Marvel has an unfortunate habit of absorbing its stars. Many of the most beloved actors of modern memory are unfairly reduced to a single role in the most financially successful empire in the entertainment industry. Jessica Henwick’s movies and TV shows cover a wide variety of engaging tones and genres, but many Marvel fans feel that her character in the MCU was underused.
Most Marvel Cinematic Universeprojects reach a baseline level of cultural impact. The Marvel logo confers certain expectations and usually ensures a standard of quality. Only a few entries in the ongoing franchise were received poorly enough to be panned and forgotten. Near the bottom of the pile, just aboveHellstrom,sitsIron Fist.
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Who did Jessica Henwick play in the MCU?
Jessica Henwick stars inIron Fistas Colleen Wing. She reprises the role inThe Defendersand the second season ofLuke Cage. Colleen Wing was created in 1974 by comic book writer Doug Moench and artist Larry Hama. Moench is best knownfor creating Moon Knight, Deathlok, Black Mask, and other iconic characters. Wing hails from a long line of samurai and learned their techniques from her grandfather. Wing is one of the most frequent collaborators of Iron Fist. She frequently works alongside the X-Men, Spider-Man, and Daredevil. One of her most memorable storylines is her long friendship with Misty Knight. They’re a perfect double act, a no-nonsense cop with a bionic arm and an honorable samurai. She’s never been a top-tier Marvel hero, but Colleen Wing remains iconic among fans.
Henwick’s take on Colleen Wing was faithful and compelling. Henwick was regularly praised as one of the finest performers inIron Fist. Many critics would take time out of denigrating the show to praise Henwick. Colleen Wing was seen as one of the most compelling characters in the series, and her performance was celebrated. Henwick delivered some of the best actionscenes in theDefendersuniverse. Unfortunately, her appearances across the spin-off universe weren’t enough to save her from being associated with the doomed ship she rode in on. While fans clamor for the return of Charlie Cox’s Daredevil or Jon Bernthal’s Punisher, almost everything associated withIron Fistis unfairly forgotten. Jessica Henwick’s Colleen Wing deserved better, and contemporary critics saw her appeal.
What are Jessica Henwick’s other movies and TV shows?
The Marvel Netflix universe wrapped in 2018. Since then, Jessica Henwick has appeared in several unique and intriguing roles. Her biggest cinematic role sinceIron Fistis likelyinThe Matrix: Resurrections. She stars as Bugs, the captain of the hovercraftMnemosyne. Bugs was a Matrix citizen who saw Neo attempt suicide, only to hover hundreds of feet in the air. She leads some of the film’s finest action scenes and serves a unique role in the franchise. Henwick famously chose toskip an audition forShang Chito read for Bugs. Henwick appeared in the horror filmUnderwater, the adventure movieLove and Monsters, and the well-received dramedyOn the Rocksin 2020. Henwick played a CIA handler inThe Gray Manand a put-upon assistant inGlass Onion, both for Netflix. She’s set to appear inCuckooandThe Royal Hotellater this year.
Henwick had a supporting role inGame of Thronesbefore stepping into the MCU. She played Nymeria Sand, one of Oberyn Martell’s Sand Snakes who briefly ruled Dorne. Shortly after the Marvel Netflix universe wrapped, she lent her voice to Alexia, Leader of the Amazons in theanimated seriesBlood of Zeus. She starred inBlade Runner: Black Lotus. She portrayed Elle, a mighty replicant warrior. Henwick is set to appear inTwilight of the Gods, an animated take on Norse mythology co-directed by Zack Snyder.
How can Jessica Henwick return to the MCU?
Assuming Jessica Henwick has any interest in coming back, the nextproject for Colleen Wingwould be obvious. Wing got a chance to interact with Misty Knight, but they never launched the Daughters of the Dragon series that could have been. If Jessica Henwick and Simone Missick could be persuaded to return, they’d be welcomed by the fanbase. The comic books provide an odyssey of source material to follow, the performers had excellent chemistry, and their work was the best part of their previous show.
Jessica Henwick’s movies and TV shows demonstrate a ton of range and recognizable parts in some of pop culture’s biggest projects. Henwick recently stepped into the director’s chair for the first time in her celebrated short film “Bus Girl.” There are many new and intriguing worlds for Henwick to visit,but fans of the MCUwould love to see her give Colleen Wing another chance. As fun as she was the first time, it’d be great to see her in a series that wasn’t immediately panned, canceled, and forgotten.
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