Netflix's 'Iron Fist' Casts 'LOTR' Actor David Wenham as Harold Meachum

Production for the fourth and final Netflix prep-up for Iron Fist, is moving forward, and after casting Finn Jones as the title character and Jessica Henwick as Colleen Wing, it's time to cast the villains -- and Harold Meachum is the first up! David Wenham, best known for his role as Faramir in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, has joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe!

Marvel announced the news through a press release as Wenham becomes the third actor cast in the upcoming superhero series. Like his comic book counterpart, Meachum is being described as a "ruthless corporate leader" who was the business partner of Danny Rand's parents when they died.

The specifics of his relationship with Danny will be told throughout the series, perhaps with a mix of flashbacks and current events. Think of Stick (Scott Glenn) in the first season of Daredevil.

Still, the casting announcement came with a clue attached to it: a newspaper headline reading "Harold Meachum gravely ill," so could he be introduced as a dying man in the upcoming series?

Wenham is no stranger to comic book adaptations or even big franchises. Aside from his work in Peter Jackson's original LotR trilogy, he also played Dilios in Zack Snyder's 300 and its 2014 prequel. This year alone, he'll join another major Disney franchise: he's set to play Scarfield on Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.

Wenham joins a few big names already part of Netflix's section of the MCU. So far, many of the villains have been played by impressive actors, including how Wilson Fisk was played by Vincent D'Onofrio and Purple Man Kilgrave by Doctor Who and Harry Potter alum David Tennant.

"In Marvel's Iron Fist, Daniel Rand returns to New York City after being missing for years," reads the upcoming series' synopsis, via Deadline. "He fights against the criminal element corrupting New York City with his incredible kung-fu mastery and ability to summon the awesome power of the fiery Iron Fist."

Iron Fist will begin shooting shortly, presumably for a 2017 release date. So far, Netflix-Marvel series have been released within about 6 months of each other, so since Luke Cage will premiere on September 30, we might expect this one in late March.