andrew and I rant about it on this podcast). So I assumed the character was equally terrible. Worst than terrible possibly; he’s a blind man whose superpower is sight!

Similarly, over a decade ago I initially assumed Batman was an awful character after witnessing the horror that was ‘Batman & Robin.’ But Nolan’s movies completely altered my perception of the Dark Knight and now I consider myself a sort of “Batman Scholar.”

Daredevil oversees his Hell's Kitchen; his own personal Gotham.
Daredevil oversees his Hell’s Kitchen; his own personal Gotham.

Now I can see that Daredevil’s true power is that he can see in the dark as he sees everything through sonar (more-or-less). The superhuman hearing that allows said sonar sight also gives him an advantage when sneaking around criminals or listening in from afar.

Daredevil can hear through walls!
Daredevil can hear through walls!

If you boil Daredevil down again (especially after viewing the trailer) he is basically Batman with the “Bat-Sonar” seen in the finale of ‘The Dark Knight.’ Minus the wealth and nickname, “World’s Greatest Detective.”

This ‘Daredevil’ trailer does seem to have a lot in common with Nolan’s Batman films… which is actually a great choice for the character. In a world where lighter heroes like Superman (‘Man of Steel’) and the Fantastic Four (‘FANT4STIC’)  are getting overly dark movies in a reaction to ‘The Dark Knight’s success, Daredevil is a character who deserves that grittiness.Daredevil Parkour 1 Netflix

Doesn't this all look familiar? Hunting bad guys around shipping containers. Disappearing in the shadows. Only, NOW WITH PARKOUR!
Doesn’t this all look familiar? Hunting bad guys around shipping containers. Disappearing in the shadows. Only, NOW WITH PARKOUR!

It’s no surprise that this MCU version of ‘Daredevil’ is drawing from the source material ‘The Man Without Fear’ graphic novel by Frank Miller. Frank Miller, who also wrote the graphic novel ‘Batman: Year One’ which served as the basis for ‘Batman Begins;’ both in scenes and tone.Daredevil Fights in Hall Netflix

Frank Miller DaredevilFurther proof is in the Costume. Rather than the “Devil red” suit Ben Affleck had to wear, the MCU’s Daredevil wears a black ninja-looking-getup with his eyes covered (because he doesn’t need to see! See?). This look was established by Frank Miller in ‘The Man Without Fear.’

Daredevil does indeed have a lot in common with Batman, lamenting about his corrupt city and jumping around rooftops, taking out bad-guys from the shadows.

I’m already on-board for anything MCU (except for ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D which lost my attention in season one), but this trailer finally makes me believe that ‘Daredevil’ can (and hopefully will) be awesome…Daredevil Out The Window Netflix

…Because he is Marvel’s equivalent of my favorite hero of all, The Batman (let’s not get into Tony Stark territory here).

While Matt Murdock (Daredevil’s secret identity) is just a poor lawyer in Hell’s Kitchen, Bruce Wayne is Gotham’s “drunk” playboy billionaire. But you know, other than that they’re the same.Daredevil Strikes Near Shipping Containers Like Batman

Watch the trailer now and see if you agree!

You got Charlie Cox playing Matt Murdock/Daredevil and, most importantly, Vincent D’Onofrio playing Wilson Fisk aka Kingpin. A role played by Michael Clarke Duncan previously in the film.

Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk. The Kingpin.
Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk. The Kingpin.

There’s a lot to take in here, so we’ll cover that later. We do have 3 months until the show bows on April 10th.

Podcast #10: That Honeypotting Marvel!


Nick and Andrew honeypot/honeydick you into the world of Breaking Geek. They discuss the excellent film, ‘Blue Ruin,’ and come back around to ‘The Interview’ before launching into comic book movies and TV shows including Marvel’s teasers for Netflix’s ‘Daredevil’ and ‘Ant-Man.’ Also, an update on the DC Cinematic Universe (DCCU) and ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ franchises.

Come back every Friday @ 1pm Mountain Time for new episodes of ‘Breaking Geek: The Podcast!

