Vincent D’Onofrio Discusses His Relationship With The Kingpin’s Most Eye-Catching Feature Over the Years

Vincent D'Onofrio Discusses His Relationship With The Kingpin's Most Eye-Catching Feature Over the Years

Key Takeaways

  • Daredevil: Born Again brings iconic characters from the Netflix era to the MCU with a new beginning.
  • Vincent D’Onofrio sheds light on transforming into Kingpin and discusses the use of fat suits.
  • D’Onofrio’s dedication to the role and methods for playing Kingpin contributes to his prominence in the MCU.

As a devoted fan of Marvel’s gritty street-level tales, I can’t help but be thrilled by the impending return of Daredevil: Born Again. The series promises to bring back some beloved characters from the Netflix era and introduce them to the grandeur of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Among these characters, Kingpin, portrayed by the inimitable Vincent D’Onofrio, stands out as a behemoth both figuratively and literally.


The “Daredevil: Born Again” series aims to preserve the goodwill of the Marvel TV shows on Netflix and translate it into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Simultaneously, it introduces one of the franchise’s most recognized characters under less stringent conditions.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but marvel at the immense success “Daredevil” achieved when it first graced our screens on Netflix. It paved the way for numerous spin-offs and crossovers that truly marked Marvel’s dominance on small screen entertainment for years to come. The key to this success was undeniably the exceptional performances, with Charlie Cox brilliantly embodying the title character and other talented actors breathing life into their respective roles. A shining example of this was Vincent D’Onofrio’s portrayal of Kingpin, a villain so captivating that he earned a prominent place in the MCU reboot “Daredevil: Born Again,” sharing the limelight once again with Cox.

According to Popverse, during his recent DragonCon appearance, actor Vincent D’Onofrio shared insights into his journey transforming for the role of Kingpin in Daredevil: Born Again, despite initially stating it wasn’t particularly interesting. He explained how his interest in the character was sparked by his familiarity with Fisk from comics he read as a child. To play the now-iconic character, D’Onofrio gained approximately 40 pounds for the first Netflix series, while still maintaining his usual exercise routine. This transformation, which he found enjoyable because it allowed him to eat more carbs and dairy, took nearly five years due to the extended production of the three seasons. During this time, he kept the extra weight despite working on Jurassic World and Magnificent Seven as well. He would inform directors that his character would be a large man.

During the series Hawkeye, I discovered they’ve developed innovative suits that give the illusion of bulkiness. For the first time, these suits appeared genuinely realistic beneath clothing to me. They employed this technology when Thor gained weight, using a blend of prosthetics and CGI. The suits NASA creates mold to your muscles and simply amplify your existing muscle form. They’re sleek, lightweight, and surprisingly comfortable – they weigh as much as a sneaker, but can get quite warm. I found myself contemplating switching to these suits instead of carrying the extra weight. As Hawkeye progressed, I gradually shed excess pounds and donned the oversized suit. By the time Echo appeared, I was almost back to my original shape, having lost the weight and feeling lighter. It took a while due to my age.

Although numerous viewers can grasp the challenges in losing weight for a role, not many who haven’t experienced it themselves can comprehend the struggles of gaining weight as well. D’Onofrio’s commitment to his character, sacrificing other opportunities to achieve the right build, is a testament to the mindset that has made him such a captivating and successful actor. The star then shared with fans how this transformation had impacted him, stating, “I wore a suit in Echo, which was also fantastic,” D’Onofrio noted, referring to the MCU show that paved the way for his upcoming Kingpin roles. “Now I can simply follow my regular routine and wear these amazing suits. In the new series, I’m wearing the suit, and it’s outstanding. We also play around with makeup a bit to make my face appear rounder. I’ve seen several episodes of the new season now, and it works wonderfully. I believe you’ll be pleased.

As a devoted MCU gamer, I’ve got to say, Kingpin, played masterfully by D’Onofrio, has quickly matched Cox’s Daredevil in terms of impact within the Universe. His genuine commitment to the role and outspoken interactions with fans have made him a force to reckon with. If the rumors about Devil’s Reign are true, it seems we’re in for a bigger, bolder Kingpin on the scene – exactly what the MCU needs to dive deep into the gritty street-level tales that it’s been yearning to tell.

Daredevil: Born Again is set to premiere on Disney+ in March 2025.

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2024-10-08 23:23