Daredevil will be returning from a self-imposed hiatus when we meet him in next month's The Defenders. Over the past two seasons of Daredevil, Matt Murdock has had a tough go of things. Though he certainly has fantastical abilities, he's the least-powered hero of all the Defenders. As such, his vigilante lifestyle takes a toll on him. And in between all of the fights, he's got a job to focus on and relationships to maintain.

We know when The Defenders opens up, Matt and Foggy's friendship will still be on the rocks. What's more, a clip from the first episode shows that Matt is still mourning the loss of Elektra. She isn't really gone, of course, but somehow the return of a violent, undead version of the woman he loved likely won't cheer Matt up. Because of everything he's been through and all of his perceived failures, the time between season 2 of Daredevil and the opening of The Defenders will see Matt retired as the Devil of Hell's Kitchen.

Cinema Blend spoke with Charlie Cox about Daredevil in The Defenders during SDCC, and the actor had this to say:

"At the end of Daredevil Season 2, everyone failed. Matt failed, and the consequences were devastating. Six or so months have passed, and he's had to completely reevaluate everything that he believes, everything that he does. And he's decided to hang up the suit, as it were. He's focusing all of his energies on being a pro bono lawyer. And I don't think he has any interest, really, in being Daredevil anymore."

Given that half a year has passed since Daredevil was last in action, clearly a lot will have changed in the character's life. That said, when the Hand start messing with New York again and other heroes begin taking up the call, Matt won't be able to keep the suit off for long.

"Of course, what we know about Matt is it's like a drug to him, and I think whenever Matt is not doing that, his life becomes increasingly uncomfortable. Because really, Matt Murdock is the lie with DD. He pretends to be blind. He pretends to use a cane. he pretends to find things with his hands. He's living a lie as Matt Murdock. And so one of the things I love about that superhero, DD is the authentic one. I don't know how much it would take in order for him to break, but happily for him -- or unhappily for him -- it's a disaster. And so he finds himself in a whirlwind of trouble with these other guys, and he needs to step up to the plate."

Cox brings up a good point about Matt's two identities and his addictive personality. For the character, it's more than just teaming up for the next big threat. Like Batman is to Bruce Wayne, Daredevil is the true version of Matt Murdock. From the abilities to the violence, every moment out of the suit is time Matt must tamp down his true self. Hopefully, these sorts of destructive ideas will get explored more in the third season of Daredevil. In the meantime, they should add to the dysfunction of the team in The Defenders.

Next: Alexandra's Connection to The Hand in The Defenders

Marvel’s The Defenders premieres on August 18, followed by The Punisher season 1 later this fall. Premiere dates for the new seasons of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist have yet to be announced.

Source: Cinema Blend