The MCU is growing more expansive than ever over the course of Phase 4, finally including characters that were first seen in Marvel TV's old Netflix shows from a few years back. Within the same week, Charlie Cox's Daredevil had a memorable scene in Spider-Man: No Way Home while Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin was revealed to be the big bad of Hawkeye in Episodes 5 and 6. Now, next in line could potentially be Netflix's biggest power couple: Luke Cage and Jessica Jones.
While it's still a mystery if these two heroes' solo shows will be revived and made canon within the MCU, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige used his classic catchphrase "never say never" when asked about the possibility in early 2021. Also, considering how much fans enjoyed seeing Mike Colter and Krysten Ritter's portrayal of the two characters, their potential inclusion in the canon MCU can't be left off the table.
In March 2022, Ritter even fueled theories about a potential return to her role as Jessica Jones by sharing images of herself wearing an awfully Jessica Jones-esque ensemble for an undisclosed reason.
Now, she's taken to social media yet again with another image that's already sparking new ideas about a potential return three years after she last appeared on Netflix.
Jessica Jones Actress Keeps MCU Rumors Afloat
Jessica Jones star Krysten Ritter took to her Instagram stories to share a selfie of her and Luke Cage star Mike Colter, sparking ideas about a potential reunion in a future MCU project.
This image started some heavy discourse on Twitter and Reddit from fans theorizing about what the two could be doing together.
@Pollos_Hernandy shared the image on Twitter and urged fans to open their eyes to the matter at hand with the caption "EVERYONE WAKE UP-."
@BuhardiMarvel used the two actors' characters in a caption with the picture, expressing hope that they will both return to their roles within the MCU:
"Jessica Jones uploaded a photo with Luke Ca... Sorry, Krysten Ritter uploaded a photo with Mike Colter. It’s worth dreaming. I hope they both come back"
@MacaMaida93 asked if this was a dream coming true with the two actors being in the same photo. The post also included the classic meme of Charlie Day's investigative board from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia with a banner for Alias Investigation from the Jessica Jones series while asking what's blurred out on Ritter's shirt:
"Krysten Ritter and Mike Colter
Do my dreams come true and COME BACK?
Krysten WHAT DID YOU COVER ON YOUR T-SHIRT?"
@bxrzrxk noted how the Echo series is currently filming, sharing the image of Ritter and Colter with the caption "I smell that little things are going to come in Echo"
Multiple comments also appeared on a Reddit page featuring the picture as fans looked to what may be coming with Ritter and Colter.
User u/Rotasevian used Jeremy Renner's memorable line from his first scene in 2019's Avengers: Endgame, begging Marvel with "Don’t do that... don’t give me hope."
u/Nahim33 pointed out the blurred pink sticker on Ritter's shirt, vehemently asking about what the actress would have to hide in the image:
"Why did she blur that sticker? What are you hiding Krysten?????"
u/Nahim33 felt pretty sure that Ritter is shooting new material for the upcoming Echo series, hinting that Colter could be doing the same as well.
"fairly certain she’s shooting for Echo rn."
When Will Jessica Jones and Luke Cage Return?
Now that the six series comprising the Defenders saga are all on Disney+, fans are eagerly awaiting the day when those shows' leading actors all find their way into the MCU story alongside the Avengers. After Cox and D'Onofrio kicked off that transition at the end of last year, all signs are pointing to Ritter and Colter likely being next in line for that distinction.
Some fans have theorized about Ritter coming into play as quickly as August with the debut of She-Hulk, letting the private investigator Jessica interact with one or two of the MCU's most prominent superhero lawyers. Throw in a potential reunion with Charlie Cox's Daredevil and maybe Colter's Luke Cage in the upcoming Echo series, and the excitement only continues to rise for shows like these to arrive on Disney+.
While nothing is confirmed yet for either Jessica Jones or Luke Cage within the MCU, pictures like this one only lead to more theories and ideas coming to life about where they could enter the fray and reprise their heroic roles. For now, however, fans can only wait to find out more official information on the matter as Phase 4 continues to move forward.
Echo is currently filming ahead of its expected 2023 release on Disney+. Meanwhile, She-Hulk begins streaming on August 17.
