For many fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the idea of Wilson Fisk, aka Kingpin, going toe-to-toe with Spider-Man feels like a dream just waiting to happen. After all, it’s a match-up that’s played out countless times in comic books.
However, according to actor Vincent D’Onofrio, who portrays the iconic villain, there’s a frustrating barrier keeping this from becoming a reality. Surprisingly, it’s not a lack of interest from either fans or the actor himself.
Marvel Only Has Rights For Kingpin To Appear In TV Shows, Not Movies
In a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Vincent D’Onofrio revealed that due to “ownership and stuff,” his character is currently only allowed to appear in television series, not movies. However, he remains hopeful about future possibilities. Fans wanted the actor to appear on the big screen as he is one of Marvel’s most compelling villains.
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Now, it’s revealed that he is stuck on the sidelines of the cinematic action. D’Onofrio’s portrayal of Wilson Fisk first earned acclaim during Netflix’s original ‘Daredevil’ series. The show helped define a more grounded corner of Marvel storytelling. Moreover, his performance turned Kingpin into one of the most beloved villains in the Marvel world.
When Marvel Studios brought back both Charlie Cox (Daredevil) and D’Onofrio for ‘Daredevil: Born Again’, fans immediately began to speculate: Could this mean a crossover with the MCU’s Spider-Man, played by Tom Holland? It’s a fair question as Charlie Cox’s Daredevil already made a cameo appearance in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home.’
His cameo alone led many to believe Kingpin wouldn’t be far behind. The comics are filled with epic confrontations between the two characters, making Fisk an ideal “street-level” antagonist for Peter Parker’s next chapter. But D’Onofrio threw a wrench into those hopes during his interview. “Right now, I’m only usable for television series,” he explained.
“Different kinds of series, whatever it is, but not even a one-off Fisk movie or anything like that. It’s all caught up in rights and stuff. I don’t know when that would work out, or if it would ever work out at all.” It’s a disappointing update for fans who wanted to see Kingpin step into the MCU’s cinematic universe.
Despite Legal Issues, Vincent D’Onforio Is Ready To Go All In As Kingpin If Marvel Lets Him
Despite the legal obstacles, Vincent D’Onofrio made it clear that he’s fully committed to the character and ready to appear in any medium. Additionally, he is optimistic that Marvel Studios will find a way to make it work. “I’m an actor. I serve the story,” he said sincerely. “Whether it’s in a series or a film, I’m in.”
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And his passion isn’t just professional, it’s personal. D’Onofrio’s enthusiasm for the character is evident. He’s not just playing Kingpin; he believes in him as a critical part of the larger Marvel mythos. “We all want it,” he added, referring to the potential Kingpin/Spider-Man clash. “It would be amazing.”
Until that day comes, D’Onofrio remains focused on ‘Daredevil: Born Again’. Season 2 of the Disney+ series is set to premiere in August 2024 and will continue to expand Fisk’s story. The character is expected to remain a central force in New York’s criminal underworld. Given that the series is already dealing with Fisk’s crackdown on vigilantes, it feels like Peter Parker’s name is very close.
Still, despite the rights issue, fans want Marvel and Sony to sort it out. They want Fisk to step into the big screen preferably in the upcoming ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day.’ For now, nothing has been confirmed. Moreover, D’Onofrio’s comments suggest hope isn’t entirely lost.
