More characters have recently been announced to join the cast of Marvel's "Luke Cage" which will premiere on Netflix next year.
Joining Mike Colter as the titular hero of the series is Alfre Woodard, who will play a lead character known as Minetta. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Minetta is a very influential woman in local politics who makes an impact on Luke's life. The website speculates that she may also be a version of Black Mariah, a super villain who clashes with Luke and Iron Fist.
And it looks like Black Mariah won't be the only villain that the Marvel superhero will be facing as "House of Cards" star Mahershala Ali will be joining the cast as Cornell "Cottonmouth" Stokes. Cottonmouth is described as a nightclub owner who becomes an unexpected enemy of Luke's when his criminal undertakings threaten Luke's world.
"Sons of Anarchy" alum Theo Rossi has also been added to the cast as a series regular, but details about his role are being kept under wraps as The Wrap reports that Rossi could play another villain who will face off against Luke.
Despite these three characters, Luke's biggest battle is said to be with another person rumored to be the show's big bad on its first season. According to a leaked synopsis which was first reported by Heroic Hollywood, Luke will be exchanging blows with Willis Striker, also known as Diamondback.
In the comics, Luke and Willis are childhood friends who happen to fall in love with the same woman. In the synopsis, Luke gets framed for a crime, and he goes to prison for it. It turns out that Willis was the one who framed Luke. While in jail, he participates in an experiment which goes wrong, and he emerges from the experiment with super strength and bullet-proof skin, and after his prison stint, he becomes a hero for hire.
Netflix has not confirmed if this is the official synopsis for the show's first season, nor has the streaming service announced the actor playing Diamondback.
"Luke Cage" is slated to premiere on Netflix in 2016.
