Jackie Shannon
Marvel Studios continues its love affair with Australian actors – the burgeoning powerhouse has so far cast Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Hugo Weaving (Captain America: The First Avenger), Rachael Taylor (Jessica Jones), Eka Darville (Jessica Jones), and Luke Mitchell (Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D) in its various films and TV projects – with the announcement that David Wenham will take on the role of Harold Meachum in their upcoming Netflix series, Iron Fist, which stars Finn Jones as Daniel Rand, the arse-kicking superhero who brings the smack down on New York’s criminals through his mastery of martial arts. A ruthless corporate leader, Harold Meachum was a business partner of Danny Rand’s parents at the time of their mysterious deaths, and plays a vital role in the title character’s ascent to superhero status. “I’m very excited to have David as our Harold Meachum. David is capable of displaying raw, visceral strength as well as extremely keen intelligence,” said executive producer and showrunner, Scott Buck. “This will add up to a character of complex depth who will keep us off balance all season.”
The role in Iron Fist (which ties in with Netflix’s other Marvel properties, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and the upcoming Luke Cage) must be a good one, as David Wenham has been famously reticent to decamp to the US. “There have been character dangles, yeah, but I’d have to move there on a semi-permanent basis,” the actor told FilmInk in 2011 when asked if he’d considered working in the states on TV. “I don’t discount the possibility, but it really would have to be the right project. America makes amazing television, and if I could be involved in one of those amazing pieces, I’d certainly jump at the opportunity, but there’s certainly a lot of other stuff where I’d rather poke my eye out with a fork than sign up for doing five years on.”
One thing is for sure: the role of Harold Meachum will allow David Wenham to continue his habit of playing widely varied characters in widely varied projects. “Being able to move across roles has been extremely liberating because it gives you opportunities to play a wide spectrum of characters, which is my interest,” the actor told FilmInk in 2011. “I don’t want to be put in a narrow casting band. I’d like to consider many varied characters irrespective of how big they are and how much screen time they have, as long as they’re creatively fulfilling and that I have an opportunity to work with inspiring people, whether it be the director or fellow cast members. That’s the go for me.”
Iron Fist will stream on Netflix in 2017.
