Daredevil’s return: A journey from doubt to triumph
The unexpected call
In a surprising twist of fate, Charlie Cox revealed that his journey back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Daredevil began with a phone call from Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige in 2020. This call came years after the original Netflix series was canceled, leaving fans and Cox himself in a state of uncertainty about the character’s future.
“We stopped shooting the original show at the end of 2016, beginning of 2018, and found out it was canceled somewhere in that period,” Cox shared. The original series, which ran for three seasons from 2015 to 2018, had left a significant mark on the superhero genre.
A period of silence
Despite the initial excitement, Marvel Studios went silent after the call, leading Cox to believe that a Daredevil reboot was unlikely. During this period, he stayed in touch with Vincent D’Onofrio, who played the formidable Kingpin. D’Onofrio remained optimistic, often telling Cox that their return was imminent.
“I’d moved on and occasionally Vincent and I would chat, and he would say things like, ‘Oh, they’re going to call. I think they’re going to call us, but they’re going to call us,’” Cox recalled. “And I would get off the phone and be like, ‘The guy’s delusional! He’s got to let it go. It’s going to be 10 years and he’s still going. It’s over. It’s definitely over.’”
The second call
Two years later, Cox received a second call that confirmed the plan to bring Daredevil into the MCU with a new series titled Daredevil: Born Again. The first footage from the series recently debuted at Disney’s D23 convention, reigniting excitement among fans.
Joining Cox in this new venture are returning cast members Jon Bernthal as the Punisher, Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page, Elden Henson as Foggy Nelson, and Wilson Bethel as Poindexter. Newcomers to the cast include Michael Gandolfini, Margarita Levieva, Jeremy Earl, and Ayelet Zurer.
A rocky road to production
The journey to bring Daredevil: Born Again to the screen has not been without its challenges. Last year, filming was halted due to the WGA Strike, with less than half of the episodes completed. This led Marvel to overhaul the project, retaining only some of the footage and parting ways with head writers Chris Ord and Matt Corman. Dario Scardapane, known for his work on Netflix’s The Punisher, stepped in as the new showrunner.
Looking ahead
Daredevil: Born Again is set to premiere in March 2025 on Disney+, with a second season already in development. This long-awaited return promises to bring fresh narratives and deeper character explorations, much to the delight of fans who have been eagerly anticipating Daredevil’s comeback.
For those who want to catch a glimpse of what’s to come, check out the Daredevil: Born Again trailer.
Personal reflections
As a long-time fan of the Daredevil series, the news of its revival is both thrilling and nostalgic. The original series set a high bar with its gritty storytelling and complex characters. The return of familiar faces like Jon Bernthal and Deborah Ann Woll adds a layer of continuity that fans will appreciate.
The involvement of Dario Scardapane as the new showrunner is particularly exciting. His work on The Punisher showcased his ability to handle dark, intense narratives, which bodes well for the new direction of Daredevil: Born Again.
Final thoughts
The journey of Daredevil from Netflix to the MCU is a testament to the character’s enduring appeal and the dedication of its cast and crew. As we await the premiere of Daredevil: Born Again, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation and hope that this new series will honor the legacy of its predecessor while carving out its own unique path in the Marvel universe.
For more updates and trailers, keep an eye on the Daredevil: Born Again information page.