Marvel has enjoyed success on the big and small screen in recent years, thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. On the TV side, the MCU encompasses a long-running show on ABC in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and a collection of gritty New York-based superhero TV shows on Netflix that includes Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and the upcoming adaptation of Iron Fist.

The Iron Fist comic book source material has presented a unique set of challenges during its adaptation process, due in no small amount to the more fantastical elements inherent to Iron Fist as a property in general. These elements, in turn, have need to be tweaked and evolved accordingly, in order to make the Iron Fist TV show better jive with the comparatively grounded tone established by the previous individual The Defenders Marvel/Netflix series.

In the comics, Danny Rand earns the mantle of the Iron Fist after years of training in the mystical land of K'un-Lun. Rand's final test in acquiring his otherworldly power was to defeat an immortal dragon known as Shou-Lao. In order to gain the creature's power, Rand plunged his fist into the dragon's heart and emerged as the Iron Fist. In a recent interview with Yahoo UK, Iron Fist himself, actor Finn Jones explained why we shouldn't be expecting to see Shou-Lao in the first season of Iron Fist:

“I’d love to have the budget for these shows to have a full-on Game of Thrones style dragon...But unfortunately you know, we have budget restraints. That’s the nature of the show.”

The actor went on to elaborate if and when there will be an allusion to the hero's comic origin story:

“We do allude to it in Iron Fist, in a very intelligent way...And definitely in The Defenders… but I think, you know, we’ve got to be realistic.”

Danny Rand is one of the most accomplished martial artists in the Marvel Comics Universe and possesses the ability to channel his Chi into a fiery fist, whose strike delivers insane amounts of destruction. It's unclear how high Rand's actually power level is in the Iron Fist TV show, but judging by the trailers for the series, it's significant.

It's also possible that the series' "budget constraints" will generally force the Iron Fist showrunners to find ways around showing Danny frequently using his mystical powers, in order to solve his problems. Early reviews for Iron Fist have been pretty underwhelming, raising questions about the various decisions that were made in adapting Rand's origin story for live-action (including, the choice to not include Danny Rand's classic costume during the first season, too).

Iron Fist's origin story could also be ripe for contextual humor, as he inevitably will have to explain that he gained his magical powers from fighting a dragon, to his fellow Defenders and straight-shooters such as Colleen Wing (Jessica Henwick) and Luke Cage (Mike Colter). The first season of the final Defender, Iron Fist, is only a few days away, so get ready to punch the buttons on your remote for the next Marvel adventure.

NEXT: What We Want to See in Iron Fist Season 1

Daredevil seasons 1 and 2, Jessica Jones season 1, and Luke Cage season 1 are now available on Netflix. Iron Fist season 1 premieres on March 17. The Defenders arrive sometime in the summer, with The Punisher coming later this year. Premiere dates for the newest seasons of Jessica Jones, Daredevil, and Luke Cage have not yet been revealed.

Source: Yahoo UK