Marvel fans were thrilled upon hearing when they heard that a new 18-episode series titled Daredevil Born Again was part of the studio's upcoming projects. Of all the former Marvel offerings on the Netflix streaming service, Daredevil was the most celebrated, with a stellar cast including Charlie Cox, Vincent D'onofrio, Deborah Ann Woll, John Bernthal, and Elden Henson.
Though the original series had decidedly R-rated violence and a few loose string plot lines, audiences are hoping the switch from Netflix to Disney+ is relatively canon-savvy and the inclusion of these original characters and serialized story arcs might help with that transition.
The Return Of Elektra
When audiences last saw Marvel's favorite sai-wielding assassin Elektra Natchios, it was at the climax of The Defenders series, wherein a building collapsed on Daredevil and Elektra. Matt survived, and looked for Elektra's body, but couldn't find it.
Because of her death and resurrection after the events of Daredevil season 2, Elektra had become a primordial force called The Black Sky for the nefarious Hand organization. When a body that is never found doesn't come back from the dead, it's likely that they would reappear again sometime in the future, and given Elodie Yung's fantastic performance, fans ought to expect to see the antihero crossover into the new series.
The Hand's Possible Connection To Shang-Chi
It would be silly for Marvel not to somehow connect these two potential crossover mythological constructs from The Defenders, Daredevil, and Shang-Chi. While Madame Gao and the Hand's network of mystically powered ninjas have yet to be affiliated with the Ten Rings organization onscreen, both are significant Pan-Asian crime syndicates in Marvel's Daredevil and Shang-Chi comics.
The mere presence of fossilized dragons in New York, being mined by the Hand for their resurrecting and enhancement properties, practically begs for an eventual connection to the dragons in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Matt Murdock is no stranger to the varied martial artists in the MCU and a possible Simu Liu cameo would be more than welcome.
Deborah Ann Woll's Karen Page
While supporting cast members of the Daredevil Born Again series have yet to be announced, it's presumed since Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio are reprising their roles, a number of other integral characters with their original actors will return as well. Deborah Ann Woll's Karen Page was a significant presence throughout three seasons of Daredevil, one season of The Defenders, and two seasons of The Punisher.
Woll brings a passionate sense of pathos in being quietly in love with the Man Without Fear and it would only boost the new Disney Plus reboot's sense of credibility to have Woll come along for the ride rather than recasting or finding Matt a new love interest.
Elden Henson's Foggy Nelson
If there were a more perfect rendition from page to screen of Henson's Foggy Nelson, Marvel fans would know it. Though rumors continue about Daredevil's new series regulars possibly being recast for the Feige widescreen end of the Marvel Universe outside of Cox and D'Onofrio, it's looking pretty likely that the Netflix cast will transition along with the main leads.
This is great news for diehard fans of Matt Murdock because Henson's underrated and often Daredevil-comic-accurate portrayal of Murdock's longtime legal eagle associate was one of the highlights of the original Netflix series. Seeing through the eyes of Foggy Nelson as his red-suited BFF comes to know the greater MCU will be icing on the Daredevil reboot cake.
Jon Bernthal's Frank Castle
After all the Marvel announcements at San Diego Comic Con 2022, Marvel fans are wondering what potential reveals might be in store at September's Disney D23 Expo, and one of the more prevalent rumors currently making the trade circles is the return of Jon Bernthal's Frank Castle in a new TV-MA rated Punisher series on Disney Plus.
Disney seems to be embracing a new push for mature content on their streaming service and it's certainly true that the graphic nature of The Punisher will fit that bill. Diehards will relish the return of Bernthal's tormented ex-military vigilante, and it might turn out he'll first appear before the launch of his series in season 1 of Daredevil Born Again.
The Rise Of New Law Firm Nelson, Murdock, And Page
One of the more significant conclusions to Daredevil season 3 on Netflix was the long-and-coming reconciliation between estranged associates Matt Murdock, Karen Page, and Foggy Nelson. It turned out caring for a friend who's a vigilante in his off hours was more difficult than expected. Matt figured this out and pushed Karen and Foggy away from a while, but eventually realized he needed them all the same.
Of course, Foggy ends up suggesting they rebuild a new firm together as a trio. The new agency could come across the likes of superhero lawyers like Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk, (which looks to be happening in the latter's pending show), or other street-level heroes like Peter Parker as shown in Cox's brief cameo in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Wilson Bethel's Bullseye
Season 3 of the Netflix show left on a huge Bullseye cliffhanger before it was known the series would be canceled; it set up a definitive origin story for Bullseye, one of comic Daredevil's most heinous and deadly villains. Benjamin 'Dex' Poindexter was a less than scrupulous FBI agent who falls under Kingpin's sway and suits up as an imposter Daredevil to disparage Matt's vigilante reputation, resulting in a number of bloody brawls between the two.
He underwent experimental surgery in the season finale after Wilson Fisk broke his back, with a final shot of a bull's eye appearing in the villain's eyes. It would be remiss not to retcon Daredevil's primary antagonist into the new Disney reboot.
Ayulet Zurer's Vanessa Fisk
Daredevil season 3 left a number of loose plot strings to shore up and the return of Vanessa Fisk to her husband's side was a big one. After a period of estrangement, she rejoins him and takes over his criminal organization when he returns to prison to protect her. As a crime boss, the former seemingly innocuous Mrs. Fisk dives right in, wanting all roads leading to her and is set up to possibly pose an even bigger and bloodier threat than Kingpin himself.
With Kingpin's massive wealth and the apparent killer instincts required, coupled with Furer's ominous and charismatic delivery, Vanessa would be another foreboding adversary to join Matt Murdock's already established Netflix rogues gallery.