The Big Picture
The portrayal of Charlie Cox as Daredevil in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law did not meet fans' expectations, as he played a more light-hearted and humorous vigilante, departing from the gritty tone of Netflix's Daredevil series.
Cox's appearance in the MCU and his remarks to the press regarding the forthcoming Disney+ Daredevil series dashed fans' desires for a darker and more intense portrayal of the character, consequently diminishing their enthusiasm for the show.
Considering the triumph and profitability of Marvel Studios' approach of blending PG-13 action, adventure, and humor, it is improbable that they would undergo a complete transformation for Daredevil. Therefore, the updated depiction of the character will probably align with the lighthearted and comedic essence characteristic of the MCU.
Netflix revolutionized the Marvel universe by creating mature superhero narratives that felt realistic. Naturally, fans were excited when Charlie Cox reprised his role as Matt Murdock in Spider-Man: No Way Home, hoping to see the gritty version of the character from Netflix's Daredevil series. Unfortunately, expectations were dashed when Cox portrayed a lighthearted and jokey vigilante in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
This appearance by Cox in the Marvel Cinematic Universe also dampened anticipation for the upcoming Disney+ series Daredevil: Born Again, as fans no longer believed it would capture the darkness and violence of the previous solo series. Cox himself confirmed this, disappointing fans even further. However, in hindsight, it was unrealistic to expect Disney+ to deliver a dark and gritty Daredevil show.
Perhaps that's one of the reasons Marvel recently scrapped the series, and decided to start again from scratch.
Marvel Won't Throw Away Its Formula Just for Daredevil
Image courtesy of Netflix
Since its debut in 2008, the first Iron Man movie incorporated certain mature elements. However, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has evolved significantly since then. Marvel Studios has continually adjusted their films to meet audience expectations and established a winning formula that resonates well with viewers. This formula consists of a blend of action and adventure, typically rated PG-13, infused with a generous amount of humor to lighten the mood amidst perilous situations. Consequently, even the more serious characters like Thor (portrayed by Chris Hemsworth) and Bruce Banner (played by Mark Ruffalo) have joined the ranks of the quick-witted superheroes who pepper their fights with clever one-liners.
Phase 4 of the MCU demonstrated audience fatigue from the repetitive nature of Marvel productions. However, the tried-and-true MCU formula continues to yield immense success. Despite not achieving the same box office results as the "Infinity Saga," Marvel Studios productions continue to generate profits. Given the financial success, there is no reason to completely overhaul the formula, making any hopes for an ultraviolent and realistic version of Daredevil merely wishful thinking.
Nevertheless, this does not mean Daredevil: Born Again will betray the essence of the character. Fortunately, there are numerous examples of movies and TV shows that adhere to the MCU formula while still delivering emotionally impactful stories. Thor: Ragnarok, for instance, injected humor into the God of Thunder's character, yet it remains the strongest installment in the Thor franchise. The incorporation of jokes did not prevent fans from experiencing genuine moments of sadness. Additionally, Hawkeye showcased Marvel Studios' ability to handle street-level vigilantism in an exhilarating manner, albeit within the confines of the larger MCU. Phase 4 also demonstrated the presence of creativity within Marvel Studios' established boundaries, as evidenced by Werewolf by Night, a full-fledged horror movie that maintains the lighter tonality of the MCU.
A New Daredevil Who Fits the MCU Canon
: Marvel's decision to alter Daredevil's direction for Born Again may disappoint some fans. However, it is unrealistic to believe that Marvel Studios would abandon a formula they have been refining for more than ten years.
Image via Disney +
Netflix's Daredevil was released in 2015, marking the beginning of the Defenders universe on the streaming platform. However, due to the separate existence of Marvel Studios and Marvel Television, there were many inconsistencies between the Defenders universe and the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The Defenders universe came to an end in 2019 with the release of Season 3 of Jessica Jones. Around the same time, Disney was preparing to launch Disney+ as a direct competitor to Netflix, leading to the termination of their partnership. In addition, Disney decided to dissolve Marvel Television and entrust Marvel Studios with the task of unifying movies and TV shows under one cohesive storyline. Disney+ represented a fresh start for the MCU, with previous content being pushed aside in favor of a new creative direction.
Marvel Studios faced a challenging task of salvaging what worked under Marvel Television's watch while maintaining their own TV productions as the definitive canon. However, thanks to the Multiverse, they now have the means to bring back beloved actors and characters while preserving the canon. This is evident with the return of Cox's Daredevil and D'Onofrio's Kingpin. Although Marvel Studios is reintroducing characters from the past, they must be careful not to disrupt the established canon of the MCU. The closing of Marvel Television made it clear that future MCU content should remain cohesive, and previous productions were only loosely connected to the canon. Therefore, while Cox is reprising his role as Matt Murdock, Marvel Studios cannot directly continue Netflix's Daredevil series. Instead, they need to reimagine the character in a way that satisfies fans while maintaining its uniqueness within the MCU.
That is why Daredevil now sports a yellow suit and possesses exceptional agility that surpasses what we have witnessed in the Defenders universe. Daredevil: Born Again must reflect the character's appearance in No Way Home and She-Hulk to maintain coherence within the MCU, with these recent productions carrying more significance to the canon than Netflix's Defenders universe. The rationale behind this decision is that Marvel Studios requires a fresh incarnation of Daredevil in the MCU, meaning the character can never remain the same dark and gritty vigilante that fans adore.
While we may hold great affection for Netflix's portrayal of the street-level Marvel characters, they will never return in the exact same manner. Our only hope is that this new rendition of Daredevil - and ideally all the Defenders - honors the essence of the character while still adhering to the established formula of the MCU. Furthermore, we kindly request Marvel Studios to reintroduce practical effects and the outstanding fight choreography that characterized the earlier adaptations.
