Amidst the burst of comics on screen, Netflix has blazed a path for its own hit franchise with its string of Marvel-centric shows. It launched the properties with Daredevil in 2015, followed with successful offshoots Jessica Jones and Luke Cage, and has already mapped out headlining series for Iron Fist and The Punisher.

Perhaps one of its hottest upcoming projects is The Defenders, a crime drama that unites Netflix's band of morally gray superheroes for a much-anticipated mini-series. Charlie Cox (Matt Murdock/Daredevil), Krysten Ritter (Jessica Jones), and Mike Colter (Luke Cage) have all signed on to reprise their leading roles. Finn Jones will make his debut in the on-screen Marvel universe with Iron Fist in March before joining his fellow crime-fighters in Defenders.

Now, following months of speculation, The Defenders has officially been confirmed for a summer 2017 release, Entertainment Weekly reports. Though no specific premiere date has been announced, THR pegs its arrival as sometime in June. It will also get a preview this May on Free Comic Book day.

Marvel Defenders 1 cover promo

That’s still a relatively lengthy wait, but Netflix has already offered plenty of sneak peaks, including subtle plot clues, a wealth of set photos, and plenty of casting reveals. Confirmed to appear in The Defenders so far are Elektra (Elodie Young), Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson), Malcolm Ducasse (Eka Darville), Rachael Taylor (Trish Walker), Jeri Hogarth (Carrie-Anne Moss), Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson), Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll), and Misty Knight (Simone Missick). Sigourney Weaver will also join as the mysterious villain, Alexandra.

According to EW, Defenders will pick up with each of the heroes arriving at the offices of Midland Circle. Before the can get properly acquainted, they find themselves trapped in the middle of a corridor, and must battle their way past a barrage of enemies. “Every one of them is following their own trail of bread crumbs, trying to unpack a mystery in New York,” showrunner Marco Ramirez — who produced Daredevil‘s first season before co-helming the second —told the outlet. “We wanted them all caught off guard. Once they’re in that room together, it’s kind of like, ‘Oh, s—, who are you?'”

Alas, that’s as much as Ramirez revealed, but Marvel fans won’t have to wait too long before watching the whole thing unfold for themselves, and Iron Fist should prove a suitable holdover. In fact, his story should serve as a necessary primer for Defenders, and will likely help set up the forces at work when The Defenders unite this summer.

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Daredevil seasons 1 and 2, Jessica Jones season 1, and Luke Cage season 1 are now available on Netflix. Iron Fist will premiere on March 17, 2017. The Defenders and The Punisher will arrive in 2017. Premiere dates for the newest seasons of Jessica JonesDaredevil, and Luke Cage have not yet been announced.

Source: Entertainment Weekly