Mahershala Ali On The Importance Of Netflix's LUKE CAGE Series

Mahershala Ali, who will play the villainous Cornell Stokes aka Cottonmouth in Marvel and Netflix's Luke Cage collaboration discusses the cultural importance of the diverse comic book adaptation.

By MarkJulian - Jun 24, 2016 07:06 AM EST

Filed Under: Luke Cage

Chances are you've seen the face but didn't know the name. In the last few years, Mahershala Ali has appeared on Treme, House of Cards, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay and this weekend's new release, Free State of Jones. While promoting that film with USA Today, Ali briefly touched on the next Marvel and Netflix live-action collaboration, Luke Cage, where he plays Cornell Stokes aka Cottonmouth, a character he describes as a "Godfather-Mafioso type" villain. Ali particularly focused on the importance of the new show's diverse cast and Luke Cage (Mike Colter) as an African-American superhero. "There are going to be so many kids out there who get to see a black man on that screen and aspire to be like him. We didn’t have that. They get to be included. When I grew up, it was a lie to us that you could be anything you wanted to be. Because we knew we couldn’t be president. What this generation has is President Obama — he’s a superhero for us. And I think that might be hard for people to really embrace and understand."

Luke Cage will start streaming its entire season on Netflix at Midnight on September 30, 2016.

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147 Comments

1 2 3 4

KillEmAll - 6/24/2016, 7:52 AM

I will always know him as Richard Tyler.

MonsterSquad35 - 6/24/2016, 7:56 AM

I think this show will deliver. As good as Daredevil? That's a lot to ask for. I do think it will be better than Jessica Jones. I tell you what, The Punisher will OWN as a series. That will be a gritty ass show that I definitely will binge.

AT3374 - 6/24/2016, 8:01 AM

Yeah more Luke Cage , less JJ

lukehero - 6/24/2016, 8:01 AM

GIVE US A TRAILER!!!!!!!!!

pepe - 6/24/2016, 8:02 AM

Great in the 4400 ....

1 2 3 4

Mahershala Ali On The Importance Of Netflix's LUKE CAGE Series

Mahershala Ali, who will play the villainous Cornell Stokes aka Cottonmouth in Marvel and Netflix's Luke Cage collaboration discusses the cultural importance of the diverse comic book adaptation.

LUKE CAGE Star Mike Colter Appears To Have Changed His Mind About A Possible Marvel Return

LUKE CAGE Star Mike Colter Is Open To Playing Power Man Again But Admits "I'm Past It"

LUKE CAGE Star Mike Colter Appears To Have Changed His Mind About A Possible Marvel Return

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