Marvel’s The Defenders Cast Take the Stage at NYCC

During the Marvel Netflix panel at New York Comic-Con 2016, Marvel fans were given a shock when the full cast of The Defenders miniseries event – Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Daredevil (Charlie Cox), Luke Cage (Mike Colter) and Iron Fist (Finn Jones) all took the stage for the very first time.

Needless to say, the crowd went berserk – probably the most berserk we’ve seen since The Avengers cast first took the stage at San Diego Comic-Con back in 2010. From what we learned during cast interviews earlier in the day, this may be the first time the four actors have ever met one another in person. Epic “Excelsior!” moment, for sure.

Of the four actors/onscreen superheroes, Luke Cage Mike Colter had the good fortune of having his show be the popular one of the moment, which filled the room with chants of “LUUUUUUUKE!” that probably drowned out any other cheers. That’s not to say the other Defenders didn’t get shown love – we’re just talking about deafening yells on top of deafening yells, here, people.

If hype for the upcoming Defenders miniseries wasn’t high before, it certainly is now. Cox, Ritter and Colter have earned their fandom by portraying more complex and adult-themed versions of their Marvel heroes than we typically see in the movies; and Game of Thrones star Finn Jones looks well-equipped to do the same (that GoT geek-cred is strong). Seeing how the four jaded heroes come together to face the threat of The Hand will be interesting.

…Did we say The Hand? Oh, well, actually, The Defenders will have to face more than that: they’ll be taking on the additional threat of a mystery villain who will be played by Sigourney Weaver!

MORE: Iron Fist Trailer / Marvel Netflix NYCC Panel Recap / Defenders Villain Reveal / Defenders Take Stage / Iron Fist Clip / The Hand Revealed in Iron Fist

Daredevil seasons 1 and 2, Jessica Jones season 1, and Luke Cage season 1 are all available on Netflix. Iron Fist will premiere on March 17, 2017. The Defenders expected later in the year. The Punisher does not have a release date yet.