The storyline that Marvel Studios has set up forDaredevil: Born Againhas me very excited, but I’d love to see another Defenders Saga villain return, despite his death, to make aDevil’s Reignadaptation in theMCUeven more comic-accurate. Thefirst trailer forDaredevil: Born Againmade me incredibly happy by confirming that the upcoming Phase 5 series will be directly continuing the story of Marvel Television’s originalDaredevilseries. This also gives me hope that other Defenders Saga characters could appear inBorn Again, dead or alive.
While I would love to see Charlie Cox’sMatt Murdock reunite with the other Defenders, Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones, Mike Colter’s Luke Cage and Finn Jones' Danny Rand, it’s actually a formidable supervillain that I want to see return the most.Vincent D’Onofrio’s Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. Kingpin, is expected to be the primary antagonist ofDaredevil: Born Again, alongside smaller threats such as Muse and Bullseye. Even so,the story that Marvel has teased forDaredevil: Born Againmakes me think another villain needs to return so that Kingpin can bring his plans to fruition.
Daredevil: Born Again Seems To Be Inspired By Marvel Comics’ Devil’s Reign
Devil’s Reign Saw Mayor Wilson Fisk Wage War On New York’s Superheroes
Daredevil: Born Againwill seeWilson Fisk run for the powerful position of Mayor of New York, which was teased in the final moments of 2024’sEchoMarvel Spotlight series. This storyline is taken straight from the pages of Marvel Comics, and when Fisk becomes Mayor, he begins his conquest against the superheroes and vigilantes operating in New York City.2021’sDevil’s Reignstoryline saw Fisk outlaw vigilantism in New York and employ Thunderbolts units to police his new law, impacting the likes of Daredevil, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four and many more.
Wilson Fisk becoming Mayor of New York City in the MCU is clearly setting up an adaptation of theDevil’s Reignstoryline, and I can’t wait to see this event unfold in live-action. While I’d love to see all manner of MCU heroes from New York makecameo appearances inDaredevil: Born Again, I reckon this is unlikely, and Kingpin’s actions might only affect Daredevil. Even so,I would love to see Fisk employ the help of one of my favorite Defenders Saga villains, just as he does in Marvel Comics, provided the MCU retcons his 2015 death.
Kilgrave, A.K.A. The Purple Man, Is Very Important To Marvel’s Devil’s Reign Story
The Purple Man Was Key To Kingpin’s Devil’s Reign Plans
One of the most crucial characters in Marvel Comics’Devil’s Reignstoryline is thePurple Man, a.k.a. Zebediah Killgrave.The Purple Man produces pheromones that allow him to verbally control the minds of anyone in his proximity, which made him a huge asset to Kingpin inDevil’s Reign, as Fisk created a staff capable of mind-controlling others by severing one of the Purple Man’s fingers. Fisk planned to use this staff to sway the residents of New York into reelecting him as Mayor, and he even uses this staff to restore his own memories.
Daredevil: Born Again’s Cast Reveals Hint The MCU Can’t Use The Best Villain From Marvel’s Netflix Shows
Marvel’s Netflix shows may have already killed New York’s scariest street-level villain before he got to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In 2017, Killgrave’s offspring, the Purple Children, wiped the world’s memories of Daredevil’s real identity, even making Kingpin forget. During theDevil’s Reignevent, Kingpin restored these memories and hunted the Purple Children, using them to enhance their father’s powers, hoping to have the Purple Man kill New York’s heroes.The Purple Man was eventually defeated by one of his own children, while Daredevil subdued Kingpin, allowing Luke Cage to become Mayor. Killgrave’s prominence in Marvel Comics’Devil’s Reignmakes me hopeful that the MCU will restore theDefenders Saga villain inDaredevil: Born Again.
I Want David Tennant’s Kilgrave To Return Despite His Jessica Jones Death
David Tennant’s Kilgrave Was A Fantastic Defenders Saga Villain
Doctor Whostar David Tennant brought Kilgrave to life in 2015’sJessica Jonesseason 1, as he was revealed to have controlled Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones for quite some time before she managed to break free from his powers after murdering Reva Connors.Tennant’s version of Kilgrave was incredibly sinister, menacing and captivating, so I was shocked whenJessica Jonesseason 1 endedwith Jessica Jones killing him. His influence over Jones was prominent in latter seasons, but I want to see Kilgrave return in full force inDaredevil: Born Again.
In early 2024, David Tennant revealed that he would love to reprise the role of Kilgrave in the MCU, noting that"you never know"whether characters can return, even despite death, in the Marvel Universe.
Marvel Studios integrated the Defenders Saga into the MCU’s main timeline in early 2024, suggesting Kilgrave’s death is now canon to the MCU. However,Hawkeye, She-Hulk: Attorney at LawandEchohave changed small details established in the Defenders Saga to better fit the MCU, which makes me hopeful that Marvel Studios could somehow retcon Kilgrave’s death. This could allowDavid Tennant to reprise his villainous roleinDaredevil: Born Again, allowing a very comic-accurateDevil’s Reignstory to unfold in the MCU.
Daredevil: Born Again
Cast
Daredevil: Born Again follows blind lawyer Matt Murdock, who uses his heightened abilities to pursue justice in New York. As he manages a bustling law firm, former mob boss Wilson Fisk navigates political ambitions, leading both men toward a confrontation as their pasts resurface.
