“Iron Fist” refers to multiple entities within the Marvel universe:
1. Iron Fist (Character): Iron Fist, or Daniel Rand, is a fictional superhero in Marvel Comics. Created by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane, he first appeared in Marvel Premiere #15 in May 1974. Trained in martial arts, Rand possesses the mystical ability to summon and focus his chi, granting him enhanced strength and the power to manifest his “Iron Fist.” Originating from the city of K’un-Lun, which appears on Earth every decade, he has been a member of teams like the Avengers and Heroes for Hire.
2. Iron Fist (TV Series): Iron Fist is a television series produced by Marvel Television and aired on Netflix from 2017 to 2018. The show follows Danny Rand (portrayed by Finn Jones), a billionaire Buddhist monk and martial artist who returns to New York City after being missing for years. He reconnects with his family legacy and fights against criminal organizations as the Iron Fist. The series received mixed reviews, with some criticism directed at its pacing and fight choreography.
3. Recent Developments: Marvel Studios is reportedly exploring the return of characters like Iron Fist to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) on Disney+. Brad Winderbaum, head of streaming, television, and animation at Marvel, discussed plans to reintroduce these characters, following Charlie Cox’s reprisal of Matt Murdock/Daredevil in various MCU projects.
Additionally, there are rumors that Shang-Chi 2 will introduce the Agents of Atlas and a new Iron Fist. This follows reports of Marvel Studios registering a UK-based production company named “Atlas Hall,” suggesting preparations for a major project are underway.
In the gaming sphere, Marvel Rivals, released in December 2024, features a diverse roster of characters, including an Asian version of Iron Fist named Lin Lie. This portrayal addresses past cultural appropriation concerns by representing the character as a young Chinese man.
For a glimpse into the series, you can watch the official trailer below: