Everything You Need to Know About Daredevil: Born Again
Daredevil: Born Again is perhaps one of Marvel Studios’ most anticipated shows following the cancellation of Netflix’s Daredevil series back in 2019.
Fans called for the Daredevil show to be brought back for years until Marvel Studios (now housed under Marvel Television) announced the show was returning at San Diego Comic Con in 2022. As we approach D23 Ultimate Fan Expo, let’s run through everything we know about the show.
Release Date
During the initial announcement, Kevin Feige revealed that the show would have 18 episodes in its first season. Following the creative overhaul that brought in new directors to work on the show, Daredevil: Born Again's episode count has been reduced to 9. It has been reported that the first season has been split into two separate parts with the first 9 episodes release next spring and the final 9 episodes releases in a future season. Additionally, DanielRPK has reported that the show is expected to resume filming in the Fall of 2024 until mid 2025 setting up a 2026 release.
Who Is In Daredevil: Born Again?
Much of the cast from the original series have been announced to return to Born Again making way for storylines from the original series to be explored.
Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock / Daredevil: A blind lawyer who happens to be the masked vigilante known as Daredevil.
Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk / Kingpin: A powerful crime lord and business man who has taken an interest in running for Mayor of New York City.
Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page: Matt’s former love interest and partner at Nelson, Murdock & Page law firm.
Elden Henson as Foggy Nelson: Matt’s best friend and partner at Nelson, Murdock & Page law firm.
Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle / The Punisher: A lethal vigilante who deals with crime using whatever means necessary.
Ayelet Zuer as Vanessa Marianna-Fisk: Wilson Fisk’s wife.
Wilson Bethel as Benjamin ‘Dex’ Pointdexter / Bullseye: A former FBI Special Agent who has a talent for being able to use any object to hit any target.
Genneya Wilson as BB Urich: A young journalist that many have speculated is related to Ben Urich from the original series.
Margarita Levieva as Heather Glenn: Matt’s newest love interest.
Hunter Doohan: Muse, who is going to be an antagonist in the series.
Michael Gandolfini: Daniel Blade.
We have also listed some minor additions to the cast, however, we are not exactly sure whether these actors' roles have been changed due to the creative overhaul. The rumor was that the pilot was getting re-shoots and this could have caused the removal of some actors. Here are the new additions to the cast:
Susan Varon - returns as Josie, the owner of Josie's Bar
Marc Geller - known for Severance. Plays Karlis Irbe in Daredevil: Born Again. Geller has been seen in a behind-the-scenes picture with Vincent D'Onofrio
Ruibo Qian, known for her role as Zheng Yi Sao in Our Flag Means Death
Elijah Caldwell - Recurring character
What is Daredevil: Born Again About?
Daredevil: Born Again not only hints at the revival of the canceled Netflix show but it also hints at the 1986 story arc of the same name which deals with Matt Murdock / Daredevil being outed by Karen Page to Kingpin resulting him attacks happening to Matt on a personal and career level. This story arc has been noted as being one of the most defining arcs for the character and we may even see some of this comic story be depicted in the upcoming Disney+ show.
What we do know (as shown in the post credit scene for Echo as well as set photos from Born Again filming) is that Wilson Fisk will run for Mayor of NYC and this will set up an interesting conflict between Fisk and Daredevil. How will our masked vigilante hero be able to take down his biggest opponent who happens to be running for a major political position?
Marvel Head of Streaming and Animation, Brad Winderbaum, has given a little bit of insight on the approach Marvel Television is taking with the show and what fans can expect:
“Daredevil is incredible. It’s similar in some ways to X-Men ’97, because it’s reviving something that the fans love, but it is taking it in a new direction. These characters have matured. The universe is different than it was. Things have changed. Society’s changed.”
— Brad Winderbaum on Daredevil: Born Again via Marvel Official Podcast
Daredevil: Born Again Teaser Trailer Breakdown
The first teaser trailer was revealed at D23: The Ultimate Fan Event on Friday, August 9. The trailer confirms that Disney is keeping their promise to keep Daredevil: Born Again as gritty and bloody as its Netflix predecessor, while revealing some new additions to this lore, with new and familiar faces.
First, we see Matt Murdock being "a really good lawyer,” talking to his client Hector Ayala (played by the late actor Kamar de los Reyes), at a prison. Hector has more in common with Matt than the average viewer might expect, like Matt, he fights for justice outside the law as the masked vigilante known as The White Tiger.
Hector tells Matt, "Somebody has to protect these streets, people are going missing, and no one seems to care. The mask is more than just putting on a suit, it's a calling. I don't think you understand, people need a hero". After such a passionate speech Murdock responds with a cheeky "hm". During Kamar's monologue glimpses of a crime scene at a subway station, his character donning his iconic White Tiger garb and pendant, Matt being held at gunpoint in a robbery, and flashes of Art foreshadowing the unhinged villain known as Muse are shown.
Then Matt has a different conversation at a diner saying, "New York's been what it's always been, blood for blood. The entire system's against you, it's often David versus Goliath." The montage continues and then cuts to him in a heated confrontation at a boxing gym with Frank Castle, who looks grizzlier than usual.
Matt resumes the conversation saying that this city can't go unchecked, and Wilson Fisk is revealed to be on the other end replying, "Sometimes peace needs to be broken, chaos must reign". Matt's final words to Fisk: "It seems like we really do understand each other. So if you step out of line, I am going to be there." Fisk questions, "This caution that you're giving me, who's it from? Matt Murdock, or... Your darker half?"
before having a sinister belly laugh.
During that dialogue, the montage revealed everyone's favorite "avocado" Foggy and Karen Page, Benjamin Poindexter (Wilson Bethel) in jail, Matt getting steamy with his latest girlfriend in the shower, Ayelet Zurer's return as Vanessa, and the reveal of the creepy Muse himself. Forgive me for forgetting to mention that multiple Daredevil cowls are on display in his locker so don't be surprised if you see Daredevil in different suits.
The final shots feature parallel action sequences of both personas, Daredevil and Matt Murdock which were equally ballistic and fast-paced. I do not know why Kamala Khan's father is here but he's here nevertheless asking Matt, "What kind of lawyer are you?". If you've seen Spider-Man: No Way Home you know what Matt's response is.
Daredevil: Born Again will premiere in March 2025 on Disney Plus. Season 2 for the show has already been greenlit.
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