Will Marvel Netflix Actors Return In The MCU? What We Know & What's Been Said

In March 2022, the entire MCU roster previously on Netflix moved over to rival streamer Disney+ begging the question, will the actors come with them and make the switch to Marvel Cinematic Universe canon? While the Marvel Netflix shows that began with Daredevil in 2015 were all considered to be very loosely connected to the wider MCU projects fans saw on the big screen, it is no secret that Kevin Feige and the folks at Marvel Studios have all but ignored the Netflix-verse. During this time, the Netflix universe only continued to expand, leading to further shows such as Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, The Punisher, and Netflix's very own Avengers-esque crossover event, The Defenders.

As mentioned previously, these shows featured very loose references to wider MCU events. Most notably, the events of The Avengers and the Chitauri attack on New York are mentioned in almost all of the Netflix shows, often referred to as simply "the incident." While there are sparing mentions of Captain America or Tony Stark by name, the references are often kept to passing comments so as to not take away from the story at hand. On the other hand, the core movies of the MCU don't reference any of the street-level heroes of Netflix at all, save for very recently.

With the appearances of Charlie Cox as Daredevil in Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Vincent D'onofrio as Kingpin in the Disney+ show Hawkeye, both characters from Netflix's Daredevil and their actors left fans reeling from the potentiality of such cameos and what it means for the Netflix pocket of the MCU as a whole. Following these appearances, it was revealed that the entire Marvel catalog on Netflix would make the switch to Disney+ in March 2022. Given the cancellation of all the Netflix productions in 2018 and 2019, speculation then began as to whether these characters and the actors that play them will be picked up by Marvel Studios. This speculation led to lots of comments on the situation by some of the actors and even the President of Marvel Studios himself. While there is a lot of information on the topic out there, here is everything to know and everything that has been said when concerning each corner of the Netflix MCU.

Daredevil (Charlie Cox & Vincent D'onofrio)

Charlie Cox and Vincent Donofrio as Daredevil and Kingpin

Daredevil's situation is most definitely the easiest to deduce given the events of the MCU recently. As mentioned, the two major stars of Netflix's Daredevil have appeared in MCU canon in recent months, Charlie Cox as the titular character and Vincent D'onofrio as his arch-enemy Kingpin/Wilson Fisk, albeit in different projects. Cox appeared as a bit-part cameo in Spider-Man: No Way Home, with D'onofrio having more of a villainous role in Disney+'s Hawkeye. Obviously, with both actors returning to roles that started on Netflix, both were willing to come back with Marvel Studios and have been very vocal about their roles since both projects' release. Cox has recently said in an interview (via RadioTimes) that plans are already in motion for Matt Murdock/Daredevil to appear in the MCU once more, though he's not entirely sure where his character will be popping up, stating "I know something. I don't know much, but I know there will be something else."

As for D'onofrio, fans might find his comments after the Hawkeye season finale the most exciting. With a lot of talk from fans about whether these appearances make the Netflix show stories canon, as opposed to just the characters and actors crossing over to Marvel Studios, D'onofrio seemed to confirm the former. In an interview (via GamesRadar), D'onofrio said that the folks at Marvel were striving to keep the events of Daredevil canon within the wider MCU, claiming, "They’re trying their best to keep Daredevil as part of the canon. Hawkeye is part of the canon of what we did at Daredevil." However, whether this is the case or not, it is at the very least clear that both Cox and D'onofrio are here to stay, portraying two of the most beloved characters in recent superhero television.

Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter)

Jessica Jones sitting down on a subway car in Jessica Jones

Other characters outside of Daredevil are where things get a little tricky in terms of role reprisals. Jessica Jones, for instance, played by Krysten Ritter, was the second Marvel Netflix show on its roster, with the first season releasing the same year as Daredevil season one. So far, only Charlie Cox and Vincent D'onofrio have officially appeared in Marvel Studios projects, leaving it up in the air as to whether the actors of the other roles will do the same, Ritter included. However, much like the fan speculation aimed at the actors from Daredevil, the same can be said for Krysten Ritter. When asked about her return as the titular character, Ritter stated that she would love to return as Jessica Jones, which is pleasing to hear given how the MCU could benefit from a character like Jessica. Here is exactly what Ritter said in an exclusive Screen Rant interview:

"I would absolutely just die to play Jessica again. I had the best time doing it and I just love her so much... So if there's ever an opportunity for me to put on those boots, I will be there in a flash."

