Daredevil: Born Again Revives Marvel’s Street-Level Hero

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The upcoming series “Daredevil: Born Again” offers an opportunity to infuse the distinctive atmosphere of the Marvel Netflix series into the current Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Since the conclusion of the Infinity Saga in “Endgame”, the MCU has faced a wave of criticism, primarily for being too similar. The MCU seems oddly repetitive ever since then, but revisiting its offbeat side-universe could bring about change. It’s intriguing to speculate how some of the earlier MCU projects might have differed if they were presented in this new/old tone. For instance, “Moon Knight” might have been a dramatically different show under these circumstances.

I must confess, my initial impressions of “Daredevil: Born Again” are a bit mixed, much like the show itself. It dares to carry on the legacy of the original three seasons while grappling with the heavy anticipation that comes with modern Marvel productions. Frankly, it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the best moments from the Netflix series. However, in comparison to the numerous weaker moments scattered throughout those 39 episodes, I find it fitting in quite well so far. A new look at the original series might help temper expectations for this revival.

Daredevil: Born Again Will Revive Marvel’s Street Level

Showrunner Dario Scardapane
Stars Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Margarita Levieva, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson
Release Date March 4, 2025
Episodes 9
Streaming On Disney+

Characters portrayed as superheroes are often categorized into tiers according to the magnitude of their missions. Local heroes typically confine their activities within a single city, battling common criminals like bank robbers and murderers. Daredevil falls neatly into this category, as does his Defenders universe. However, Marvel seems less enthusiastic about developing their street-level characters in their ongoing cinematic universe. They attempt to do so, but they appear more at ease operating on a larger scale.

A step above the streets might involve a hero confronting global issues. Captain America is an example of this, as he frequently travels worldwide for espionage or combat. A further escalation could see heroes like the Guardians of the Galaxy traversing the universe, venturing far beyond the realms of conventional urban adventures. In each instance, the gravity of the challenges faced by the hero corresponds with the scope of their location. If Captain America falters, it could endanger the entire planet. If the Guardians stumble, numerous planets might be destroyed. Daredevil’s battles primarily revolve around murderers and organized crime, maintaining a lower risk level but a significantly darker atmosphere.

Interestingly enough, I find myself reflecting on the contrast when just a handful of lives are at risk – it feels more intimate, personal even. This seems to be the challenge faced by the MCU’s street-level productions; they aim to steer clear of the darkness that series like Daredevil embrace, yet maintain the intimacy and tight narrative structure. It can become repetitive when every tale involves saving the world or something equally grand. Take Spider-Man for instance. To keep pace with other Marvel projects, his story has been stretched far beyond his humble beginnings in the friendly neighborhood. If given the chance, I believe Spider-Man could thrive in a more gritty setting, while still maintaining his signature humor – offering a distinctive flavor within the MCU. A reboot like ‘Born Again’ could pave the way for this transformation, and there are characters who desperately need a fresh beginning.

Moon Knight Will Return in a New Form

The series, titled Moon Knight, garnered modest attention and didn’t create a significant buzz. While viewers generally appreciated Oscar Isaac’s performance, the music, select action sequences, and various other notable aspects of the show, there’s been little ongoing conversation about it. As the sixth production during Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it faced the challenge of following the monumental success of Endgame. Although Phase Four had its moments, critics and fans were swift to criticize any post-Endgame projects that failed to meet expectations. Moon Knight was one such project that was anticipated for a unique tone but fell short of delivering. Fans expected a more comic-accurate portrayal, but instead received another MCU show that seemed too similar to its predecessors. Despite the lack of a second season, Marvel TV executive Brad Winderbaum has plans for future Moon Knight projects. These plans could take various forms, and the upcoming Daredevil: Born Again provides some intriguing possibilities.

Daredevil’s Tone Fits Moon Knight Well

It appears that many fans prefer their comic book adaptations to be quite grim, and this suits Moon Knight particularly well because he’s a mentally ill vigilante who often resorts to violent means against his foes. His tales usually revolve around madness, he seldom possesses superpowers, and most of his secondary characters are monstrous in nature. These characteristics don’t align with the MCU very well, but they seem fitting alongside shows like Daredevil. Moon Knight could potentially reappear in the MCU in a way that more accurately reflects his comic book persona.

Over time, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has grown more cautious as it gained and then lost its dominance in blockbuster films. Now, in response to changing market dynamics, they tend to revert back to what made them famous 15 years ago. Any new direction or even a slight deviation from the past is a challenge for future MCU projects. If “Born Again” performs well, it could pave the way for similar productions. “Moon Knight” faced struggles due to adhering too closely to traditional MCU conventions. However, “Born Again” introduces a fresh perspective to this formula, and could be an ideal platform for Moon Knight’s comeback.

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2025-03-08 19:46