Daredevil: Born Again” Showrunner Claims It Will Outshine HBO’s “The Penguin

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In continuation of the popular Netflix series, the anticipated sequel, titled “Daredevil: Reborn“, will bring back the Man Without Fear to New York City, where he’ll continue his tireless battle against crime and corruption. After a long wait for devoted fans of the original show and its character, indications so far suggest an impressive continuation that broadens the universe of Daredevil within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Despite the high expectations to meet, “Daredevil: Reborn” has also aimed to surpass another critically-acclaimed and award-winning series — “The Penguin“.

In an interview with SFX Magazine (through GamesRadar), Daredevil: Born Again‘s creator, Dario Scardapane, likened the upcoming Disney+ series to HBO’s successful drama The Penguin. Despite being developed before The Penguin aired on TV, Scardapane asserts that his show will match the tone of the DC program. Furthermore, he hints that Born Again will be “less fantastical and more realistic.” In his own words:

It’s quite unusual. You’re working in isolation, producing something, when suddenly there’s this unexpected result and you exclaim, ‘Wow, that’s amazing!’ In many aspects, ‘The Penguin’ is our main competitor. Yet, we are more firmly grounded, less stylized, and more focused on the present moment. I admire The Penguin. We move a bit quicker, have a sharper edge, and tell our stories in a cleaner manner.

Despite the upcoming series, “Daredevil: Born Again,” supposedly receiving a more mature TV rating compared to its previous version on Netflix, it will face stiff competition when measured against “The Penguin.” This HBO DC production has garnered significant acclaim, with Colin Farrell clinching the Best Actor award at the Golden Globes. Furthermore, “The Penguin” was a bold addition to Matt Reeves’ crime saga epic, characterized by an abundance of explicit language and mature themes. In 2024, it stood as one of the best shows, significantly impacting the genre just as Netflix’s “Daredevil” did years ago.

How ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Differs From Netflix Series

Apart from “The Penguin,” other shows have been likened to the upcoming “Daredevil: Born Again.” Showrunner Dario Scardapane shared with SFX Magazine that the new Disney+ series surpasses the original Netflix version in various aspects. One of these improvements includes a more intense, swiftly moving narrative with fewer scenes where characters discuss heroism in a room.

In its most dull, it was merely two characters debating the essence of a hero within a confined space. Frankly, I found this repetitive and uninspiring. I’m not criticizing, but I had no interest in listening to characters lament their circumstances. Instead, I yearned for scenes where they were actively engaged.

It’s uncertain whether Scardapane is alluding to scenes such as Punisher (Jon Bernthal) and Daredevil (Charlie Cox) debating the ethics of vigilantism in Season 2, which are considered some of the most engaging parts of the Netflix series. Nevertheless, it’s possible that Daredevil: Born Again could benefit from cutting down on certain slower sections of the original show. It remains to be seen if Born Again will meet expectations, but Marvel Studios has shown enough faith in the show to renew it for Season 2 even before its premiere on Disney+ this March.

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2025-01-28 20:32