Announced by Marvel today, Director S.J. Clarkson (Jessica Jones, Orange is the New Black) is to direct the first two episodes of the 2017 Marvel and Netflix series Marvel’s The Defenders. Once more directing for two of the featured characters of the upcoming 8-episode limited series, Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) herself, and Luke Cage (Mike Colter),(‘AKA Crush Syndrome,’ AKA Ladies Night’), having the characters of Daredevil (Charlie Cox), and Iron Fist (Finn Jones) along for the initial ride can only mean familiar flow with the promise of new excitement. Acting powerhouse Sigourney Weaver will also join as an as-yet-unnamed villainess.
With Jessica Jones featuring a roster of exclusively women directors in its soon to start shooting second season, it seems that Marvel’s recent agenda leaning towards gender equality also supports the return of its stellar directing alumni. Both of the episodes Clarkson directed were incredibly human, intimate, and gut wrenching in their own rights. I’m sure more of the same macabre street magic is to come as The Defenders work together to protect New York City.
The story will revolve around four loner heroes that will pull their resources to become stronger as a whole. For those who’ve seen Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Daredevil (which have their first – and where Daredevil is concerned, also second – season available to watch in full on Netflix), imagining these solitary heroic souls working together for the wellbeing of all might sound like a bit of a challenge.
Marvel’s Head of Television, Jeff Loeb seems confident in the choice of Clarkson.
“S.J.’s take on the material is outstanding. …We loved her work on ‘Marvel’s Jessica Jones’ and couldn’t think of a more talented and accomplished person to helm the first two episodes of ‘Marvel’s The Defenders.’”
The Defenders will hit Netflix sometime in 2017.
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