Iron Fist actor Finn Jones has recently teased his return to the MCU, and there are several upcoming and potential projects that could bring him back.

There are several upcoming or potential projects in the MCU that could mark the return of Danny Rand, following Finn Jones’ appearance as the character in Marvel Television’s Iron Fist. Finn Jones debuted as Danny Rand in 2017’s Iron Fist season 1, and made appearances in other Defenders Saga projects, including The Defenders and Luke Cage. Unfortunately, Iron Fist was the lowest-rated installment in the Defenders Saga, and the series was ultimately canceled in 2018, prior to Marvel Studios’ development of its own shows for Disney+. However, this may not be the end of the Iron Fist in the MCU.

Marvel Studios recently confirmed the Defenders Saga is canon to the MCU, meaning Finn Jones’ Danny Rand already exists in the franchise, though he hasn’t been seen in the main continuity. However, in March 2024, Finn Jones shared an image on his Instagram story that depicts a packed travel bag and an issue of Marvel Comics from 1986, Power Man and Iron Fist #125. This has caused speculation that Finn Jones could be returning as Danny Rand’s Iron Fist in the MCU, perhaps alongside Mike Colter’s Luke Cage, Power Man, which could happen in several upcoming or potential MCU projects.

10. Iron Fist Series Continuation

Marvel Studios Can Revive Iron Fist Akin To Daredevil: Born Again

After appearances in Spider-Man: No Way Home, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Echo, Charlie Cox is set to return as Matt Murdock’s Daredevil in Daredevil: Born Again, continuing his storyline from Marvel Television’s Daredevil series. Marvel Studios could decide to continue all the Defenders Saga shows in a similar way, which means Finn Jones’ Danny Rand could return in a new Iron Fist series. This would establish the Iron Fist fully in the world of the MCU, and perhaps fix concerns with Jones’ previous portrayal of Danny Rand on Netflix.

Iron Fist Season 2 Ended On A Cliffhanger

A continuation of Marvel Television’s Iron Fist in the MCU could answer questions surrounding the cliffhanger ending of Iron Fist season 2. This saw Danny Rand and Tom Pelphrey’s Ward Meachum traveling to find Orson Randall, and Jessica Henwick’s Colleen Wing become New York’s new Iron Fist. It would be brilliant to see this story continue in the MCU’s future.

9. Rumored Female-Led Iron Fist Project

Marvel Studios May Be Developing A New Iron First Series

For several months, Marvel Studios has been rumored to be producing a new series dedicated to showcasing a female Iron Fist (via Comicbookmovie.com). Popular theories have suggested that this series could put Colleen Wing’s Iron Fist front-and-center following Iron Fist season 2’s ending, though this would also constitute an appearance by Finn Jones’ Danny Rand. With criticism aimed at Jones, it makes sense that Marvel Studios would focus on a different Iron Fist, but Danny Rand would still be an important fixture in this project.

There Are Several Female Iron Fists In Marvel Comics

In Marvel Comics, many female characters assumed the role of the Iron Fist, so any number of these heroes could appear in the MCU’s new rumored series. Native K’un-Lun resident Fan Fei was the first Iron Fist, so the series could explore the origins of the title. Gale, Fongji Wu, Wu Ao-Shi and Pei could all debut as the MCU’s new female Iron Fist, too.

8. Luke Cage Series Continuation

Iron Fist & Luke Cage Could Continue To Develop Their Friendship

Following the events of Iron Fist season 1 and The Defenders, Finn Jones made an appearance as Danny Rand in Luke Cage season 2, episode 10, “The Main Ingredient.” This further developed the friendship between Cage and Rand, teasing an adaptation of Marvel Comics’ Power Man and Iron Fist series, which Finn Jones has now revived. With Daredevil continuing in Born Again, and the prospect of Iron Fist continuing in the MCU, Luke Cage could get the same treatment, and Danny Rand’s inclusion would be brilliant.