All that can be done now is for fans to wait and see if Ritter will join her Netflix coworkers and make the jump from Netflix to Marvel Studios canon. However, with Marvel Studios officially retaining the rights to use the Netflix characters in November 2021, as evident by both Daredevil character appearances coming in December 2021, it is now entirely possible for Kristen Ritter to return as Alias Investigation's Jessica Jones.

The Punisher (Jon Bernthal)

Jon Bernthal as Frank Castlestanding in the shadows in The Punisher

The Punisher aired for two seasons on Netflix as a spinoff from Daredevil. The titular role of Frank Castle/The Punisher was played by none other than Jon Bernthal, a fan-favorite casting ever since his appearance in Daredevil season two. Bernthal's situation is more akin to Krysten Ritter's in terms of coming back to play the character of Frank Castle in a Marvel Studios project. Much like the other characters, Marvel retained the rights to use Castle in any Marvel Studios property after November 2021 should they see fit.

While The Punisher isn't rumored to appear in any upcoming MCU projects, Jon Bernthal has had his say on his return to the character. Rather than being openly eager about his return to the role like fans of the MCU very much are, Bernthal simply stated his gratitude at being able to work in his profession and almost brushing off any questions about his return as Frank Castle. Here is exactly what Bernthal had to say when asked about a potential return in an exclusive interview with Screen Rant:

“You know, we'll see, I mean, honestly, I don't think about it very much. I'm really happy -- look, we're all enormously blessed to be doing this. I can say for the other guys that you're talking to as well, we really love this... So, whatever else comes, you know, kind of down the road, comes. But, this is something that's really worth celebrating.”

It's clear from these comments that Bernthal isn't quite as enthusiastic as some of the other Marvel Netflix stars to be potentially returning to his role. It also doesn't seem like Bernthal is against a return with his comments about something down the road coming along, though it's evident Bernthal is focused on other roles at the moment.

Luke Cage & Iron Fist (Mike Colter & Finn Jones)

Both Luke Cage and Iron Fist are arguably the characters least hyped up to return to their roles, with fans often placing both shows lower on the quality spectrum compared to the other Netflix series. When concerning Netflix MCU shows, it is often Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and The Punisher that receive the most praise. However, with Luke Cage played by Mike Colter and Iron Fist played by Finn Jones, Marvel could have their most unique story from the Netflix shows. Both shows often tended to portray their titular heroes as going hand-in-hand, heavily leaning into the famous comic pairing between the two, Heroes for Hire.

Oftentimes, when fans speak of Colter or Jones reprising these roles in the MCU, or even when both shows were still on Netflix, a mention of a potential team-up show like Heroes for Hire isn't far behind. Again, like both Ritter and Bernthal, Colter and Jones could theoretically return to their roles with Marvel Studios now being legally allowed to use these characters again. But unlike the other Netflix stars, Colter and Jones, the latter specifically, have been more tight-lipped on the subject. Only Colter has made comments in recent times about reprising the role, with the actor sharing (via Coming Soon): “If something happens, I’d love to have a conversation with them. But for now, I’m not holding my breath, I’m happy either way, it was a good run.” These comments won't exactly give fans high hopes on a return for Colter, nor the lack of comments from Finn Jones about a return to Iron Fist. However, with the Marvel Netflix shows moving to Disney+, a slight glimmer of hope remains.

Fans across the world have worried that the Netflix heroes leaving the service meant they would lose the tiny shred of hope that remained as to whether these characters and their actors would transfer to official MCU canon. However, with Disney officially announcing the acquisition of the Netflix shows for Disney+ as opposed to the feared move to Hulu, fans began to hope again that these heroes would, in fact, become an important part of the MCU once again. This hope was only bolstered by appearances from Daredevil in Marvel Studios properties towards the end of 2021. With much speculation from fans coinciding with comments from the actors themselves, it still remains to be seen what will happen with the majority of actors from the Netflix MCU shows. However, if Marvel Studios have proven anything over the years, it's that they care about what the fans think, and if the outpouring of love for the actors and their roles is anything to go by, it is safe to say fans might not be in the dark about these actors futures in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for much longer.

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