Marvel Studios’ Netflix Show ‘Daredevil’ Has A Poster and Release Date!


Marvel’s marketing department has been in overdrive this week.

‘Daredevil’ is coming to Netflix April 10th, before even ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ and the recently advertised ‘Ant-Man’ hit the silver screen.Marvel Netflix Daredevil Logo 2015

No, I don’t mean the 2003 film ‘Daredevil’ starring Ben Batfleck as the title hero. 2015’s ‘Daredevil’ is a brand new show, officially part of the the Marvel Cinematic Universe, by Marvel Studios. Fox made the original film but let the rights slip back to Disney/Marvel, allowing the pros that brought us ‘Captain America: Winter Soldier’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ to create and execute the first of five planned Netflix shows.

Let’s start by watching the ‘trailer’ for the Release Date announcement and poster unveil. (Not too unlike the logo trailer for 007: SPECTRE)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) hasn’t had much luck on TV, especially when you compare it to DC’s successful ‘Arrow,’ ‘Flash,’ and ‘Gotham;’ all shows that look like they will be around for a few seasons. My personal favorite, ‘Constantine’ is the most enjoyable, as though it can get dark as hell, the tone is closer to that of a Marvel movie than the aforementioned darker DC shows or the new DC Cinematic Universe (the DCCU) kicked off by Zack Synder’s overly dark ‘Man of Steel.’

Meanwhile, ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ clings to life and is a complete disappointment when compared to the rest of the MCU, or even Fox and Sony Marvel films like ‘Spider-Man’ and ‘X-Men.’

'Agent Carter' Poster‘Agent Carter’ may be great (the premise sure is), but I have yet to watch it (I think I’ll hop on Hulu+ following this post) and haven’t seen any TV ratings yet.

Though we have yet to see any real footage from Netflix’s’Daredevil,’ one would expect the gutsy “online network” that brought us ‘House of Cards’ to deliver a more cinematic product with a much higher budget than ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ The former should also feel less constrained by network television standards than the latter.

And ‘Daredevil’ is just the beginning of a run of MCU Netflix programming that could eclipse DC’s thus far successful television efforts.

Here’s the poster.Daredevil (2015) Poster

Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock/DaredevilFollowing the 13 episode ‘Daredevil’ series starring Charlie Cox as Daredevil/Matt Murdock and Vincent D’Onofrio as Kingpen,  Marvel and Netflix will release ‘AKA Jessica Jones’ starring ‘Breaking Bad’s Krysten Ritter as the title character and Mike Colter as Luke Cage. Seeing as how the two are an item in the comics, Mike Colter will play Luke Cage in ‘Aka Jessica Jones’ before he gets his own show, ‘Luke Cage,’ next. Following that we get ‘Iron Fist’ which has yet to be cast, followed by an ‘Avengers’-esque series called ‘The Defenders’ that brings all four characters together for an ensemble superhero team.

Basically, Marvel has focused their TV efforts on an MCU of Netflix’s own; one that could lead to appearances of the characters on ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ which desperately needs more superheroes and even a possible team-up in ‘Avengers: Infinity War,’ Part 1 or 2.

Thus far, we have only seen this Frank Miller look of the costume, not the red horned costume used in 2003's 'Darvedevil' film.
Thus far, we have only seen this Frank Miller look of the costume, not the red horned costume used in 2003’s ‘Darvedevil’ film.

This does raise the question, where and if these shows exist within ‘Phase 2’ or ‘Phase 3.’ Being a part of the MCU means they have to fall somewhere. I would guess that somewhere is ‘Phase 3’ as we won’t see Daredevil on the big screen helping with the sadistic Ultron. But IT DOES come out before ‘Age of Ultron’ and ‘Ant-Man,’ the latter ending ‘Phase 2.’ Maybe some plot points do feed into either film and are a part of Phase 2?

We’ll know more on April 10th when Netflix drops all 13 episodes of Marvel Studios’ ‘Daredevil;’ the next frontier of superhero shows.