Iron Fist Star Returns to Twitter After Leaving Over Controversy

Iron Fist has arguably been the most turbulent of the four Marvel Netflix shows leading up to The Defenders crossover event – and a lot of it has to do with the issue of diversity, which has been the core theme (and/or controversy) surrounding all of Phase III of Marvel Cinematic Universe.

While films like Black Panther and Captain Marvel will be diversifying things on the big screen, Iron Fist has interestingly enough become a lightning rod for not being as diverse as preceding Marvel Netflix shows Jessica Jones and Luke Cage. In fact, that social media uproar leading up to Iron Fist‘s March premiere caused show star Finn Jones (Game of Thrones) to (temporarily) quit Twitter.

On Sunday, Jones, was seen exchanging in a debate over diversity with other Twitter users; soon after, he deleted his account on the social media platform. Speaking exclusively to Deadline, Jones stated that, “I’m currently in the middle of filming and I need to stay focused on bringing to life this character without judgment, so I decided to remove myself from Twitter for the time being.”

Jones has since reactivated his account. Whether that’s because he cooled off, or has a show coming out in a week (with all the expectations of social media interaction that go with it), is anyone’s guess.

Jones released a full statement on the entire issue of the Iron Fist “controversy,” which you can read HERE. If you want to see how this all began, Deadline has a breakdown of the tweets, which you can see for yourself.

The weird thing about all this is: the showrunners of Iron Fist have stayed true to the Marvel Comics roots of the character and story! Jones’ Danny Rand isn’t the recasting of a traditionally minority character (like, say, Scarlett Johansson in Ghost in the Shell); Jones fits the image of the traditional Danny Rand, and his story is one with a point.

When we here at Comicbook.com sat down with Jones and the Iron Fist showrunners at New York Comic-Con, the topic of discussion was how a Western boy of privilege, raise in Eastern values, comes to view and critique the Western world upon returning to it. There’s potential in that for not only an inoffensive look at Eastern culture, but a progressive use of that culture as a lens to critique our own. The bottom line is: the real criticism (or not) of this “issue” has to wait until Iron Fist is on Netflix.

MORE IRON FIST NEWS: Finn Jones Pushes Back Against White-Washing Criticisms / Iron Fist Star Teases Potential Spin-offs / Iron Fist Shares New Behind The Scene Stills

Fifteen years after being presumed dead in a plane crash, Danny Rand (Finn Jones) mysteriously returns to New York City determined to reclaim his birthright and family company. However, when a long-destined enemy rises in New York, this living weapon is forced to choose between his family’s legacy and his duties as the Iron Fist.

Marvel’s Iron Fist was developed by Scott Buck. The Netflix series stars Finn Jones as Danny Rand, a martial arts expert with the ability to call upon the power of the Iron Fist. The cast also includes Jessica Henwick, David Wenham, Jessica Stroup, Tom Pelphrey, and Rosario Dawson.

Marvel’s Iron Fist premieres March 17, 2017 exclusively on Netflix.

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