When Disney announced that its own streaming service would host the small-screen future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the MCU shows on Netflix were promptly canceled. And it was a great shame because despite not directly connecting to Marvel’s movies, a lot of those shows were awesome. Daredevil, one of the darkest entries in the MCU, is a prime example.
After the disappointment of Ben Affleck’s movie in 2003, Charlie Cox finally provided fans with a definitive on-screen portrayal of the Man Without Fear in the Netflix series. Now that the Daredevil rights have reverted back to Marvel, he could (and should) return to the MCU.
Charlie Cox Should Return: He’s Perfect For The Role
Throughout three seasons of Daredevil, Charlie Cox proved himself to be perfect for the role of Matt Murdock. He nailed both the nuances of Murdock as a friend and attorney, as well as the fierce physicality of Daredevil as a masked vigilante.
Whereas Ben Affleck disappointed fans by essentially playing Daredevil as a soft Batman, Cox has leaned into all the qualities that make Daredevil unique.
How It Could Happen: A Standalone Movie
With Blade and Deadpool getting their own movies in the MCU, Kevin Feige is clearly interested in veering into darker territory with more adult-oriented characters as the franchise heads into the future. Charlie Cox’s Daredevil’s arc could pick up with a standalone movie.
Amid the chaos of destructive final battles and disruptions to the spacetime continuum, a gritty crime thriller on the streets of Hell’s Kitchen might arrive as a breath of fresh air.
Charlie Cox Should Return: Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin Needs To Return
In addition to Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock, it would be great to see Vincent D’Onofrio reprise his role as Wilson Fisk, aka the Kingpin, who defied the MCU’s so-called “villain problem” in Netflix’s Daredevil series.
If Cox came back to play Daredevil again, it would offer Marvel a chance to ingratiate D’Onofrio’s Kingpin into the larger MCU, where he could become one of the franchise’s most complex baddies.
How It Could Happen: Defending Spider-Man In Court
The bombshell ending of Spider-Man: Far From Home saw Spidey’s secret identity of Peter Parker being revealed to the world as he’s framed for Mysterio’s attack in London.
In Spider-Man: No Way Home, he’s going to need some legal representation. He could either be represented by Jen Walters, aka She-Hulk, or Matt Murdock.
Charlie Cox Should Return: He’d Probably Share Great Chemistry With The Other Heroes
Cox shared terrific on-screen chemistry with all his co-stars in Daredevil, from Deborah Ann Woll as Karen to Elden Henson as Foggy to Élodie Yung as Elektra.
If he joined the MCU, then he’d likely forge strong chemistry with all the other heroes. He’d make a great foil for Tom Holland’s Spidey or Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool, or even the new Black Widow.
How It Could Happen: A Supporting Role In Avengers 5
Although Endgame will be difficult to top, there will eventually be a fifth Avengers movie following the team’s new line-up when they take on the next Thanos-sized threat.
Just as Infinity War successfully packed Doctor Strange and the Guardians of the Galaxy into the established world of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, Avengers 5 can feature Charlie Cox’s Daredevil, among others, in a supporting role.
Charlie Cox Should Return: He’s Marvel’s Very Own Batman
As a masked crimefighter who doesn’t have any superpowers and deals with street-level thugs, Daredevil is essentially Marvel’s answer to Batman, arguably DC’s most beloved character.
Ironically, Ben Affleck only took the role of Daredevil in the 2003 movie because he thought it was the closest he’d ever come to playing Batman. Little did he know, Zack Snyder would cast him as Batman himself over a decade later.
How It Could Happen: A Defenders Movie
Although The Defenders miniseries that teamed up all the Netflix Marvel heroes wasn’t as big of a hit as the darker version of The Avengers should’ve been, these characters — and specifically these on-screen incarnations of the characters — remain wildly popular among the fanbase.
Charlie Cox’s Daredevil could appear alongside Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones and Mike Colter’s Luke Cage in a Defenders movie, or a second Defenders miniseries.
Charlie Cox Should Return: His Netflix Show Has Unresolved Storylines
None of Marvel’s Netflix series got a clean break when they were all unexpectedly canceled. The writers hadn’t planned on the final season of each show being the final season. The third and unfortunately last season of Daredevil set up Bullseye’s origin story for a potential fourth season to make him a major villain.
This is just one of the show’s many unresolved storylines. The character arc of this incarnation of Matt Murdock is far from over.
How It Could Happen: Daredevil Season 4 On Disney+
The easiest way to bring back Cox’s Daredevil would simply be to continue his series on Disney+. The show ran for three great seasons on Netflix — why not just bring back the same cast and crew for a fourth season exclusive to Disney+?
The brutal violence of the series isn’t exactly in line with Disney's family-friendly corporate identity, but it’s been expanding its streaming platform to include darker, more graphic material lately with the “Star” section available in some territories.