Charlie Cox Reveals Doubts About Original ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Series Direction

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The Daredevil: Born Again series was originally planned to be a very different production before the writers’ strike disrupted everything. Nobody in the industry yearns for those uncertain times, but for the upcoming Disney+ show, it turned out to be a fortunate twist of events since it gave the creators the opportunity to realize that the new Daredevil series was veering off course. Intriguingly, lead actor Charlie Cox, who was eager to reprise his role as the main character, also had reservations about the previous direction of the series.

In a conversation with GQ, Cox shared insights on the initial plans for the show, which didn’t have strong links to the previous Netflix series apart from featuring Cox and his co-star, Vincent D’Onofrio. Although they were enthusiastic to reprise their beloved characters, Cox acknowledges they needed to remain flexible about where the series was heading, as they weren’t completely clear on its creative path.

Initially, it seemed best for us not to repeat past actions since we had already tried that. Neither Vincent nor I were entirely certain about our course of action, but as dedicated professionals, we aimed to remain open-minded and follow orders.

The original plan for “Daredevil: Born Again” was to give it a lighter feel and a more episodic structure, setting it apart from the Netflix version. Filming started in March 2023, but it was paused in June due to the Writers Guild of America Strike. During this break, the higher-ups reviewed what had been filmed and found that it wasn’t fitting the vision. Marvel Studios decided to completely revamp the series, letting go of headwriters Matt Corman and Chris Ord, along with the initial directors who had directed multiple episodes. Dario Scardpane, Justin Benson, and Aaron Moorhead were then brought on board to make the show more interconnected and consistent with the Netflix series.

The Writers’ Strike Was a Blessing in Disguise For ‘Daredevil: Born Again’

The writers’ strike served as a significant turning point for the development of Daredevil: Born Again. Both Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio are grateful that this pause allowed Marvel Studios to recognize what wasn’t effective, leading them to conclude that tying in with the popular Netflix version would be the most advantageous decision. In a subsequent interview, Cox stated, “The writers’ strike occurred, followed by the actors’ strike, which gave the producers the chance to evaluate our episodes and determine it needed adjustments.” Similarly, D’Onofrio also expressed his dissatisfaction in the same conversation, mentioning that influential figures like Kevin [Feige] took notice.

In essence, “Daredevil: Born Again” serves as a reboot and sequel to the initial series, with Matt Murdock (portrayed by Cox) resuming his crusade against injustice – simultaneously functioning as a blind attorney during the day and a masked vigilante known as Daredevil at night. Previously notorious crime boss Wilson Fisk (D’Onofrio) is also back, this time seeking to become New York City’s mayor, a move that will undeniably rekindle his past encounters with Matt. The ensemble cast includes Margarita Levieva, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Zabryna Guevara, Nikki M. James, Genneya Walton, Arty Froushan, Clark Johnson, Michael Gandolfini, Ayelet Zurer, Jon Bernthal and Wilson Bethel.

It’s satisfying to notice that the series evolved into what it was destined to be, surprisingly due to an event that temporarily halted the entire industry. Cox reflects on this coincidence, stating,“[Daredevil: Born Again] aligns more with the kind of content we created at Netflix. In a strange turn of events, the strikes that caused distress for many in our field turned out to be beneficial for our show.”

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2025-02-20 18:34