According to Wired, Netflix relies on a viewership over cost model when deciding what shows to keep or cancel. Essentially, Netflix executives look at the numbers that matter, even if it means putting profit ahead of dedicated fan bases. Back in 2018, one of the many cancellations by Netflix was the much beloved series Daredevil starring Charlie Cox. The series on Netflix seemingly signaled that the stars had aligned for the fan-favorite comic book character to be re-introduced into the MCU — until it was canceled to fans’, and Cox’s, dismay. Daredevil season 3 left off with Matt Murdock persuading Wilson Fisk to go to jail in his wife Vanessa’s place. Many fans felt the show ended with connections to X-Men, according to Newsweek, another franchise that is highly anticipated to make its way to the MCU.
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After a three-year hiatus, Cox reprised his role as Matt Murdock in Spider-Man: No Way Home, and fans were beside themselves with excitement across social media at the potential for an MCU reboot or upcoming film, especially after petitioning for so long for Cox to join the franchise in an official capacity. Now, the recent Disney+ announcement regarding the reboot of Daredevil, titled Daredevil: Born Again, as a (sort of) continuation of the Netflix series offers much hope and excitement for the character. The question, of course, becomes: is Daredevil: Born Again connected to the original Netflix show?
Is Netflix Considered MCU Canon?
Disney Platform Distribution
Over its three-season run on Netflix, Daredevil revealed the disturbing underbelly of crime syndicates in Hell’s Kitchen. Instead of fighting aliens coming out of a portal or gods from Asgard, Matt Murdock was fighting against crime lords that ran New York City from the shadows. Matt may be a lawyer by day, but by night, his sense of justice is quite violent. The Netflix series was darker and grittier compared to the latest MCU films, which were, comparatively, like a trip to Disneyland. Other Netflix series were similar in presenting other members of The Defenders, like the Jessica Jones and Luke Cage series. With each Netflix show, allusions were made to the larger scope of the MCU, from news headlines in Karen Page’s office covering the Battle of New York from The Avengers to Jessica Jones’ quips about the heroes. However, when it comes to the question of MCU canon, the shows were notably not included in the MCU timeline guide when they made the jump from Netflix to Disney+ earlier this year.
Is Daredevil: Born Again Connected to Netflix’s Daredevil?
Marvel Studios
Daredevil: Born Again will reportedly take inspiration from the Frank Miller comic storyline of the same name, which details Matt’s fall from grace and subsequent attempts to rebuild himself, both personally and as a hero. Not much is known about the Disney+ series, other than its expected Spring 2024 release date, but there’s an immediate, though subtle, connection to season 3 of Netflix’s Daredevil. Taking place after The Defenders, in which Matt is believed to be dead, Daredevil season 3 showed audiences a character slowly trying to rebuild himself. At this point, Daredevil: Born Again could act as a soft reboot of the Netflix show. Ultimately, the title of the Disney+ series is a play on the fact that the character will be born into a new franchise.
Other Former Netflix Characters in the MCU
Marvel Studios / Disney
Spider-Man: No Way Home audiences saw several big names in other Marvel franchises return to their iconic roles. While Spider-Man fans were overjoyed by Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield‘s reprisals, one cameo set social media buzzing. When Peter Parker and Ned are arrested by the United States Department of Damage Control, Peter called on Matt Murdock to represent him. This was the first appearance of Matt Murdock in any MCU film ever. With this cameo, Disney announced Daredevil appearing in two upcoming series, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Echo. Though the story lines are under wraps, as per usual with Marvel Studios, it’s reported that Matt will be part of a fun adventure with Jen Walters and her cousin Bruce Banner. Additionally, Matt will appear in Echo along with the notorious Wilson Fisk.
When audiences first met Wilson Fisk, as portrayed by Vincent D’Onofrio, he was in awe of a painting in an art gallery. As his storyline evolved in the Netflix Daredevil series, Fisk quickly became one of the most frightening villains in the MCU, rivaling, to a point, the titan Thanos. He might’ve fallen in love and chosen to protect his wife from a prison sentence, but Fisk remained a formidable foe to Daredevil. During the Disney+ series Hawkeye, D’Onofrio reprised his role as the Kingpin, seemingly free from jail. As the former employer of Ronin, Hawkeye’s vengeful alter ego, the Kingpin played a pivotal role in the series. His daunting presence in Hawkeye reached far beyond Kate Bishop and Clint Barton, though. A daughter-like figure to Wilson Fisk was Maya Lopez, who eventually takes on the mantle of Echo. It’s since been confirmed that D’Onofrio’s Wilson Fisk will also return in Daredevil: Born Again.
