Maybe: Sigourney Weaver’s role in ‘Defenders’ confirmed
Maybe. Confirmed. Welcome to the nightmare that is the Internet of 2017. But hey, fuck me for participating in it. But hey, I’m excited for Defenders so I’m gobbling up news pertaining to the show.
With each of the four major players’ solo series available for streaming (Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist), fans are now eagerly awaiting the climactic team-up between the street-level heroes of Marvel’s Netflix universe when The Defenders premieres this summer. And while the series will feature villains that tie into each of the characters’ individual arcs thus far, we might have a new clue about the role of Alexandra – the enigmatic antagonist played by Sigourney Weaver.
The hint about Weaver’s character wasn’t dropped by showrunners, or even a member of the cast. Rather, the information comes from the series’ costume designer Stephanie Maslansky, who discussed Alexandra’s wardrobe in an interview with International Business Times.
“I think that she’s clearly a baddie, and she’s the head of an ancient organization which is grounded in the comics,” Maslansky said in reference to Weaver’s character. “I hope that her wardrobe reflects that kind of ancientness. I hope I haven’t said too much. I hope Marvel doesn’t come after me.”
While there are a number of “ancient organizations” in Marvel Comics lore, the most obvious that comes to mind is the Hand – the order of evil mystical ninjas that was featured heavily in Iron Fist, as well as Season Two of Daredevil. Making their comic book debut in Daredevil #174 back in September 1981, the Hand was said to have been founded in 1588 as a secret society of Japanese samurai. Soon after, the group was corrupted by the Snakeroot – an ancient ninja clan that worships a primordial demon known as “The Beast.”
In October 2016 at New York Comic Con, Weaver was first announced as the primary antagonist for the series. Since then, details surrounding her character have been scarce. However, given Maslansky’s statement, along with the recently released trailer’s implication that Alexandra may be working with Elektra, it’s certainly plausible that Weaver could very well be the head of the Hand in The Defenders.