It was the one casting coup that threatened to steal the show at New York Comic-Con – Sigourney Weaver, star of Alien and James Cameron’s budding Avatar universe, will take point as the villain for The Defenders, Marvel and Netflix’s team-up series that’s earmarked for premiere some time in 2017.
Little is known about the identity of said villain, only that her presence will be enough to rally Jessica Jones, Daredevil, Luke Cage and Iron fist into action. Indeed, we’ve already caught a glimpse of some of those heroes on the streets of NYC thanks to the deluge of set photos, but Weaver’s character remains firmly under wraps for now – and for good reason.
As the actress revealed to Variety, Marvel is taking strides to ensure viewers remain in the dark until The Defenders makes its bow late next year. One tidbit that Sigourney Weaver was able to share, however, is the formidable intelligence of her as-yet-mysterious character.
Per Variety:
“I can’t say much, because they might kill me. I think everyone I work for might kill me if I tell you anything. But I have the most delicious character. She’s really smart, and she’s very in charge.”
Whatever the outcome, Weaver will no doubt bring a particular gravitas to the part. As one of most decorated actresses in the business, Marvel’s decision to bring her on board for The Defenders is arguably one of the studio’s most shrew pieces of casting in some time. Here’s hoping that potential translates to the small-screen.
The Defenders has been penciled in for a 2017 premiere when S.J. Clarkson (Jessica Jones, Vinyl) will helm the first two of eight episodes. Next up for Netflix subscribers is the arrival of Iron Fist on March 17, 2017.