Well so much for all the actors who have wanted this role. Its pretty much confirmed now that Angel's J. August Richards is going to be Luke Cage. He has signed on to Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. On ABC in a secret role that has been under wraps from the media. Now obviously he is not Nick Fury, because Sammy L has that role locked down. So who else would he play? The new teaser trailer for the TV series has been released showing a hooded black man in yellow and black (Power Man's colors), falling from a building carrying a woman in his arms. This couldnt be anybody, but Power Man Luke Cage. Plus Richards is later clearly slamming someone into the ground, clearly showing his super strength. Looks lime we got a winner.
I know people are gonna be mad that they didn't cast a bigger actor for this role, since so many higher profile people have eyed that part. But I'm not surprised. I personally wished they had cast Terry Crews, or someone who really looks the part, but Joss Whedon likes to reuse a lot of his old cast members, so this was probably the first black dude he knew to call. I woulda prefered an R rated full origin movie for him, but im sure Disney wont go there. Casting aside, him debuting on the tv show, instead of the Avengers gives him more exposure, and more of an origin story, that wouldnt been able to be shown in the Avengers. Check out the trailer, and screen caps below.