The journey of ‘Daredevil’ from Netflix cancellation to Disney+ revival has been a rollercoaster for fans and the creative team alike. Charlie Cox, the man behind Matt Murdock, recently revealed just how close a fourth season on Netflix was to becoming a reality.
This revelation adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ series, which has undergone its own creative evolution. Additionally, with the promise of the show being even darker than its predecessor, fans are in for a treat.
Charlie Cox On Daredevil’s Journey From Netflix To Disney+
For those who remember the pre-Disney+ landscape, Marvel Television operated separately from Marvel Studios. This resulted in a mixed bag of shows, some of which garnered a dedicated following. ‘Daredevil’, with its gritty realism, quickly became a fan favorite.
Related: Charlie Cox Reveals How Marvel Considered “Reinventing” Matt Murdock For ‘Daredevil: Born Again’
Moreover, the show’s mature tone and visceral fight choreography set it apart from other superhero fare. As Charlie Cox explained to Entertainment Weekly, the team was not only confident in the show’s future after the well-received third season, but they were already deep into planning season four.
“Season 3 had been well received and they had already gone to work on season 4,” Cox shared. “My understanding was they were really heavy into breaking that season in the writers’ room and then just overnight it went away.” This sudden cancellation was a consequence of Disney’s launch of its own streaming service.
This left a void for many fans. Cox himself admitted, “I never thought it would be a TV show again. I just assumed that we’d done that, so maybe it would be something else.” This sentiment echoes the feeling of finality that many viewers experienced.
‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Is A Revival, Not A Reboot
Despite the setbacks, Daredevil’s story didn’t end there. Marvel Studios now, with ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ are bringing the iconic Matt Murdock back into the fold. First, it was with cameos in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ and ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’ and now it’s his own show.
In case you missed it: Vincent D’Onofrio’s Claims ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Will Push All The Limits Of Violence
Initially conceived as a legal procedural, the series has undergone a significant transformation. This shift was crucial, as it aims to recapture the essence of the Netflix series while simultaneously forging a new path. Additionally, Cox emphasized the importance of maintaining the show’s core identity.
“The thing that we kept talking about was, this show has had the success that it’s had and has appealed to a very specific demographic because it’s one of the few superhero shows that is so dark and sinister at times. Vincent and I both felt like if you lose that, you are at risk of losing the identity of our show,” he stated.
This commitment to the show’s darker, more mature tone is reassuring for fans who feared a dilution of the source material. The creators are clearly aware of what made the Netflix series so compelling. Moreover, both Vincent D’Onforio and Cox suggest that ‘Born Again’ might be even darker than its predecessor.
