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PEOPLE & ARTS Friday 22 June 2018

Mike Colter brings the pain as the indestructible Luke Cage

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr. villain Shades, said he likens
Associated Press Colter's real-life persona to
ATLANTA (AP) — "Black Cage.
Panther" broke box office "If you've ever been around
records, but "Luke Cage" Mike, talked or hung out
once crashed Netflix. with Mike, he is Luke Cage,"
The streaming service suf- Rossi said. "I mean, he's
fered a massive outage massive. But at the same
for more than two hours time, he's got a swagger
in 2016, one day after the and a personality that's so
premiere of "Luke Cage," incredible. He's so big and
a drama-action series star- could be intimidating, but
ring Mike Colter who plays he's not because he has
the show's superhero with this incredible presence
indestructible and bullet- about him."
proof skin. Not bad for Colter, who
Heading into its first sea- called himself a loner in
son in 2016, the show was high school. During his ca-
highly anticipated as the reer, he made guest TV
only television series with appearances on several
a black superhero as the shows including "ER" and
lead character at the time. "Law & Order," until he got
With season two of "Luke his big break to play a box-
Cage" premiering Friday on er in "Million Dollar Baby,"
Netflix, Colter hopes the se- which won an Oscar for
ries can keep the momen- This image released by Netflix shows Mike Colter in a scene from "Marvel's Luke Cage," premiering best film in 2005.
tum going. Especially after its second season on June 22. Colter's performance in
the success of other black- Associated Press "Luke Cage" has opened
leading superhero charac- doors for other acting op-
ters, like CW's "Black Light- The original character first with his life with all his limi- gles to find a good paying portunities. He's expected
ning" and the film "Black appeared in comic books tations financially. He's not job until he decides to cash to appear in the faith-
Panther," which had a in 1972. feeling sorry for himself or in on his abilities as a hero- based drama "The Impos-
record-setting $192 million "For people of color, it in- having a pity party. He's for-hire. sible" and co-star in "Skin,"
debut in U.S. and Canada spires them to believe they just trying to keep on, kee- Colter's fellow cast mem- a true story about a former
theaters and nearly $700 can be a superhero in their pin' on. That's what people bers called him a "perfect neo-Nazi.
million overall this year. own way, too," said the relate to." fit" for the Cage role. With "Luke Cage," Colter
"Luke Cage" received high 6-foot-3 Colter, who bulked Cage is an ex-convict "No matter how tired Luke hopes his show can con-
marks from most review- up 30 pounds for the role. wrongly imprisoned for a Cage is, he has to protect tinue to open doors and
ers for the show's politically "There's a certain portion of crime he didn't commit, Harlem. Mike leads our break down barriers for oth-
and socially conscious story the population that needs developing his superpow- show in the same way," said ers of color.
angles, strong writing and to see someone that rep- ers after a botched experi- Simone Missick, who repris- "'Luke Cage' delivered a
Colter's performance. The resents them," he added. mental procedure. After es the role of Misty Knight. jab, while 'Panther' and
deep-voiced actor said "Sometimes that's not just clearing his name, he be- "He fits the bill physically. 'Black Lightning' both de-
society — not only in the physically. It's a point of comes a Harlem celebrity He approaches his charac- livered jabs and upper-
African-American commu- view. I get a lot of fans for his heroic efforts to pro- ter with a vulnerability you cuts," he said. "We had
nity — was ready to see a who are white, Asian, Bra- tect the community. The don't often see in charac- to get their attention first.
black superhero as a lead zilian. They relate to the character has appeared ters like that. It's endearing I'm hoping there's more to
character. character because of their in other Marvel Cinematic to people. I think with Mike come, so we can stop talk-
Colter said he spoke with approach to the world. Ul- Universe shows, including being the leader of this ing about it and say that it's
many people across the timately, they feel like this Netflix's "Jessica Jones" and new school of superheros, just another superhero, in-
world telling him they re- guy is blue collared and he "The Defenders." he does an amazing job." stead of just being a black
lated to Cage's character. is striving to do something In season two, Cage strug- Theo Rossi, who plays the superhero."q

Paul McCartney ready to

release his 17th solo album

Associated Press paintings and it will be
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paul McCartney's first full album
McCartney is inviting fans since "NEW" in 2013.
on a musical journey as he McCartney posted the
prepares to release his 17th singles "I Don't Know" and
solo album. "Come On To Me."
The former Beatle, who In a statement, McCartney
turned 76 on Monday, says he thinks of the album
announced on social "as a dream location that
media on Wednesday the music emanates from."
that "Egypt Station" will be "Egypt Station" was In this July 26, 2017 file photo, Paul McCartney performs on the
One on One Tour at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in
released on Sept. 7. The recorded between Los Tinley Park, Ill.
title comes from the name Angeles, London and Associated Press
of one of McCartney's Sussex, England.q