New Netflix/Marvel series Iron Fist has hit the headlines following release, and not for all the right reasons. Gaining some less-than-impressive critical reviews, the show has also been at the brunt of negative reaction because of its white male lead.
Jessica Henwick as Colleen Wing in Marvel's Iron Fist / Credit: Netflix
One of the people who isn’t afraid to speak about the comments being made is actress Jessica Henwick, who plays Iron Fist’s ally Colleen Wing in the series.
Speaking to EW in a recent interview, the actress said the controversy surrounding the property was something she considered before joining the show.
“It was a hard decision to make to join the show”, she said. “Not because of the material or anything. But I’m part of the Asian community. I’m Asian. I’m an actor. If anyone understands the conversation, it’s me. I’ve lived and breathed it.”
She added: “When I came on to Iron Fist, it was really Colleen Wing that sold it for me. I thought it was a good opportunity to see a really strong female Asian American… She’s not a superhero; she’s just an ordinary person who has the guts to fight people with superpowers. Which I think is amazing!”
Despite Iron Fist not paving the way for an Asian superhero just yet, Henwick does have hope for the future.
“I would love to see an Asian American superhero,” she concluded. “And I think it’s going to happen. There’s something about fantasy and sci-fi that seems more welcoming of different ethnicities. It means that I’ve been presented with a lot of really cool opportunities.”
What do you think? Should we see an Asian American superhero in the future? Could writers even turn the Colleen character into a superhero in her own right in upcoming Marvel/Netflix releases?
Iron Fist is available to stream now on Netflix, alongside Daredevil, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage. Collaborative series The Defenders drops later this year.
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