Marvel Studios has hired xXx screenwriter Rich Wilkes to pen an adaptation of Iron Fist, Deadline reports, moving the fan-favorite martial artist that much closer to the big screen.

Created by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane, Iron Fist debuted in May 1974's Marvel Premiere #15 amid a wave of martial arts-inspired superheroes. The character leaped into the spotlight when he teamed with Luke Cage in December 1977's Power Man #48; with Issue 50, the title was changed to Power Man and Iron Fist, a name it carried until its cancellation in 1986.

Iron Fist, aka Danny Rand, rose to prominence again more recently in 2007 with the debut of The Immortal Iron Fist, the critically acclaimed series by Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction and David Aja. Although that title was canceled last year, Iron Fist has continued to appear in such series as New Avengers and Shadowland.

This is the second move toward the big screen for the character. In 2000, Marvel partnered with Artisan Entertainment to co-finance an Iron Fist film as a vehicle for Ray Park. However, losing a director and repeatedly shifting schedules, the project ultimately went nowhere.