How Game Of Thrones Intersected With Finn Jones’ Casting In Iron Fist

The last time fans saw Finn Jones on HBO’s Game of Thrones, the actor was in a rather troubled spot. The actor, who played Loras Tyrell, was killed alongside dozens of others thanks to Cersei Lannister. On Jones’ last day of shooting, the actor could not have known what was coming. Fan know now that he will be playing Danny Rand/Iron Fist in the hero’s titular Netflix series. And, now, the actor has revealed how his final day filming on Game of Thrones aligned with him being cast in Marvel’s Iron Fist.

UP NEXT: Marvel’s Iron Fist Trailer Is Here!

In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Jones had plenty to say about the swap. The actor said he had just finished his last day of filming for Game of Thrones and was waiting in an airport when he was asked to audition for Iron Fist.

“In hindsight, it seems crazy how lined up it was,” Jones explained. “That was my last day — it was a really nice last day.”

At the time, Marvel was keeping Iron Fist under lock-and-key from everyone including actors who were auditioning for roles. Codenamed ‘Kick,’ Jones quickly figured out the show was not about soccer and instead about ancient martial arts.

“The more I read it, the more it deeply sunk into me. At that moment, I was like, ‘F**k, this is the one,’” he said, referring to his gut-feeling about the show.

For Jones, the role of Danny Rand was one which made total sense. The actor felt he had plenty of things in common with the Marvel hero as they both practiced meditation and abided by Buddhist philosophy. And, what’s more, Jones was intrigued by the kind of power that Danny wielded. “I find that superheroes are very macho and it’s all about them smashing up stuff,” he explained. “Whereas Danny has these inner, powerful energies.”

Still, that doesn’t mean Jones was freed from training for the role because of his connection to Danny; Instead, the actor endured an intense boot camp of kung fu, wushu, and tai chi training with a strict diet to boot. However, Jones did say the effort was worth it. “I think it’s paying off,” he admitted.

More Iron Fist: Lewis Tan Talks Playing Zhou Cheng / Luke Cage’s Mike Colter Teases Heroes For Hire Team-Up / Marvel’s Defenders Assemble At NYCC / Finn Jones On Fighting In Marvel’s Iron Fist

For now, fans will have to take Jones for his word. There has been one short trailer for Iron Fist released this year, but anticipation for the series will continue to grow through the New Year. When Iron Fist finally debuts on Netflix, comic book fans will get to decide whether Jones has lived up to Danny Rand and his martial arts mantle or not.

Marvel’s Iron Fist will debut on Netflix in 2017. It will be followed by Marvel’s Defenders, which will bring together the stars of Marvel’s Daredevil, Marvel’s Jessica Jones, and Marvel’s Luke Cage for a miniseries that will function as a kind of street-level Avengers crossover.

[H/T] Entertainment Tonight