IRON FIST Casts Jessica Stroup as Joy Meachum

Meachums...Meachums EVERYWHERE...

Variety revealed yesterday that the upcoming Netflix series Iron Fist, based on the classic Marvel Comics martial arts superhero, has cast Jessica Stroup in the role of Joy Meachum, while Tom Pelphrey will play her on-screen brother, Ward Meachum.  

The article describes the character as "The children of Harold Meachum (David Wenham), Joy and Ward have spent their lives building Rand Enterprises to its current standing in the world, only to have all their work put in jeopardy when Danny returns to claim his birthright. They are childhood acquaintances of Danny Rand’s who now play an important role in Rand Enterprises."

Stroup, 29, is best known as Erin Silver on 90210 and Max Hardy on The Following.  She has a a considerable horror movie background, including the films Prom Night, Vampire Bats, Left in Darkness, and The Hills Have Eyes 2.  She also appeared as Tracy in the movie Ted, and has appeared on episodes of True Blood, Reaper, Grey's Anatomy, and Zoey 101.

Created in 1974 by Doug Moench and Larry Hama, Joy Meachum first appeared in Marvel Premiere #18 as the daughter of Harold Meachum, the man responsible for the deaths of Iron Fist's parents.  She was a brilliant businesswoman and was groomed to eventually take over Rand Meachum, Inc. from her father.  After her father had been murdered by the Ninja, she found Iron Fist next to his corpse, naturally blaming him for her father's death.

Partnering with her uncle Ward Meachum, she tried for years to avenge her father and kill Iron Fist.  They teamed up with Davos the Steel Serpent, who would work for them as long as he could get revenge on Iron Fist.  Asked by Joy to investigate her uncle Ward, Davos complied as he agreed to work for them until he killed Danny Rand.  During a meeting with Joy, Daniel Rand and Rand's lawyer to discuss the return of his father's shares of the Meachum company, they were attacked by local crime boss Chaka Kahn.  When Rand changed into his identity of Iron Fist, she was brought to safety by Steel Serpent, who defied her orders to attack Iron Fist.  Davos confronted Ward threatening him to quit and disappear and leave the running of the company to Joy.  He told her that his debt was paid in full and it was now time for his revenge.

Boss Morgan and his goons took Joy hostage, as Rand Meachum, Inc. was apparently cutting into his turf.  Iron Fist saved an ungrateful Joy from Morgan and his goons, and afterward, Joy offered Morgan millions of dollars to shoot Iron Fist.  Morgan, not wanting to be around when the ambulances arrive left Joy to deal with her own revenge.  Iron Fist, maintaining his innocence in the murder of Joy's father, told her to go ahead and kill him. Joy couldn't and the two decided to end their rivalry.  Later on, Danny relinquished control of his shares of Rand Meachum to her, until a time when he believed he's earned the wealth from the company.

Iron Fist is expected to debut on Netflix sometime in 2017.