It has been confirmed that Charlie Cox will be returning to the MCU as Matt Murdock/Daredevil in Echo before a potential Daredevil season 4. There are many reasons why Cox will be appearing in this show first, instead of continuing the story left off with Netflix's Daredevil. These reasons stem from the connections between Daredevil and Echo in Marvel Comics, as well as the links set up between the two characters in the MCU series Hawkeye.
While focused primarily on Clint Barton and the passing of the titular mantle to Kate Bishop, Hawkeye also introduced the deaf superhero character Maya Lopez/Echo to the MCU, played by Alaqua Cox. While the character didn't truly become the Echo known from the comics in Hawkeye, the groundwork was set up for what is sure to be her transition into Echo in her own Disney+ series.
The bulk of Maya's journey in Hawkeye surrounded her adoptive father, Wilson Fisk/Kingpin. This is where the connection to Daredevil lies, given the intense rivalry between Kingpin and Daredevil exhibited in both Netflix's Daredevil and Marvel Comics. With Maya being so closely connected to Kingpin, it makes sense that she and Matt Murdock would cross paths within the context of the MCU, should Daredevil be confirmed as canon. However, outside of their MCU connections, Marvel's original comic stories provide even greater reasons as to why Charlie Cox's appearance as Matt Murdock in Echo makes sense before a potential Daredevil season 4.
Daredevil's History With Echo In Marvel Comics
While Hawkeye re-introduced Daredevil's Kingpin as an integral part of Echo's origin story, as is the case in the comics, the show left out the parts involving Matt Murdock. These parts will likely be explored in the Echo show, hence Charlie Cox's inclusion. Matt Murdock was intrinsic to Echo's comics origin, given how Echo was introduced in a Daredevil run.
Their first interaction came when Kingpin sent Maya to find Daredevil's weakness by forcing a meeting between her and Matt Murdock, yet she wasn't aware he and Daredevil were one and the same. Upon meeting, the two quickly fell in love. However, Maya was also tricked by Kingpin into hating Daredevil by saying he had killed Maya's father, fueling her need to find his weakness. After doing so, Echo quickly defeated Daredevil and nearly killed him, at which point Daredevil revealed his secret identity. He then exposed Kingpin's lies, revealing that he killed Echo's father. She then shot Kingpin in the face, temporarily blinding him.
This storyline was adapted in Hawkeye with Clint Barton taking the Matt Murdock role, albeit without the relationship aspect. In Hawkeye, Clint is hired to kill Maya's father during his days as Ronin on the orders of Kingpin. The show ends with Maya discovering this and seemingly shooting Kingpin in the face, similar to the comics.
Will Charlie Cox Play Daredevil In Echo (Or Just Matt Murdock)?
With the return of Charlie Cox in Echo, the question remains whether he will simply play Matt Murdock, as with Spider-Man cameo, or don the Daredevil suit once again. Given the fact that Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin is also expected to return, it is safe to assume that Cox will be playing both sides of the character's personality. Should Daredevil be revealed to be officially part of the MCU, Matt Murdock and Kingpin's complicated history will be canon. With Kingpin likely still alive in the MCU after Maya shot him, as with the comics, it is expected for the two to reunite at some point in Echo. If the show also includes Matt's romantic relationship with Maya, it would make sense for him to also find out about Kingpin and bring out the Daredevil suit once more to stop his nemesis.
Charlie Cox's Future: Daredevil Season 4 Or MCU Reboot?
The frustrating lack of confirmation from Marvel Studios on Daredevil's MCU canon status leads many to wonder how his future in the MCU will be presented. Given how Daredevil was prematurely canceled despite the many ways it was left open for a fourth season, viewers of that show would like to see its story continued in the MCU with Charlie Cox. However, as it is still in doubt whether that story already happened within the MCU, a soft reboot of sorts is also possible. Despite actors like Vincent D'Onofrio stating that the Netflix shows are in fact canon, Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige has still declined to confirm whether or not this is the case. If it is true, then it is highly likely that the rumored Disney+ show for Daredevil will be a continuation of Netflix's story — a season 4 of sorts.
However, if Marvel Studios opts to rewrite Daredevil and Kingpin's stories and history with each other for the MCU to fit in with Echo, it is likely that Daredevil and Charlie Cox's solo venture in the MCU will be a reboot. Regardless, it is extremely exciting to have such an exciting character in Matt Murdock, and exceptional actor Charlie Cox in the role, back in any capacity, with Echo being the next appearance for the fan-favorite Devil of Hell's Kitchen.
