Nowadays, it seems like the main prerequisite to becoming a superhero is having had your parents brutally murdered during your formative years. Unfortunately for Marvel’s resident master of kung-fu, Iron Fist, he too is part of this sad tradition. With Danny Rand’s story heading to Netflix, Marvel has found the man responsible for the deaths of Rand’s parents in David Wenham, who will portray Harold Meachum on the forthcoming TV series.
Wenham, who you likely remember as Faramir from The Lord of the Rings films, will play Meachum, a ruthless industrialist and corporate leader who was partners with Danny Rand’s parents at the time of their untimely deaths. Exactly what role he plays in Danny’s past and future is unclear at this time, but will be revealed over the course of the series.
If the Netflix series is following the Marvel Comics origin story for Iron Fist, then things are going to get pretty, pretty, pretty dark. Making his debut in 1974’s Marvel Premiere #15, Meachum was on an expedition with the Rand family in the snowy mountains surrounding the mystical, mysterious city of K’un-Lun. Suddenly and without warning, Meachum turned on his three traveling partners, murdering his business partner Wendell Rand by causing him to fall to his death.
After killing his former friend and colleague, he declared his love for Heather, Wendell’s wife, she ran away with her young son Danny, only to be torn apart by wolves. Danny, however, managed to survive and grew up in K’un-Lun, where he trained to become the martial arts master Iron Fist that we know and love.
As a grim reward for his treachery, Meachum got lost in the mountains and nearly froze to death. Although he was rescued and returned to New York, both of his legs had to be amputated as they were badly damaged. While recuperating, he learned that Danny had, in fact, survived and spent his time back in the US running the Rand Corporation and biding his time until Danny would return to take his revenge.
Wenham joins the previously announced Finn Jones (Game of Thrones) and Jessica Henwick (Game of Thrones), who play Danny Rand/Iron Fist and Colleen Wing, respectively. Marvel’s Iron Fist will tell the story of Danny Rand’s return to New York City. After going missing for years, Rand must return to his hometown and fight against the criminal element that is spreading across and corrupting New York City using his kung-fu mastery and the power of the Iron Fist.
What do you think of this casting? What would you like to see from Marvel’s Iron Fist? Let us know in the comments below.
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HT: Marvel
Images: Warner Bros; Marvel
Dan Casey is the senior editor of Nerdist and the author of books about Star Wars and the Avengers. Follow him on Twitter and ask him about his archnemesis (@Osteoferocious).
