“A superhero with a real heart”: When Finn Jones revealed what convinced him to play a Marvel hero in Iron Fist

When Iron Fist premiered on Netflix in 2017, viewers were excited to see Finn Jones step into the shoes of the titular superhero. Though the series received mixed reviews, Jones’ performance and hard work were well appreciated.

The show marked the fourth Marvel project on Netflix, joining the likes of Daredevil and Jessica Jones. Finn Jones went through intense training to prepare for the role of the Buddhist monk with mystical power.

Ahead of the show’s premiere, the actor had an interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2016, in which he revealed what drew him to the role of the Marvel superhero. Jones said he was impressed by how Iron Fist is not just a superhero, but also a spiritual being with a lot of heart:

“I love the character. What really drew me was the character and the story. I really enjoy how he’s a superhero with a real heart but has spiritual elements as well."

Finn Jones once talked about what attracted him to the role of Iron Fist

Iron Fist, aka Danny Rand, is an orphan of a wealthy family who turns into a monk and learns martial arts and kung-fu. Meanwhile, he can call upon a mystical power which gives him immense strength. In the Netflix series, he initially returns to his home in New York City to reclaim his inheritance, but ends up fighting against dangerous threats and saving countless lives.

During the interview, Finn Jones highlighted another interesting aspect of the character that attracted him. Explaining how the superhero is a collision of two starkly different worlds, the actor said:

“On one hand he’s from a very wealthy family, he’s a billionaire, on the other hand, he’s been in this world of K’un-Lun for a long time where he’s learned kung fu and Buddhist philosophy. There’s a contradiction in those elements that’s going to be really fun to play.”

Jones also disclosed how he underwent extreme training, both physically and mentally. He not only bulked up for the role, but also learned martial arts. At the same time, he sought meditation classes and learned about Buddhist philosophies to get into the skin of his character:

“I’m in the physical preparation for the role. Every day for the last month, I start my day with about two and a half hours of martial arts — which is kung fu and wushu mixed with a bit of tai chi, and other stuff as well.”

“In the afternoon, I’ll do weight training with a trainer to bulk me up and get my physical right for the part. And in evenings, I’ve been doing meditation classes and learning Buddhist philosophies.”

Iron Fist premiered in March 2017. Though the show did not live up to the legacy of the rest of the Marvel and Netflix shows, it did amass a huge viewership and a loyal fan base. Four months later, it was renewed for a sophomore season, which was released in September 2018

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Though Jones and the rest of the show’s team were hopeful of getting a third season, Netflix decided to cancel the series in October 2018, leading to disappointment among viewers. The show also starred Jessica Henwick as Colleen Wing, Jessica Stroup as Joy Meachum, Tom Pelphrey as Ward Meachum, Sacha Dhawan as Davos, and Ramón Rodríguez as Bakuto.

Iron Fist is available to stream on Disney+.

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