Shou Lao Confirmed to Appear in Marvel’s Iron Fist

When the full-length Iron Fist trailer dropped a few weeks ago, we speculated that a certain frame may have hinted towards the inclusion of a mystical creature from Iron Fist lore in the live action series. Thanks to actor Finn Jones, we appear to now have confirmation that we’ll be seeing the K’un Lun dragon Shou Lao debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe come March 17.

In a recent interview with Empire, Jones, who portrays Danny Rand in the titular role, says the people in his life after he returns to New York from the mystical city of K’un Lun think he’s insane because he has met a dragon.

“Danny has to deal with society’s reaction,” Jones told Empire. “He comes back and says: ‘Hey, guess what? I’ve been in this place called K’un Lun for years, I’ve got this thing called the Iron Fist and I met a dragon!’ And everybody’s like, ‘What the **** are you talking about? You’re insane.’”

It seems as if it was a passing moment in the interview, but a moment that’s certainly an integral confirmation to keep the origin of Danny Rand and Iron Fist comic book accurate. In Iron Fist lore, Shou Lao is a dragon located in the ancient city of K’un Lun, and the primary source of power for the mystical city.
While not necessarily a villain in the comics, those who wish to take up the Iron Fist mantle must defeat Shou Lao to steal the power from the dragon’s heart. In the ever-popular Immortal Iron Fist run by Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, and David Aja, it’s revealed that Shou Lao has been defeated 66 times, meaning there have been 66 different people throughout time to have taken up serve as the Immortal Iron Fist, protector of K’un Lun.

Marvel’s Iron Fist debuts on Netflix on March 17.
Fifteen years after being presumed dead in a plane crash, Danny Rand (Finn Jones) mysteriously returns to New York City determined to reclaim his birthright and family company. However, when a long-destined enemy rises in New York, this living weapon is forced to choose between his family’s legacy and his duties as the Iron Fist.

Source: Comicbook.com