According to Entertainment Weekly, the now-filming second season of “Luke Cage” has added two new cast members. The Netflix series has set “The Night Of” actor Mustafa Shakir as ‘John McIver‘, a “natural leader brimming with charisma, whose mission is focused on Harlem and vengeance.” Astute Marvel fans will recognize the name as that of the first incarnation of the villa Bushmaster.
McIver began his career as a street criminal, but eventually underwent experimental surgery of his own that granted him powers like Cage, in this case the ability to absorb the energy of others. While it remains to be seen if the show’s version of Bushmaster will do the same, it has the potential to do so. There was eventually a second Bushmaster in the comics: Quincy McIver. Quincy is the younger brother of John and his abilities are decidedly more fantastical. After an accident rendering him a quadruple amputee, Quincy received bionic transplants that gave him new arms, as well as a snake-like tail that replace his lower half. Not long after, he understandably became a member of the villainous group The Serpent Society.
Joining Shakir is actress Gabrielle Dennis (“Insecure“) as ‘Tilda Johnson‘, a “brilliant holistic doctor who can’t seem to steer clear of Harlem’s trouble no matter how much she tries.” In the comics, Johnson went by the supervillain name Nightshade (pictured up top). She was typically heavily armored and used chemical compounds to control men and animals, as well as a special serum that could turn people into werewolves. She even did the latter to Captain America once, resulting in his infamous Cap-Wolf stint.
As much as I’d love the MCU to finally delve into horror territory (beyond the Ghost Rider arc on “SHIELD“), I’ll be surprised if the first instance of it happens on “Luke Cage”. Such a seismic event seems better suited for an eventual Moon Knight or Blade series on down the road. Still, you never know! I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to Luke duking it out with a werewolf on the streets of Harlem. That aside, given her description above, I’m betting the series sticks mostly turn her armored up alter-ego with a penchant for using crafted compounds to control those around her.
Shakir and Dennis join a returning cast comprised of Mike Coulter (‘Luke Cage’), Simone Missick (‘Misty Knight’), Alfre Woodard (‘Mariah Dillard’), Theo Rossi (‘Shades’), and Rosario Dawson (‘Claire Temple’). As stated above, filming on the season is already underway, with its premiere expected to arrive mid-2018. Luke Cage himself will next been seen in the crossover event series “The Defenders“, which premieres next month.
