Daredevil’s Charlie Cox says he can’t imagine anyone else playing Jessica Jones and The Punisher aside from Krysten Ritter and Jon Bernthal, respectively, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Cox played Matt Murdock aka Daredevil in the eponymous series from 2015 to2018 as well as in The Defenders (2017). Long before the MCU made its way to Disney+, Marvel’s “Street-Level Heroes” defended the small screen on Netflix. As the quasi-Captain America of The Defenders universe, Daredevil led Jessica Jones, The Punisher, and Luke Cage as the best comic book adaptations available to stream.

Despite critical acclaim and campaigns à la #SaveDaredevil, Disney/Marvel Studios ended their relationship with Netflix/ABC and canceled The Defenders. With Netflix’s contract ending last year, fans have been left to wonder if, when, and how characters like Daredevil, Punisher, and Jessica Jones will be introduced to the MCU. As Phase 4 explores the multiverse and negates canonical issues, Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio have been at the center of this conversation with Matt Murdock and Kingpin rumored to appear in Spider-Man: No Way Home—a film already expected to feature Alfred Molina’s Doc Ok, Jaime Foxx’s Electro, and multiple Spider-Men. If the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen appears, why not Ritter or Bernthal down the line?

Related: If Daredevil Returns To The MCU, Jon Bernthal's Punisher Must As Well

During an interview with Forbes promoting AMC’s Kin, Cox was inevitably asked about No Way Home and any potential future with the MCU. Cox opted to answer with “no comment,” claiming ignorance and a desire to not jeopardize anything that may or may not happen in the future. The 38-year-old actor expressed his appreciation for the fandom and its desire to see him reprise his Marvel role before praising everyone’s work on Daredevil including Deborah Ann Woll and D’Onofrio. Cox went on to talk about the MCU potential of Bernthal’s Punisher—who debuted in Daredevil’s second season—and Ritter’s Jessica Jones. Read what he said below:

“I don't know what the rules are, the deal that Netflix made... Whatever I say it can be taken out of context and it could be a headline that could mean something, so I'm just a little careful with what I say now,” said Cox. “But, the only thing I'll say is I don't know who could do a better version of The Punisher than Jon Bernthal. And that character is beloved, people are crazy for Frank Castle. So if they're going to do it again, I hope they do it with him because I don't think it gets better than that...I feel the same way about Krysten Ritter. I know that Jessica Jones, the character isn't quite as well known as Frank Castle is, but what a performance. What a great show that was.”

Jon Bernthal's Punisher and Charlie Cox's Daredevil in a promo poster for season two

For her part, Ritter had an eager response to the question of an MCU return for Jessica Jones while Bernthal said he doesn’t think about Frank Castle that much, but isn’t necessarily opposed to the idea. One would assume if Marvel Studios (perhaps the biggest studio in the world) reaches out, neither one of them would say no. Regardless, the potential of either reprisal doesn’t feel as immediate as Cox as Murdock. Ever since the release of No Way Home’s first trailer, fans have theorized that the lawyer whose forearms appear near Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is Cox. However, Cox has so much as said “those are not my forearms” and the IMAX trailer has seemingly debunked this theory.

Spider-Man: Far From Home’s mid-credits scene saw Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) reveal Spider-Man’s secret identity and implicate him as a murderer. Suffice to say, Peter Parker is going to need a lawyer and, given Murdock’s vocation, location, and affinity for masked vigilantes, it would make sense for Cox’s character to help Peter clear his name. Cox’s MCU inclusion not only makes sense but opens the door for all of the so-called “Street-Level Heroes,” putting Daredevil in a similar position as Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool—who may lead the charge on the MCU’s implementation of the X-Men and Fantastic Four following the Disney-Fox merger. Deadpool 3 is already set to be Marvel Studios’ first R-rated film, which makes the return of TV-MA portrayals of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Punisher, and Luke Cage all the more likely.

More: Spider-Man: Daredevil's No Way Home Cameo Needs To Include Foggy & Karen

Source: Forbes

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