From 2016 to 2018, Netflix introducedLuke Cageto Marvel viewers for the first time. The series joined previously released series inDaredevilandJessica Jones, which both debuted in 2015. Cage himself first appeared inJessica Jonesin 2015 prior to the start of his own series, played by none other than Mike Colter. Colter would go on to play Cage in the 2017 crossover series,The Defenders, which encompassed characters fromDaredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, andIron Fist.
Netflix would soon go on to cancel all of these shows but the longevity of these series and the significance of its characters have not been forgotten by fans ofMarvel. Prior to the conclusion of 2021, Marvelofficially introduced both Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox)and Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio) to the MCU after the cancelation ofDaredevilin 2018. Cox and D’Onofrio might be the only characters from the Netflix Marvel shows to make an MCU appearance, but they are certainly not the only memorable hero-villain duo.
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Academy Award-winner,Mahershala Ali is set to portray Bladein an upcoming Marvel film of the same title. Ali made his debut in the role in the post-credits ofEternals, where his voice was heard speaking to Kit Harrington’s Dane Whitman just as he reached for the Ebony Blade. While Ali’s face didn’t appear on screen for theEternalspost-credits, his impact in the MCU is already being felt. Those that are familiar with Ali’s work know that he is no stranger to Marvel characters. In 2018, he voiced Aaron Davis inSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. In 2016, Ali was a member of theLuke Cagecast, portraying one of the most formidable opponents Marvel has ever had.
Despite only running for two seasons,Luke Cagemanaged to offer meaningful commentary on racial issues and the strength and willpower of a community. Part of this is a reflection of the title character, as Cage is a Black man with super strength and bulletproof skin. In a world plagued by gun and other extreme levels of violence against those that share his skin tone, this character holds a symbolic standing for many viewers. The largely Black cast ofLuke Cageis also a huge step for Marvel, preceding theAcademy Award-winning film,Black Panther. Aside from Ali and Colter, the cast ofLuke Cageincludes Simone Missick, Theo Rossi, Rosario Dawson, Alfre Woodard, Eric LaRay, and Mustafa Shakir.
Of the stunning performances over the course ofLuke Cage, Ali’s remains one of the most memorable. Ali’s character of Cornell Stokes (often known under the guise of Cottonmouth) is a crime boss who presides over Harlem’s Paradise, a popular club in Harlem. Hisillegal activities cause problemsfor many characters including his cousin, Mariah Dillard (Woodard) who attempts to distance herself from her family’s legacy of crime as a councilwoman. Unfortunately for her, it is a difficult task when she and Stokes become indebted to one another’s cause. Their rocky family history and the often distasteful relationship between them allow for both Ali and Woodard to masterfully deliver emotionally taxing scenes.
Cottonmouth is ultimately killed about halfway throughthe first season ofLuke Cagedespite appearing as if he would be the focal villain. Despite his early death, Ali’s impact managed to be felt throughout the remainder of the series. The suave and sophisticated attitude Ali brought to Cottonmouth along with his line delivery is a feat that is difficult to accomplish meaningfully in a span of seven episodes. InLuke Cage’sopening episode, “Moment of Truth,” Cottonmouth has a particularly memorable line thatspurs from the symbolic photographof Notorious B.I.G. that hangs in his office. “You like my Biggie photo? Me, too. You know what draws your eye when you look at that?” Cottonmouth asked one of his men, Shameek. “The crown. Wanna know why? Huh? ‘Cause everybody wants to be the king.”
This line would prove to be a symbolic piece ofLuke Cage. Even before the death of Cottonmouth, debates over Cage’s own responsibilities to Harlem had been debated. As a councilwoman, Dillard’s own quest for power was never lost throughout the series. After she murders Cottonmouth, Dillard no longer tries to ignore her family’s criminal past and she herself becomes a queen within Harlem and the crime world.
Despite his short run, Cottonmouth had the potential to become a villain just as intimidating asWilson Fisk in bothDaredevilandHawkeye. As daunting as Willard managed to be throughout the remainder ofLuke Cage, there is no competing with the tactful presence Ali brought to Cottonmouth. The daunting laugh Ali utilized for Cottonmouth made his character all the more haunting and intimidating to come across. Cottonmouth was a lively villain who soaked up the room’s atmosphere the moment he walked in. Much like Kingpin’s inclusion inHawkeye, the mere threat of Cottonmouth’s arrival was enough to excite viewers for what was to follow.
Now that Ali will play Blade (and that the character died inLuke Cage), it’s unlikely that Cottonmouth will ever be able to return to the MCU. However, Marvel’s choice to begin pulling insome of the characters from the Netflix showsbegins to give series likeLuke Cagea much more significant role in the MCU. This means that villains like Cottonmouth are still a huge piece of the legacy that will carry the MCU forward. With Ali portraying Cottonmouth, the value of the character was always guaranteed even in the short span he dominated the small screen.