Luke Cage Season 2’s Ending Left Luke In A Strange Place

Luke Cage season 2 ended with one of the Defenders Saga’s biggest cliffhangers, as Mike Colter’s Luke Cage assumed control of Harlem’s Paradise and stamped down on crime in Harlem, setting himself up as a new crime boss. This mysterious ending needs resolution, and Luke Cage season 3 could also set up the titular Hero of Harlem for a larger role in the MCU.

Mike Colter has been heavily rumored to be returning as Luke Cage, along with Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones.

7. Heroes For Hire Series

Heroes For Hire Series Was Teased For The Defenders Saga

With the possible return of Danny Rand’s Iron Fist, and potentially a reprise from Luke Cage, Marvel Studios could finally develop a Heroes for Hire series in the MCU. Marvel Comics’ Heroes for Hire saw Rand and Cage team up to fight crime together, and this evolution was teased throughout The Defenders and Luke Cage season 2, but never came to fruition on Netflix. Bringing Finn Jones and Mike Colter back for a Heroes for Hire series would make for an impactful return for both.

Heroes For Hire Could Include Several MCU Heroes Now

Marvel Comics’ Heroes for Hire was founded by Danny Rand and Luke Cage, but the pair were joined by several other heroes. Many of these heroes have now debuted in the MCU, so Marvel Studios’ Heroes for Hire can be a more substantial team. This could include She-Hulk, Yelena Belova’s Black Widow, Moon Knight, Shang-Chi and Spider-Man, setting up yet another MCU Avengers team replacement.

6. Daughters Of The Dragon

Misty Knight & Colleen Wing’s Partnership Was Teased By Marvel Television

As well as Heroes for Hire, Marvel Television’s Defenders Saga also laid the foundations for a Daughters of the Dragon series, which unfortunately never came to fruition. Marvel Comics’ Daughters of the Dragon included Misty Knight and Colleen Wing, portrayed by Simone Missick and Jessica Henwick, respectively, in the Defenders Saga. Danny Rand’s connection to these heroes means the Iron Fist could appear in an MCU Daughters of the Dragon project, paying off the Defenders Saga’s previous teases.

Tip: Daughter of the Dragon is Colleen Wing’s moniker in the fight club in Iron Fist.

Why Marvel Studios Should Revive Daughters Of The Dragon

Until recent years, Marvel Studios came under scrutiny for not putting focus on the MCU’s female heroes. This was rectified with projects such as Captain Marvel, WandaVision, Ms. Marvel, Echo and Black Widow, with many of these projects also representing other minority groups. Daughters of the Dragon can continue this brilliant pattern, bringing two powerful yet grounded heroes into the MCU proper, and putting Missick and Henwick’s fantastic chemistry on display again.

5. Spider-Man 4

Iron Fist & Spider-Man Both Operate In New York City

Although there’s been no official confirmation from either Marvel Studios or Sony Pictures, the MCU’s Spider-Man 4 is supposedly in development. The project will continue the story of Tom Holland’s Peter Parker after the world forgot him in Spider-Man: No Way Home, so could see him become a much more street-level hero. This could bring him into contact with some of the MCU’s more-grounded heroes operating in New York City, such as Daredevil and Iron Fist.

Iron Fist Could Be Important To The MCU’s Street-Level Stories

Marvel Studios seems to be building up to an adaptation of Marvel Comics’ Devil’s Reign storyline, which saw Mayor Wilson Fisk outlaw vigilantism in New York City. This affected many street-level heroes in New York, including Spider-Man and Iron Fist, so it would be great to see this event unfold in Spider-Man 4. This would constitute not only an appearance of Danny Rand in Spider-Man 4, but also a number of other smaller-scale heroes.

4. Eyes Of Wakanda

Ryan Coogler’s Animated Series Will Explore The MCU’s History

First announced by Marvel Studios Animation in December 2023, Eyes of Wakanda is set to focus on Wakandan warriors recovering vibranium artifacts throughout the MCU’s history. The mantle of the Iron Fist has been passed down for millennia, meaning it’s possible these warriors could come across different versions of the Iron Fist. Iron Fist and the Black Panther regularly cross paths in Marvel Comics, so it makes sense for these two heroes to find each other in the MCU’s Eyes of Wakanda.

