The Marvel Cinematic Universe has always been about heroes coming together to fight against the greater enemy. Now, with the revival of ‘Daredevil: Born Again’, the MCU has a golden opportunity to not only bring back Matt Murdock but also to reintroduce the other beloved Defenders: Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist.
These characters were integral to the Netflix Marvel shows that paved the way for these street-level stories. So, now, more than ever, they need to be integrated into the larger MCU narrative.
‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Showcases The Rise Of New York’s Vigilantes
The opening of ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ already sets the tone for what’s to come. It showcased a world where masked vigilantes are actively being hunted and vilified. This change in the city’s pulse is largely driven by Wilson Fisk who is now the mayor. His campaign is based on restoring order by eliminating the vigilantes who operate outside the law.
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This includes people like Daredevil, Spider-Man, and even the Punisher, whose actions cause destruction in the city. Yet, Fisk’s rhetoric isn’t just about cleaning up Hell’s Kitchen. He wants to rid New York of all these heroes who refuse to play by his rules. The Daredevil reboot is all about what this means for the rest of New York’s street-level defenders.
As the show progresses, it’s inevitable that we’ll see characters like Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Colleen Wing once again take center stage. In the Netflix series, these characters played a huge role. Now, with the anti-vigilante movement on the rise, there’s no way these characters can remain hidden in the shadows forever.
MCU Has The Perfect Opportunity To Reintroduce The Defenders
Marvel’s strategy of blending heroes from different realms, as seen with the integration of characters from Disney+ series like ‘WandaVision’ and ‘Loki’ into the broader Avengers storyline, has set a precedent for how future characters can be seamlessly woven into the fabric of the MCU. With ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ kicking things off with Matt Murdock, there is no reason why the other Defenders shouldn’t also make their return.
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The show has already laid the groundwork for future arcs that highlight the city’s ever-growing population of vigilantes. Fisk’s disdain for masked heroes has opened the door for a larger narrative: the anti-vigilante sentiment growing in New York, a city that has long been home to heroes like Daredevil and the Punisher, is not going to be limited to just these two. So, if Fisk is truly going after all vigilantes, the other Defenders are going to have to answer for their actions.
Let’s not forget that these characters are all unique in their own right. Jessica Jones, for instance, isn’t one to shy away from using her powers to solve problems, but she doesn’t fit the traditional “heroic” mold. Additionally, Kristen Ritter has often spoken up about wanting to return to the MCU. With the new reboot bringing back beloved characters including Jon Bernthal’s Punisher the door is wide open.
The MCU has the perfect opportunity to bring the character back into the spotlight. Moreover, the series that Netflix created for each of them was rich with storytelling potential. Whether they choose to retire or go underground, the show can’t avoid confronting where these heroes have gone in the wake of their conclusions.
