Marvel’s grand plan, as Krysten Ritter calls it, continues to unfold with each passing week like one intricate piece of origami, as standalone series simmer in production and new projects muscle their way onto the company’s slate – i.e. the Jon Bernthal-led Punisher spinoff.
One of those chess pieces is Ritter’s own Jessica Jones, which debuted to critical acclaim last year before eventually being awarded with a season two order. Those who watched Ritter’s private eye evolve throughout the course of the show’s inaugural season will know that the finale opened up a lot of options for our title heroine, and during an interview with Digital Spy, the actress speculated on what the future could hold for Jessica.
“I’m excited to see what happens next for Jessica, and the end of season one left a lot of doors open and questions unanswered. Kilgrave was her reason for getting up every morning. Saving people gave her purpose. I wonder how emotionally taxed she’s going to be now. That opens a lot of doors as to who will come out and play. We all live in the same universe, so there are endless possibilities.”
Much like Daredevil before it, Jessica Jones laid the groundwork for Marvel’s Defenders, and Ritter revealed that both JJ season 2 and the ensemble series will film back-to-back.
“They’ll be back-to-back. I don’t know if they’ll overlap a little bit. It’s about to be a serious undertaking. I’m starting my physical training—lots of weight training and boxing.”
Finally, when quizzed about Luke Cage‘s standalone bow – led by Mike Colter, who had a recurring role in Jessica Jones – Ritter made note of the show’s “very different” tone.
“Marvel have this grand plan. Luke Cage will come out, then Iron Fist. In terms of scheduling I don’t know how it will all come out and I can’t even tell you if I’ve filmed Luke Cage. But I’m excited for Mike to have his own show. I know the tone of that show is going to be very different.”
Luke Cage is the next in line to tumble off Marvel and Netflix’s slate, premiering on the streaming service on September 30. It’ll be followed by Iron Fist early in 2017, with Defenders and Jessica Jones season 2 expected to debut soon thereafter.