Vincent D’Onofrio’s Epic Daredevil Scream

by

The past 15 years have been one long Marvel crossover for Philip J Silvera.

The experienced stunt organizer and backup director donned the Deadpool costume for a portion of the well-known test video that eventually secured the film’s production. He was present in the elevator during the scene from Captain America: The Winter Soldier, where Steve Rogers asked, “Is there anyone who wishes to depart?” His most significant contribution is his role as a guiding influence on Daredevil. He played a key part in shaping the show’s atmosphere and mood early in its Netflix run, with sequences such as the iconic, season one hallway fight being particularly noteworthy.

Five years ago, we filmed test footage for Deadpool, but it wasn’t until later that it was leaked. At the same time, I was working on episode 10 of Daredevil when this happened. Tim Miller, who directed Deadpool, recommended me for the Daredevil job and soon after its leak, I found myself juggling the last three episodes of season one of Daredevil with preparing for Deadpool in Los Angeles over the following weekends.”

Or more casually:

“We filmed test footage for Deadpool five years back, but it leaked later on. I was busy working on episode 10 of Daredevil when this happened. Tim Miller, who directed Deadpool, suggested me for the Daredevil project and just a couple weeks after the leak, I had to balance finishing up season one of Daredevil while also prepping for Deadpool in LA over the weekends.

Approximately ten years have passed, and the final episode of “Daredevil: Born Again” was streamed last Tuesday. Silvera has been actively working on season two, having also been promoted to the role of action director following his work as second unit director supervising stunt coordinator in season one. This promotion is a testament to his contributions, particularly in scenes like the one where camera angles switch between two battles: one between Wilson Fisk and Adam, who was once Vanessa’s lover, and another between Daredevil and Muse, a serial killer terrorizing New York City.

Despite Disney+ providing more resources for production compared to Netflix’s version of Daredevil, sequences like this one required inventive problem-solving during filming. As Silvera explains, they had to omit a specific moment in Wilson Fisk’s part of the fight scene, where the Kingpin lifts his opponent by the throat “to mimic what was happening in Muse.” However, due to time constraints, they had to think outside the box, with assistance from Vincent D’Onofrio, who played Wilson Fisk.

Silvera remembers the actor unleashing an intense anger, as he spontaneously exclaimed ‘MAHHHHHHH!’ during the scene. In that instant, Vincent was following his emotions and adjusting actions instantly.

After considering his time on Daredevil finished due to its cancellation in 2018 by Netflix, Silvera experienced a rejuvenation, which he later referred to as a “rebirth.”

Following the cancellation of Daredevil by Netflix in 2018, Silvera thought his journey on the show was complete. However, what followed for him was a renewal, a new beginning that he later termed as a “rebirth.

Initially, Silvera wasn’t involved when Marvel Studios reintroduced the series as “Daredevil: Born Again,” featuring popular actors like Charlie Cox (as Daredevil) and D’Onofrio (Kingpin). Despite filming several episodes with a new team, Marvel Studios eventually decided they weren’t content with the creative direction. As a result, they brought in showrunner Dario Scardapane to take over.

2023 rolled around and just as I was gearing up for a friend’s wedding, my phone rang. It was an offer to rejoin the Daredevil team. Given the pivotal role stunts played in the series’ triumph, Marvel themselves highlighted my return in their press announcements about the show’s renovation.

According to Silvera, after over a decade, the physical performances of Cox and D’Onofrio are crucial to their characters in the show. He approximates that they perform around 90% of their fight scenes themselves. The series is notably tough on Cox.

According to him, Cox is constantly working on the primary unit and later contributes by handling several large-scale action scenes in the secondary unit. He’s always fully engaged and energetic.

Silvera’s advancement to action director in the second season of “Born Again” is being recognized due to an increasing appreciation towards the work of stunt professionals. Recently, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced plans to establish an Oscar category for stunt design. Silvera commends directors like David Leitch and Chad Stahelski, formerly stuntmen themselves, for bringing attention to their skillful profession.

He expressed that it’s a mix of joy and sadness, understanding that numerous pioneers who paved the way for this achievement – iconic figures who established this art form long before us – might not receive the recognition they truly deserve as this news was shared,” he wrote in a subsequent email. “The original Indiana Jones films, Troy, 1917, the Bond series, and Jackie Chan’s groundbreaking work were mentioned among these forgotten legends.

In the realm of Daredevil: Born Again’s second season, I must admit that the narrative, coupled with the darker, more intriguing path they’ve chosen, ranks among my favorite Daredevil tales.

Read More

2025-04-18 01:24