Eric Thomas Wilson's Video Pitch to Star in Marvel's Luke Cage
Posted 07.19.11 by BrentJS
Despite the glut of comic book superheroes on the big screen in recent years, there have been few available roles for black actors to charge in and save the day. It's no wonder then that there is big competition for the the title character in one of the only comic book movies in development based on a black hero, Marvel Studios' Luke Cage.
Tyrese Gibson of Transformers fame was one of the first to campaign to play the character over two years ago, and he recently challenged Marvel to "show some more respect" to Luke Cage and "get some traction" on the movie. British actor Idris Elba has also expressed his interest in jumping from the golden halls of Asgard as Heimdall in Thor to the mean streets of Harlem in Luke Cage. Isaiah "Old Spice Guy" Mustafa did both of them one better, actually putting together a trailer showing what a movie with him in the lead might look like. Now, Eric Thomas Wilson has also put together his own trailer as a video pitch to show why he should be the one to don Cage's silver tiara (yeah, we know Luke stopped wearing that when he stopped being "Power Man," but it makes for a nice mental image).
Marvel Studios President of Production Kevin Feige has confirmed that a Luke Cage movie is in development. However, it is still in very early stages, with no screenwriter or director attached. In current Marvel Comics continuity, Luke Cage is actually the leader of the "New Avengers" under S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Commander Steve Rogers (formerly Captain America). Considering Marvel is already well into production on The Avengers, it's more likely that the Luke Cage movie will center around his days as a "Hero for Hire" in Harlem, possibly teamed with his long-time friend and partner Danny Rand, aka Iron Fist (perhaps writer-actor-martial artist Eric Gable would consider a team-up).
For more information about the origin of Luke Cage and his current place in the Marvel Universe, check out the official profile of the "Hero for Hire" on the Marvel website.