MCU Features 6 Variants of Its Second Lowest Rated Marvel Hero With Uncertain Future

After the conclusion of What If…? season 3, Marvel Studios has introduced six versions of Iron Fist within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), despite the uncertain future of Finn Jones’ less-than-favored portrayal of the character. The latest season offered viewers an imaginative twist on beloved MCU figures, including Winter Soldier Bucky Barnes, Agatha Harkness, Bruce Banner’s Hulk, and Shang-Chi. Notably, Shang-Chi featured prominently in episode 6 titled “What If… 1872?”, alongside an intriguing new character within the MCU.

What If…? Introduced The MCU’s Sixth Iron Fist

A New Iron Fist Emerges in What If…? Season 3, Episode 6

In this episode, the narrative plunges into a Wild West alternate reality where prominent MCU characters like Shang-Chi and Hawkeye, portrayed by Kate Bishop, embark on a quest to rescue Xu Xialing—who is shockingly revealed to be the notorious Hood, a villain slated to appear in the upcoming Ironheart series. The episode not only deepens our understanding of established characters but also marks the introduction of the sixth known incarnation of Iron Fist to the MCU.

During their perilous journey, Shang-Chi and Kate Bishop stumble upon a ravaged town such as they search for the Hood. Here, they meet a young boy named Kwai Jun-Fan, who provides invaluable information about Sonny Burch’s floating train—a vessel carrying brainwashed individuals that would serve as the Hood’s army, including Jun-Fan’s own father. The episode further hints at Jun-Fan’s significance when he is saved by the omnipotent Watcher, indicating his eventual evolution into a pivotal figure in the MCU.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rkt9yNVmtQ

What If…? Season 3 | Mind If I Take Off My Hat First? | Disney+ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rkt9yNVmtQ)

For ardent fans of Marvel Comics, Kwai Jun-Fan is recognized as the Iron Fist around 1878 in the American West, primarily in Texas. With What If…? season 3 set in 1872, it stands to reason that, some years later, he might embody the Iron Fist after his escapades with Shang-Chi and Kate Bishop. This potential is hinted at towards the episode’s end when Hawkeye remarks on Jun-Fan having “got some iron fists,”with the Watcher teasing the “origin story of a new hero’s rise.”

The Legacy of Iron Fist in the MCU Before Kwai Jun-Fan

Netflix’s Iron Fist: Establishing a History of Multiple Iron Fists

Had it not been confirmed in early 2024 that Netflix’s Defenders Saga is part of the MCU canon, Jun-Fan’s introduction would have been the franchise’s inaugural mention of the Iron Fist. Although the Iron Fist series received poor reviews, it successfully established the character as a key protector of K’un-Lun and an adversary to the Hand. The mantle was originally worn by Finn Jones’ Danny Rand, who gained his powers after conquering the dragon Shou-Lao.

Interestingly, British-Scottish actor Ray Park was considered for the role of Iron Fist back in the early 2000s, but the project never materialized. Park is known for his role as Toad in the 2000 X-Men film.

After leaving K’un-Lun, Danny Rand utilized his Iron Fist abilities as a vigilante in New York City, joining forces with the other Defenders: Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage. Yet, his involvement was met with disapproval from his former allies, leading Davos to plot against him to claim the Iron Fist. Although Davos succeeded for a time, Rand and Colleen Wing eventually reclaimed the Iron Fist, passing it to Colleen and allowing her to assume the mantle.

Defenders Saga Show	Lead Hero	Lead Star	Release
Daredevil	Matt Murdock’s Daredevil	Charlie Cox	2015-2018
Jessica Jones	Jessica Jones	Krysten Ritter	2015-2019
Luke Cage	Luke Cage	Mike Colter	2016-2018
Iron Fist	Danny Rand’s Iron Fist	Find Jones	2017-2018
The Defenders Saga	All of the Above	All of the Above	2017
The Punisher	Frank Castle’s Punisher	Jon Bernthal	2017-2019

The conclusion of Netflix’s Iron Fist sees both Colleen Wing and Danny Rand holding the Iron Fist, with Colleen utilizing its powers to safeguard New York, and Rand traveling worldwide with Ward Meachum seeking the enigmatic Orson Randall. Importantly, the series has also established at least two previous Iron Fist hosts: one who protected K’un-Lun against a rogue group of soldiers in 1948 and the legendary Wu Ao-Shi, recognized as the first female Iron Fist.

In Marvel Comics, the powers of Shou-Lao were first bestowed upon Fan Fei, a native of K’un-Lun from 1,000,000 BC. Following her, Wu Ao-Shi became the Iron Fist in 1545, succeeded by Bei Bang-Wen in the mid-1800s and Kwai Jun-Fan in the 1870s. Notably, Orson Randall—the first Iron Fist of Western descent—has yet to make his live-action debut but fought in World War I long before Danny Rand took on the mantle.

The Challenges Faced by Iron Fist’s Reception

The Disappointment of Netflix’s Iron Fist in The Defenders Saga

Danny Rand fighting in Netflix's Iron Fist series

While the return of characters like Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Jon Bernthal to the MCU has generated excitement, the prospect of Finn Jones reprising his role as Danny Rand has not received the same enthusiasm. The legacy of Iron Fist has been marred by the lukewarm reception of the Netflix series, which aired for two seasons from 2017 to 2018. Critiques targeted its predictability, sluggish pacing, and subpar fight choreography.

Iron Fist Season	Release Date	RT Tomatometer	RT Popcornmeter
Iron Fist Season 1	March 17, 2017	20%	71%
Iron Fist Season 2	September 7, 2018	55%	61%

The deficiencies in Finn Jones’ fight choreography resulted in action scenes that were slow and often lacked the energy viewers expected. Although season 2 delivered some improvements, it remained below expectations. This decision by Marvel Studios to introduce Kwai Jun-Fan in What If…? and prepare for a new Iron Fist in the upcoming Eyes of Wakanda series seems strategic before any return from Danny Rand. Nonetheless, it would be fulfilling to see Finn Jones—in many fans’ eyes, a fitting choice for Rand—granted another opportunity to portray Iron Fist in the MCU.

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