While the Avengers battle both powerful enemies and one another, the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. deal with the global threat of Hydra (and now Hive), and the Guardians of the Galaxy do whatever it is they’re doing, life carries on as normal in New York City. Well, as normal as things can get in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the wake of the Chitauri attack, blind vigilante Daredevil has staked out his territory in Hell’s Kitchen, superpowered private detective Jessica Jones has dealt with a ghost from her past, and this year bulletproof bar owner Luke Cage will be getting his own Netflix series.

Before the heroes of New York team up for The Defenders, however, Iron Fist is set to arrive on the VOD platform, starring Finn Jones (Game of Thrones) as martial arts master Daniel Rand. In the comics, Danny travels to a mystical city called K’un-Lun as a child, where he is raised as the adopted son of the city’s ruler. According to the official synopsis for Iron Fist, the show will pick up when Danny returns to New York after his many years away and uses the skills he’s learned (and the mystical force called the Iron Fist) to fight crime and corruption.

Like the other series in the Defenders universe, Iron Fist is filming on location around New York City, which means that set photos have already offered fans a look at Jones in character. Those set photos showed Jones walking barefoot through the streets of New York, heavily bearded and carrying a bag, which suggested scenes that take place immediately after his re-entry into the country. Now, however, some new set photos obtained by ComingSoon offer a first look at Jones showing off his fighting stances.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE IRON FIST SET PHOTOS

Jones appears to be wearing the same clothes as he was in the previous photos, only now he has ditched the bag and donned split toe shoes and a robe. We’ve yet to see any photos of Jones wearing the traditional green and yellow Iron Fist costume; it could be the case that, like Daredevil, he doesn’t acquire it until later in the show. Jones has said that his training for the role included studying both martial arts and meditation, as well as some weight-lifting to help him bulk up.

1st official set photos of @FinnJones as DANNY RAND in Marvel’s IRON FIST

He looks freaking awesome can’t wait pic.twitter.com/jwZiWsXe0a— GOAT Movie Podcast (@GOATfilmpodcast) May 1, 2016

There was some controversy over the casting of Iron Fist, since audiences have become more critical of the “white savior” trope (and Orientalist fantasies) since the character was created, and some fans were hoping that an Asian actor might be cast in the role of Daniel Rand in order to give the MCU a bit more diversity. Others disagreed, arguing that Danny’s background as a caucasian child who is raised in an Asian culture is an integral part of his character. No matter which side you agree with, it will definitely be interesting to see showrunner Scott Buck’s (Dexter) take on the character when Iron Fist arrives on Netflix, which is expected to happen some time in 2017.

Daredevil season 1 & 2 and Jessica Jones season 1 are now available on Netflix. Luke Cage season 1 will arrive on September 30th, 2016. Release dates for Jessica Jones season 2, Iron Fist, and The Defenders on Netflix have not yet been announced.

Source: ComingSoon