SDCC17 Marvel’s The Defenders Panel: Live Blog

Footage starts with a one-minute countdown clock. Lines from the other shows can be heard. The clock finishes and Jeff Loeb comes onto the stage. He thanks the fans for making it into Hall H.

Loeb promises there are surprises coming. He says that it’s an honor to have this dream of The Defenders has finally become a reality. He says that there will be never-before-seen footage coming. He also teases strong language coming.

Jeff Loeb is surprised by an award from the people at Comic-Con. He’s presented with the Ink Pot Award for Comic Television. The crowd rises with applause. He’s trying hard to hold back tears; speechless. Jeff Loeb urges everyone to never give up on their dreams.

Loeb says to stick around because there is something big coming at the end of the panel. He then thanks many members of the crew. After revealing his Defenders dream, Loeb initiates the Happy Birthday song for Alli Goss.

Jon Bernthal comes onto the stage and hugs Jeff Loeb

Enter Bernthal

Bernthal wishes Alli a happy birthday. Loeb says that the people at Netflix wanted Bernthal to have a solo series. He asks Bernthal how he feels about it.

“Frank’s very much in my heart. I’m eternally grateful to get another crack at him. I’m eternally grateful to the men and women in law enforcement, to the men and women who serve our country, and to the comic readers. We want to do the ebst by you.”

Clip from Punisher:

Frank is seen with his child playing guitar. Cut in between with Frank alone, getting angry, sitting against a wall and playing guitar.

Now he drives down a road in Alabame wearing the classic Punisher shirt. He shoots down two men on motorcycles, then runs them over, leaving blood behind him. 

In mexico, a group of men are yelling at a part. Frank’s gun is aimed at them from afar. He gets on man in his crosshairs. He fires the shot, there’s a long delay, the bullet goes through the man’s head. Frank was taking the shot from El Paso, TX.

A rich man enters a bathroom in NY. Frank busts into his stall and beats him up. He begs Punisher by saying that everyone is already dead. He says killing him won’t bring Frank’s family back. Frank agrees but chokes him to death anyway. Frank zips up his hoodie as he exits the bathroom.

The Defenders Introduced

Marco Ramirez (Showrunner), Jessica Henwick (Colleen Wing), Debra Ann Woll (Karen Page), Elodie Yung (Elektra), Sigourney Weaver are all welcomed to the stage. There is a standing ovation now. Finn Jones (Iron Fist), Mike Colter (Luke Cage), Krysten Ritter (Jessica Jones), Charlie Cox (Daredevil) are all brought onto the stage. 

Jeph Loeb says Iron Fist Season 2 is ready to start production soon. Misty Knight will be in there.

Loeb asks Marco Ramirez about writing Defenders.

“The big challenge was honoring all of the characters so that The Defenders was it’s own story, so that it was self-contained.”

Loeb asks Jessica about where she is in Defenders.

“She was had everything ripped away from her at the end of Iron Fist. We catch up with her and Danny and they’re not in New York, they’re somewhere else. She needs to grieve.”

Loeb asks Debra about filming Defenders and Punisher at the same time.

“Trying to keep her consistent across all of the shows was tough, but the writers made it much easier.”

Loeb talks about Elektra being put into a grave. He asks Yung about who Elektra is in this season.

“Basically Elektra is amnesiac, she’s trained by Alexandra to be some sort of a weapon. How much of the Elektra that we all know remains? Well, we will find out.”

Sigourney asks about meeting The Defenders for the first time. Sigourney says they met at New York Comic Con.

‘I was already a huge fan of Daredevil and Jessica Jones. I love the character of New York City, it is indeed one of the five Defenders. When they offered me a part I couldn’t refuse. 

“It was a joy to work here with all of you and I appreciate it.”

Finn Jones is asked about Season 1 of Iron Fist, and his evolution in Defenders.

“I’ve always thought that Season 1 of Iron Fist and The Defenders was like a Phase 1 for Danny. It’s been fun to see him evolve over those two series.”

Jeph Loeb says ‘Mike’ and the fans go wild. He asks about where Luke Cage is in Defenders, now that he is known as the hero of Harlem. “Eventually you and Danny will become friends but what is that all about?”

“The Defenders is really about the people. The relationships are the best part of the series to me. We all shared the screen and enjoyed seeing each other.”

Loeb asks Ritter about her approach to Jessica in the new Defenders series.

“Jessica doesn’t really want to play with others and she doesn’t want help. Underneath it all, she does have a gooey inside. She will rise to the occassion. She goes along with these guys because she know’s she’s valuable. She will take every opportunity to make fun of the other characters.”

Loeb addresses Charlie, and he says that he had the biggest challenge of being ghe first one.

“I remember signing a contract and there being a vague mention of a show called The Defenders but it will happened so quickly.”

Marco: “This isn’t the kind of show where they will have a headquarters or wear uniforms. These people live in the back alleys.”

Show Them Stuff!

The cast tells Jeph to show the fans some stuff about Defenders.

They’re showing the whole first episode of The Defenders.

Stay tuned….