Black Panther & Iron Fist Have Crossed Paths Many Times In Marvel Comics

Over the years, Danny Rand’s Iron Fist has found himself battling with and against the Wakandan ruler, T’Challa’s Black Panther, on many occasions. Rand even transferred the Iron Fist to Dora Milaje member Okoye during a 2021 Marvel Comics storyline. This means it’s very likely that the Iron Fist and the Black Panther will cross paths in the MCU, and Eyes of Wakanda could set this up perfectly.

Eyes of Wakanda will be an animated series, developed by Ryan Coogler, exploring the history of Wakanda and vibranium.

3. Daredevil: Born Again

Daredevil & Iron Fist Already Have A Connection In The MCU

While it’s possible that Finn Jones’ Danny Rand could return in a continuation of Marvel Television’s Iron Fist or Luke Cage shows, it’s also possible he could simply reappear in Daredevil: Born Again. The upcoming project is set to continue the Defenders Saga’sDaredevil series, with several characters from the Defenders Saga already confirmed to be returning. Matt Murdock and Danny Rand fought together during The Defenders, and if Marvel Studios is building towards Devil’s Reign, they could team-up again to battle Kingpin.

Several Defenders Saga Characters Are Returning In Daredevil: Born Again

As well as Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio, several other Defenders Sagacharacters are returning in Daredevil: Born Again. Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle, the Punisher, and Wilson Bethel’s Benjamin Poindexter, Bullseye, will be rejoining the MCU. Deborah Ann Woll and Elden Henson are also reprising their roles of Karen Page and Foggy Nelson, respectively, so Finn Jones’ return as Danny Rand isn’t outside the realm of possibility.

2. Avengers 5 & Secret Wars

Iron Fist Is A Member Of The Avengers In Marvel Comics

Announced by Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige in 2022, Phase 6’s Avengers 5 and Avengers: Secret Wars are expected to feature many heroes from the MCU’s past, as well as those from non-MCU Marvel franchises. This means the return of Finn Jones’ Iron Fist is very likely in these projects, particularly since the Defenders Saga has now been made MCU canon. Danny Rand is a prominent member of the Avengers in Marvel Comics, so it would be great to see him join this established team in the MCU.

Who Could Be In The New Avengers Team In The MCU’s Phase 6?

After the conclusion of the MCU’s Infinity Saga, the status of the Avengers team in the MCU has been unclear. However, the new Avengers line-up in Phase 6 is very exciting. This new team could include Sam Wilson’s Captain America, She-Hulk, Captain Marvel, Bruce Banner’s Hulk, Shang-Chi, Doctor Strange, Shuri’s Black Panther, and even the Iron Fist and other Defenders Saga heroes.

1. Shang-Chi 2

Shang-Chi’s Ta Lo & Iron Fist’s K’un-Lun May Be Connected

Perhaps the most likely opportunity for Finn Jones’ return to the MCU is in Marvel Studios’ upcoming Shang-Chi 2. Destin Daniel Cretton is returning to direct the Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings sequel. It’s possible Shang-Chi 2 could explore more of Ta Lo, and perhaps even connect the mystical world to K’un-Lun, the Iron Fist’s other-dimensional city. This would be a fantastic way to bring the Iron Fist back into the MCU.

Shang-Chi & Iron Fist’s Team-Up Makes Sense

Since both the Iron Fist and Shang-Chi are masters of martial arts, their fight sequences in Shang-Chi 2 would be a sight to behold. Shang-Chi’s use of the Ten Rings and Danny Rand’s mastery of the Iron Fist make them two of the most significant heroes in the MCU. After being neglected in Marvel Television’s Iron Fist, Finn Jones’ Danny Rand would perhaps benefit from being teamed-up with an MCU hero more on his level.