Why The MCU Needs Jessica Jones

Warning: the following contains discussion of sexual assault, and spoilers for Hawkeye.

Jessica Jones’ return in Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe can hasten the MCU’s evolution towards new and progressive narratives for its classic superheroes. Although Jessica Jones’ intensely dark world may seem off-brand for the MCU’s colorful multiverse, MCU Phase 4 series like Hawkeye, WandaVision, and Loki have already prepared fans for the gritty realities faced by a disillusioned former superhero who suffers from trauma and alcoholism. The MCU has been moving towards compelling tales that are more grounded in reality. And it doesn’t get any more real than Jessica Jones.

Created by comic book artist Michael Gaydos and renowned Eisner award-winning writer Brian Michael Bendis, Jessica Jones was part of Marvel’s thrust to start releasing more mature content in 2001. In 2015, Netflix released a series based on the character, with Breaking Bad alum Krysten Ritter taking on the role of the former-superhero-turned-detective. Alongside Daredevil, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist, Jessica Jones was part of Netflix’s The Defenders, a team of Marvel heroes who haven’t yet appeared in any official MCU films or series. This could all change very soon. Considering the recent return of Vincent D’onofrio’s Kingpin to the MCU, Hawkeye could also enable Jessica Jones’ MCU debut.

MCU Phase 4, through Jessica Jones, could continue evolving beyond relying mostly on CGI-heavy climaxes and other common superhero movie tropes – problems that have plagued the MCU’s various franchises for years. While Jessica Jones may have been unsuitable for MCU Phases 1, 2, and 3, this isn’t the case in Phase 4, in which Jessica’s dark world would be right at home alongside other darker MCU titles such as Moon Knight. Apart from struggling with alcoholism, Jessica’s experiences as a former superhero has left her wholly disillusioned about the state of the world. Because of her problems, Jessica also finds it difficult to control her powers at times, which has led to her accidentally killing people. As Jessica makes her living by running Alias Investigations alone, her lonely existence could set up highly compelling and well-grounded neo-noir storylines within the Marvel Cinematic Universe – while also working to flesh out the world yet further.

Moreover, Jessica’s MCU debut could also spell the return of David Tenant’s Kilgrave. As a mind-controlling rapist, Kilgrave is an even more sinister villain than the likes of Kingpin and Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. The MCU doesn’t even need to somehow resurrect Kilgrave in order to bring him back, as Kilgrave never really died within Jessica’s mind. By including Jessica Jones and Kilgrave, the MCU could start representing those with invisible disabilities such as deep trauma, high functioning alcoholism, and the interrelated complications between the two. This could be a great follow-up to how Hawkeye has already started representing people with different disabilities. Apart from solving the glaring lack of a street-level female hero with super strength and durability in the MCU, Jessica Jones can advance disability representation in MCU Phase 4.

Phase 4 of the MCU needs to pull out Jessica Jones from the limbo of Marvel’s concluded Netflix shows. Considering how Jessica Jones season 3 ended, Jessica might even return alongside Luke Cage, who may or may not be running Alias Investigations with Jessica. However Marvel chooses to bring Jessica Jones back into the fold, it’s bound to open new and interesting opportunities for the future of the MCU.

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