With ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ marking the return of Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin to the MCU in a full-fledged series, fans are on their toes waiting for the series to arrive.
However, what many didn’t know was that the show nearly went in a very different direction before both lead actors pushed for a creative overhaul.
Vincent D’Onofrio And Charlie Cox Weren’t Satisfied With The Original Version Of ‘Daredevil: Born Again’
In a recent interview with SFX magazine, Vincent D’Onofrio revealed that he and Charlie Cox weren’t satisfied with the original version of the show. “We went really dark at times,” he explained. “With the first version of the show, Charlie and I were saying, ‘We’re not doing it right yet. We need to start again.’ We pushed for that. And we were lucky that these guys who run Marvel supported us.”
Related: “We Got Some Time”: Charlie Cox Wants To Play Daredevil For Another 18 Years
Moreover, ‘Daredevil’ was one of the most acclaimed Marvel series during its Netflix run. The show is praised for its complex storytelling, brutal fight choreography, and grounded performances. With ‘Daredevil: Born Again‘, Cox and D’Onofrio weren’t just looking to return, they wanted to make sure they did justice to what came before.
Additionally, one of the most intriguing elements of ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ is Wilson Fisk’s political ascension. In the comics, Fisk ran for mayor of New York City, manipulating the system to gain power while keeping his criminal empire intact. His reign was ultimately cut short in the Devil’s Reign storyline where Daredevil exposed his corruption.
However, according to D’Onofrio, the Disney+ series is taking a different approach. “Anything on our show is, nine out of 10 times, leading to something that’s even bigger and crazier,” he teased. “For Fisk, this journey is a path to more control.” That statement alone has fans excited.
‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Showrunner Confirms The Storyline Won’t Acknowledge Matt Murdock’s Relationship With She-Hulk
While fans were thrilled to see Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock pop up in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ and ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’, some were unsure about how those appearances would tie into ‘Daredevil: Born Again’. Additionally, Murdock’s brief romance with She-Hulk in the Disney+ comedy raised eyebrows among fans.
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Showrunner Dario Scardapane has now made it clear that ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ will take a selective approach when it comes to acknowledging previous MCU events. “Marvel has a master plan, and what you’re doing causes ripple effects,” he told SFX Magazine. “I have plenty of leeway up until I hit the larger-scale plan for the MCU. So I try to ignore some stuff from the wider universe.”
He hinted that Murdock’s fling with She-Hulk might be among the things the show won’t lean into. Instead, it will focus on Daredevil’s personal struggles and his fight to reclaim his place in New York. “They’ve moved Matt through other corners of the MCU, and now he’s back in his own story,” Scardapane added.
