Among all of the Netflix MCU tie-in shows that aired on the streaming platform before the launch of Disney+, Luke Cage (both the title character and his preceding series) was highlighted among the most memorable and praised aspects of the Marvel/Netflix experiment. His show certainly was considered among one of the better MCU/Netflix shows, hence why fans have campaigned heavily for the character to be reintroduced into the franchise's movies following the show's cancelation.
Current rumors suggest that the feelings might be mutual in regards to having Luke Cage return to the MCU in a big way, but until those rumors get confirmed, now is a fun time to speculate and suggest ways that one of Marvel's strongest super soldiers could leap his way to the big screen.
10 Join The Avengers
With Tony Stark and Steve Rogers dead—as well as members departing—the next incarnation of The Avengers is going to look vastly different.
To highlight to audiences they are about to embark on an entirely new chapter in the team's history, it would be a good idea to introduce new characters to the big screen. Characters from the Netflix version of the MCU—or at the very least Luke Cage—was always featured as a key member of the New Avengers, so it wouldn't be odd to introduce him as a member.
9 Lead The Avengers
This would be a much bolder, unlikely option compared to letting him join the team. Unlikely not only because Luke Cage is such a new character, but in-story, it's hard to imagine the team agreeing to let a completely new member jump to the front of the leader board ahead of seasoned characters with more experience.
However, The Avengers is in desperate need of a leader with both Tony Stark and Steve Rogers out of commission now. In the comics, Cage actually does become the New Avengers leader following the assassination of Rogers post-Civil War, so it wouldn't be too far-fetched to see that adapted for the movies.
8 Form The Thunderbolts
If introducing Luke Cage into Marvel's more "cinematic" Cinematic Universe by appointing him the leader of The Avengers sounds like a stretch, then at the very least, the MCU can have him take center stage by having him create his own team: The Thunderbolts.
In the comics, The Thunderbolts Program is one initiated by Steve Rogers following the Siege on Asgard. He appoints Luke Cage to lead a team of reformed supervillains, which include Ghost and Crossbones (both characters previously introduced in the MCU) and fan-favorite baddie Juggernaut.
7 Bring The Heroes For Hire To The Big Screen
While Iron Fist has long been considered a flop both as the weakest Netflix series and for its poor reviews worldwide, one of the few highlights of that series was that it gave us a couple of crossovers with Luke Cage (including the Defenders mega-event) that showcased stupendous chemistry between Finn Jones and Mike Colter.
While some critics may object to the Iron Fist name returning anywhere near the MCU, few would object to a return if it meant partnering him with his Hero for Hire again, perhaps to kickstart their own buddy action-comedy franchise?
6 Expanding The Defenders
Following the Netflix mega-event of the same name, casual mainstream viewers now closely associate The Defenders with Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones, and Daredevil. While they do fill roles in the comics team, they are far from the only members.
Other notable members in the comics include the Hulk and Doctor Strange, both already in the MCU with their own established connection. At the same time, the latter has an upcoming movie sequel coming to cinemas worldwide soon. So if the OG Netflix crew is too much of a risk to have reunited in a big-screen movie, cast them alongside big-screen names already established in the MCU.
5 Team-Up Or Fight With The Hulk
Speaking of the Hulk, one surprising thing about Luke Cage is that over the course of the series, despite taking place in Harlem, New York, little to no mention is ever made of the destruction that the Hulk and Abomination made in The Incredible Hulk when they "broke Harlem," as Bruce Banner put it in The Avengers.
Nonetheless, given that connection, if Marvel ever decided to finally create a new Hulk sequel, then why not pair him with Harlem's Finest, Luke Cage? Knowing Hulk broke his humble city years prior could make a team-up awkward or be the perfect grounds for a knock-down, drag-out fight.
4 Befriend The Fantastic Four
Now that Marvel has retained the movie rights to the characters again, there are plans to one day introduce the Fantastic Four into the MCU one day, sooner rather than later. In the comics, Luke Cage and Marvel's first superhero family have something of an oddball relationship.
Their relationship begins when Doctor Doom reneges on a debt that he owes to Cage, so the latter teams up with the Fantastic Four to take Doom down. While the sillier plot could stay in the comics, this pairing could form the basis for Cage to be added to the supporting cast - or at least receive a small cameo - into a future movie introducing the foursome.
3 Joining The She-Hulk Cast
If there is one thing that was accurately adapted from the comics about Luke Cage, it is the fact that he is portrayed as something of a ladies' man. Over the course of his tenure on Netflix, he was romantically linked briefly to Misty Knight, Jessica Jones, and Claire Temple, all women he also courts in the comics.
In the comics, he also manages to briefly date She-Hulk while they both served as members of the Heroes for Hire. Rather than reintroduce Cage in a new movie, Marvel could bring him back in their upcoming Disney+ series.
2 Cameo In Spider-Man: No Way Home As Spidey's Bodyguard
Strong recent rumors suggest that Charlie Cox will be reprising his role as Matt Murdock/Daredevil in the MCU's third Spider-Man movie, potentially as Peter Parker's lawyer now that his secret identity has been revealed to the world.
While Cage has crossed paths plenty of times in the comics with both Daredevil and Spider-Man, there is a point in the comics where both Jessica Jones and Luke Cage serve as bodyguards Murdock. Cage also briefly played a bodyguard role during his show's second season. If anyone's in need of a bodyguard, it's the kid who was revealed to the world as Spider-Man.
1 Joining The Cast Of Black Panther 2
While the decision has been (rightfully) made not to recast T'Challa following the death of Golden Globe winner Chadwick Boseman, it has nonetheless been confirmed that a sequel to Black Panther will hit theaters in the near future.
While it remains to be seen what a Black Panther movie could look like without Black Panther, it would be appropriate to see Mike Colter's Luke Cage join the cast, seeing as in the comics, the Cage character admittedly idolizes the Black Panther as a personal hero of his. Re-introducing Cage to the MCU like this would be another facet to pay respects to both the T'Challa character and the version which the late Boseman portrayed.