As a longtime comic book fan and someone who’s spent countless hours immersed in the gritty, dark world of Marvel’s street-level heroes, I wholeheartedly agree that it’s high time for Marvel to embrace the R-rated side of their universe. The success of “Deadpool & Wolverine” has proven that audiences are eager for more adult-oriented content within the MCU, and there’s no better character to lead this charge than Daredevil.
It’s clear that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is set to delve deeper into mutant characters, as hinted by the Wolverine connection in “Captain America: Brave New World,” Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) being a carrier of the mutant gene, and Beast’s (Kelsey Grammar) appearance in “The Marvels.” Although the introduction of the Fantastic Four and Stark doppelgangers of Doom are also on the horizon, it’s not just the emergence of homo superiors that should excite us. Instead, it’s the lesser-known heroes who might pave the way for significant growth within the franchise, potentially yielding more substantial benefits in the long term.
The much-anticipated comeback of Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock, also known as Daredevil, is preparing to serve up a hefty dose of justice in “Daredevil: Born Again.” Following some remarkable previews that left D23 spectators stunned, whispers have circulated around the streets of Hell’s Kitchen regarding the possible role of our horn-headed hero within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The potential impact of these developments on the franchise and the potential elevation of Cox’s iconic vigilante to a more significant role in the MCU, potentially alongside a former billionaire philanthropist and leading a team of mutants, is causing much excitement among fans.
Marvel might be setting up deals with the Devil – and that’s great
Initially, when Charlie Cox donned the black balaclava and began pounding goons’ heads against shipping containers on Netflix’s “Daredevil,” this series walked hand-in-hand with the Marvel Cinematic Universe without fully immersing itself in it. However, it introduced Matt Murdock as a street-level counterpart to Tony Stark, leaping across rooftops and guiding us through grimy, mature alleyways, introducing characters like Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, the Punisher, and Iron Fist. Recent reports hint that Cox’s character could reprise these duties, potentially stepping into the void left by Robert Downey Jr.’s founding Avenger.
As per Cosmic Marvel reports, Marvel Studios apparently plans to leverage Charlie Cox’s Daredevil character as a stepping stone for fresh tales involving the street superheroes within the MCU. This could potentially lead to Matt Murdock, aka Daredevil, intermingling with other heroes such as Oscar Isaac’s Moon Knight and Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova. Here’s hoping this happens! As the Marvel Cinematic Universe expands, we might see an influx of characters with magnetic powers and Kamala Khan serving as our guide into the realm of mutants. Let Daredevil serve as a bridge between these new characters, acting almost like a seasoned advisor from the comic book world, setting a high standard for grittier and more sophisticated superhero narratives. Moreover, he could pave the way for smaller, street-level stories where the writing takes center stage.
Street-level could be a cheap level for the MCU to flourish
When we encounter projects involving mutant adventures (like those of the X-Men), they tend to be quite expensive, comparable to renting Avengers Tower. This is because these stories frequently traverse different dimensions and time periods, whereas Daredevil’s narratives are more confined to his neighborhood (Hell’s Kitchen). Since Daredevil is usually busy fighting crime lords and assailants aiming to destroy Hell’s Kitchen, stories that stay within this realm may not require such a high cost. For instance, when Charlie Cox’s Daredevil debuted on Netflix, each episode cost an average of $3.3 million, yet it became very popular. If the upcoming “Born Again” series follows suit after its significant reworking, it could also become a hit and demonstrate that expensive productions aren’t always necessary for high-quality Marvel stories.
For Marvel Television, stepping out independently might serve as a cost-effective experiment, considering recent setbacks such as “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and “The Marvels.” With characters like Murdock potentially encountering new characters such as the upcoming Black Widow and Moon Knight, their standalone stories could receive adequate budget allocation while larger investments are made for projects like the X-Men. Notably, these potential storylines could resonate more strongly due to their mature themes, paving the way for Marvel to delve deeper into a genre hinted at through “Deadpool & Wolverine” – a compelling R-rated narrative.
Daredevil: Born Again could put more of a hard R in ‘Marvel’
Although ‘Echo’ could be considered Marvel’s initial ‘mature’ narrative, it was ultimately Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) and Logan (Hugh Jackman) in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ who truly captured the audience’s interest. This R-rated film represented a risk, but one that paid off significantly at the box office, demonstrating the capacity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to depict violence, profanity, and still maintain audience appeal. Why couldn’t this formula be applied to lesser-known, more rugged heroes, while we wait for the inevitable emergence of family-friendly mutant teams?
In the upcoming series, it’s clear that Matt Murdock’s comeback will significantly increase the level of violence as he faces off against Kingpin, Vincent D’Onofrio. This confrontation will surpass the intensity of the original show, as indicated by the promise to Rotten Tomatoes. With such a high benchmark set, Yelena and Moon Knight can expect more intense spy and psychological journeys respectively, each unfolding weekly. The franchise is in need of exploring darker themes for its heroes, and Matt Murdock seems an ideal candidate to initiate this change, pushing his moral boundaries just as he did during “Daredevil” Season 2. However, this time around, the Marvel Cinematic Universe can offer a more challenging ordeal for our hero, venturing into uncharted territory and truly revealing the devil within.
Marvel should be more daring with Matt Murdock’s future
In typical X-Men fashion, the distinction between right and wrong may become unclear due to the actions of two significant figures, Charles Xavier and Magneto. Over the years, their beliefs have been challenged (as depicted in the fantastic “X-Men ’97”), but their complex confrontation might still be some distance away in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While we wait for that intricate struggle, let’s imagine Matt Murdock taking on a mediating role within the MCU. To add an unexpected twist, suppose Daredevil finds himself slipping into darkness instead.
Two particular events in Daredevil history stand out that could make for great major events in the MCU: “Shadowland” and “The Red Fist Saga.” Both stories see Matt apply a more stern and severe form of justice to those he believes need it, leading to conflicts with the likes of Luke Cage, Spider-Man, Moon Knight, and even Captain America. Granted, one instance is the result of him being possessed by a demon (and getting a black suit to boot), but this is the kind of fall from grace that could make for a far more compelling watch than say, an iconic villain like Doctor Doom debuting as a Tony Stark doppelganger. It’s this, along with the down-in-the-dirt level vigilantes that Daredevil will bring along with him, that make for a far more interesting era than the X-Men might deliver. Come on Marvel, do as the devil does and don’t be afraid.
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2024-09-15 17:00