‘Luke Cage’ Season 2 May Have An Important Callback To ‘The Avengers’

Luke Cage caught the Marvel fandom by surprise last year with its critical reception, and the show’s second season hopes to reproduce the same praise. Production on the show’s new season is underway, and its first set photo just debuted Misty Knight‘s bionic arm. So, if you look online, expect to see fans speculating whether the heroine’s prosthetic will tie Luke Cage into the larger MCU.

If you need context about Misty’s arm, then you have some catching up to do. The police officer has a complicated history in the Marvel Universe, and her stint in the MCU has become just as complex. After debuting in Luke Cage, Misty returned to Netflix this month in The Defenders. By the end of the miniseries, Misty was beginning to doubt her tenure as a cop, and her decision to help out Colleen Wing during a fight all but sealed her resignation.

During a confrontation with Bakuto, Misty got in front of Colleen to protect her, and the Hand member’s sword cut off Misty’s right arm. The Defenders left off with Misty as she recovered in a hospital on Danny Rand’s dime, and the woman will be fitted with a fully bionic arm by the time Luke Cage’s next season goes live.

Misty’s prosthetic arm may make fans think of Bucky Barnes and his amputation, but it is Iron Man who MCU diehards should look to. After all, it is Tony Stark who makes Misty’s bionic arm in the comics. The heroine’s right arm was made by Stark International before Iron Man built her a new one containing vibranium. Misty’s bionic arm is meant to have all sorts of add-ons such as inhuman strength, repulsor technology, and even technopathic capabilities.

Of course, fans should temper their expectations about Iron Man popping into Luke Cage. Marvel Studios has previously stated it has no plans to mix its film and TV projects so directly, but Stark Industries could come into play with Misty’s arm. The heroine may simply say the company is the one that provided her bionic arm. However, there is a chance that Luke Cage will bypass its Avengers connection all together.

As fans saw, Danny Rand took it upon himself to take care of Misty in the wake of her amputation. The billionaire set up the heroine’s care in the hospital at the end of The Defenders. Marvel Studios may find it easier to give Iron Fist credit for Misty’s arm than to loop in Tony Stark. Iron Man may be able to make the prosthetic himself, but Danny has enough money to bankroll his own bionic arm. After all, Iron Fist’s involvement would explain the lack of red-and-gold coloring on Misty’s new arm.