【】

The six-show Netflix extension of the Marvel Cinematic Universe was a brief and fascinating moment for fans who wanted to see underutilized Marvel heroes kick butt on the small screen.

Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Defenders, and The Punisher may have varied in quality during their reign on the streaming service, but most of the characters were missed when Netflix unilaterally cancelled all of their Marvel projects in advance of Disney coming to collect its intellectual property.

Part of Netflix's deal with Disney dictated that the characters seen in the Netflix MCU shows were off limits for adaptation for a period of two years after cancellation. At the time, two years seemed like forever, but while that clock was ticking Disney released its own streaming service and proved it could make high-quality, fully canon Marvel television shows on its own (hello, WandaVision).

Daredevil was the first character to become legally usable in the MCU — as the first Marvel Netflix show to get cancelled, his rights reverted in November 2020. Luke Cage and Iron Fist followed shortly afterward. Now, as of February 2021, Jessica Jones and The Punisher are back in the fold and ready to show up in any Marvel movie or TV show Disney feels fit to slot them.

SEE ALSO:Marvel announces four new Disney+ series including 'I Am Groot' and 'Secret Invasion'

There's no evidence that Marvel Entertainment has plans to sprinkle the prodigal Defenders all over its many, many upcoming Disney+ streaming shows, but it would be satisfying to seesome of the old gang back in full MCU form. Someof the old gang. As in, most of them wouldn't work at all and we should probably just let people forget them. For example:

Danny Rand, a.k.a. Iron Fist

You don't even have the Iron Fist any more, Iron Fist. More like Iron Fistless.Credit: netflix

Don't need him, didn't like him, and frankly there's no room for him in the modern MCU.

His "rich white guy goes to Asia, learns mystical stuff, and becomes the strongest/best practitioner of his craft" sums up the plot of Doctor Strangeand his martial arts angle will be redundant once Shang-Chi comes out.

Mashable Top StoriesStay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news.Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletterBy signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Thanks for signing up!

What might work instead:Iron Fistended with Colleen Wing gaining the power of the Iron Fist but in a sword. A Colleen cameo would be cool, maybe in the Hawkeyeshow or something.

Luke Cage

The Hero of Harlem's work might not be done.Credit: netflix

You know what? Maybe. His show wasn't the best but Luke's positioning as the new underground power in MCU's Harlem means he could pop up later on as an ally or an obstacle to New York–based heroes. Avengers and Avengers-adjacent heroes are always ruining things for New Yorkers, so a plot where the people on the street have a hero of their own to push back could be neat.

What can't work, but would be funny:Mahershala Ali played Luke's nemesis Cottonmouth in Season 1 of Luke Cage. He is also cast as Blade in the upcoming MCU Blademovie. It'll never happen, but if Luke Cage pops up in Blade there's gotta be a moment of "Wait...aren't you? Never mind" recognition.

Jessica Jones

Hey girl, come on in! We've been waiting for you.Credit: netflix

Yes please. She's a super-powered private investigator, she can fit in anywhere. Make her one of She-Hulk's clients. Make her spy on Hawkeye and Kate Bishop. Give her an awkward stakeout meetup with Kamala Khan. The woman leaps buildings in a single bound, she can keep up with the big leagues.

What won't work at all:Jessica Jones would have no patience for Spider-Man and if she's going to be mean to Spider-Man she can stay away from his movies.

Matt Murdock a.k.a Daredevil

Matt Murdock's vacation has lasted long enough. Let him adopt Spider-Man.Credit: netflix

First lost, first regained — if Disney doesn't already have plans for Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock in the MCU then it's just wasting time. Extremely speculative rumors say he's showing up in the third Spider-Man movie, but considering Matt Murdock is a lawyer (rather, an avocado at law) he'd also make sense as a peer to She-Hulk in her Disney+ show. Bonus points if he brings Foggy and Karen along.

Why this totally works:I mean, if there's one member of the legal profession who won't be freaked out when an eight foot tall green woman in a pantsuit shows up in court, it's going to be the blind defense attorney, right?

The Punisher

Catch ya later, Frank.Credit: Netflix

We love Frank, but we're good on his whole thing right now.

When he can come back:Around the same time people on the internet start demonstrating reading comprehension skills hitherto undreamt of.

Related Video: What to binge on the best 30-day free trials