Netflix cancelled Luke Cage and the rest of its Marvel lineup, and ever since fans of the shows have been wondering whether or not Disney will give these shows new life elsewhere or create another show for these characters to return. If it did, would Mike Colter and others be willing to return to these characters for new adventures?
Mike Colter spoke with critics after a Television Critics Association's summer press tour panel for his upcoming CBS series Evil, and discussed how he's feeling about a potential return as Harlem's hero. CinemaBlend's Nick Venable was there to hear Colter's thoughts, which make clear it largely depends on what the next chapter of Luke Cage entails.
I’d really need to see where he’s going and what the storyline would be. I still have -- everyone has -- questions about where he was gonna go in Season 3. At this point, we’d be starting, not from scratch but I would need to see where he was going you know? Because as an actor we’re always looking to do different things. So, as long as you’re gainfully employed and doing something that stimulates you, you’re not always looking in your rearview mirror trying to figure out what else you could be doing with a character you’ve already played.
Mike Colter doesn't sound disinterested in Luke Cage's future, but it seems like he's interested in seeing what's next for the character before outright stating he's up to return. Colter added the struggle of technically "starting from scratch" which is a reference to the required period of time Marvel has to wait following cancellation before new seasons of shows can be created is also a hurdle. It would definitely be some work to get that cast and crew together, as ultimately some actors may be on to other things by the time Luke Cage would even be available to return.
In the meantime, Mike Colter is enjoying his new gig on Evil, which requires a less strenuous workout routine. Colter plays a priest-in-training named Luke Acosta in the upcoming CBS series, which Colter explained comes with a different on-screen presence that he found refreshing after playing a bad ass on Luke Cage for two seasons.
To not have to [work out excessively] means a lot. When you got to do it it always changes things. So not having to do it, not having to live in a world where I have to be physical is nice, you know? When you come off a physical role like Luke Cage and other roles you think to yourself, well, for me, I wanted to have a character who doesn’t walk into a room knowing that he’s in charge and that he doesn’t have a presence people are going to have to cower to. He’s a person who’s investigating, who’s trying to ascertain information, who’s trying to dissect. That’s a completely different muscle that I’m using and I really like that about the character.
Mike Colter's Acosta will team up with psychologist Dr. Kristen Bouchard (Katja Herbers) to investigate supernatural incidents. It's the new and different type of role he seems invigorated by, and if he's still feeling that way if Luke Cage is available again, it's possible he won't sacrifice any time he'd commit to Evil to go back to Luke Cage. Ultimately he seems committed to "wait and see" how things develop, and in the meantime is happy where he's at now.
Related: Will We See Any Marvel Netflix Heroes In An MCU Movie? Here's What Kevin Feige Says
Luke Cage is still cancelled, but audiences can see Mike Colter in CBS' Evil when it premieres Thursday, September 26 at 10:00 p.m. ET. Stick with CinemaBlend for more updates on what's happening with Marvel's former Netflix heroes, and for the latest news in the world of television and movies.
