Daredevil: Born Again Should Learn From The Penguin

Key Takeaways

The Penguin is a prestige drama on HBO, setting a new standard for superhero TV shows in the DC universe.
Daredevil: Born Again is set to shake up the tone of the MCU with a gritty, crime-focused approach reminiscent of The Penguin.
Daredevil: Born Again could establish the MCU’s version of The Sopranos by embracing a grounded, crime drama narrative.

As a longtime fan of gritty crime dramas and superhero shows alike, I’m thrilled to see Marvel Studios taking a bold step with Daredevil: Born Again. Having grown up on classics like The Sopranos and The Godfather, it’s exciting to imagine Marvel Studios crafting their own version of these masterpieces within the MCU.

Since its debut, HBO’s “The Penguin” has left a significant mark and is being praised as one of television’s top-tier superhero shows. The achievements of this DC TV production could offer valuable insights for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, particularly in relation to their upcoming Disney+ series, “Daredevil: Born Again.

Born Again” will be somewhat different, being a new tale set within the established Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but featuring the cast from Netflix’s “Daredevil” series. Although both shows belong to separate universes and comic book characters, “Daredevil: Born Again” could potentially have an equivalent effect on the MCU as “The Penguin” is having for DC.

The Penguin is DC’s Prestige Drama

So far, DC’s TV lineup has primarily been made up of the Arrowverse series, such as Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, etc., which have been highly successful and cherished by fans. However, these shows are on a different level compared to that of Gotham’s own Penguin, catering to a broader audience. Since The Penguin is an HBO production, it enjoys creative liberties when it comes to its graphic content and themes, and it also boasts a larger budget for more elaborate action sequences. This flexibility has enabled The Penguin to match the quality set by Batman in terms of storytelling and has elevated it to the prestigious tier of TV shows.

The high standing of The Penguin doesn’t automatically imply that every forthcoming DC Universe TV series must follow suit, yet it offers a refreshing shift away from the conventional DC television productions we’ve seen so far.

Daredevil Born Again Should Follow the Penguin’s Lead

Daredevil: Born Again Could Shake Up the Tone of the MCU

Just like the Arrowverse, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has developed a distinctive style in its Disney+ television series so far. Although many of Marvel’s TV shows delve into various genres, they generally stick to the superhero vibe that the MCU is recognized for. With Daredevil: Born Again, the MCU could venture into new territory and potentially create a prestigious superhero television show unlike any other.

The Netflix Marvel series for Daredevil, though no longer considered canonical, established a gritty and violent atmosphere for the character. As it was rated TV-MA, it could fully explore the darker aspects of both the protagonist and the universe. This style was appreciated by viewers, with Marvel’s Daredevil holding an impressive 92% average score on Rotten Tomatoes to this day. In 2023, Marvel Studios halted production on Daredevil: Born Again and initiated a creative revamp of the series, aiming to make it more consistent with the Netflix series’ tone. Lately, Marvel Studios has confirmed that Daredevil: Born Again will retain its TV-MA rating on Disney+, a distinction it previously held only once for Echo.

Though Echo followed a more somber and distinct genre compared to other Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Disney+ series, it didn’t quite achieve the level of acclaim that a show like The Penguin has. However, Marvel Studios’ reimagining of Daredevil: Born Again suggests they aim to revamp the tone of their Disney+ series, potentially striving to create a prestige-level TV production similar to The Penguin within the MCU.

Daredevil: Born Again and The Penguin Share a Genre

Apart from their distinctive tones, “Daredevil: Born Again” and “The Penguin” share a common theme. “The Penguin” delves into the grimy crime world of Gotham City, a perspective typically presented through the eyes of a hero. In a similar vein, “Daredevil: Born Again” is characterized as a street-level series within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), offering a more realistic portrayal of New York City and its criminal factions compared to other MCU productions.

In another aspect, “Daredevil: Born Again” could gain insight from “The Penguin”, particularly by adopting a perspective that focuses on Gotham City through The Penguin’s eyes and distancing itself from the conventional superhero aspects of Batman. This shift has enabled the series to delve deep into the complexities of its criminal underworld, which has led to a unique kind of superhero TV show – one that resembles classic mobster dramas such as “The Sopranos” or “The Godfather”. This approach has been lauded by audiences and could be a successful strategy for “Daredevil: Born Again”, given that it maintains its roots in the superhero genre while offering a grittier, more grounded take on Daredevil’s story. The series is set amidst the unseen criminal organizations manipulating New York City, rather than the more fantastical adversaries or threats typically faced by the Avengers.

Exploring Gotham City from the perspective of the Penguin, and distancing ourselves slightly from Batman, offers a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the complexities of its criminal underbelly.

Daredevil: Born Again Could Be The MCU’s Version of The Sopranos

Daredevil: Born Again Should Learn From The Penguin

It seems clear that the upcoming series, “Daredevil: Born Again,” will maintain its gritty, crime-focused narrative, similar to the Netflix version, with Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock facing off against his arch-nemesis, Wilson Fisk, the notorious crime lord. In terms of character development for Fisk, “Daredevil: Born Again” might follow a strategy akin to that seen in “The Penguin,” providing him with a more empathetic background and motivations, thus creating an intriguing contrast with Daredevil. Additionally, the series could adopt a genre style like “The Penguin,” gradually intensifying its criminal underworld to mimic classic mobster dramas.

It appears that every bit of information about “Daredevil: Born Again” hints at a change in tone compared to Disney+’s current Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) TV series. However, whether it can match the success of “The Penguin” remains uncertain. If it does manage to achieve this level of excellence, it would be an impressive feat for Marvel Studios and potentially pave the way for a new direction in TV shows within the MCU.

Daredevil: Born Again is scheduled to release on Disney+ on March 4, 2025.

2024-10-31 01:06