Vincent D’Onofrio will return to his iconic Kingpin role forDaredevil: Born Again.The series will pit him opposite Charlie Cox as Daredevil, after the two previously costarred for three seasons on Netflix’sDaredevil. Both characters have separately appeared within the MCU proper over the years. While Kingpin showed up inHawkeyeandEcho, Daredevil made appearances inSpider-Man: No Way HomeandShe-Hulk.As a result,Daredevilfans have long hoped for the MCU to continue their iconic rivalry.These dreams seemed to come true when a continuation was announced in 2022.
However,Daredevil: Born Again’sproduction was troubled, leading to Marvel Studios completely scrapping the original version of the show. A new writing and directing staff was brought in to overhaul the project. Perhapsthe most promising angle of the current direction forDaredevil: Born Againis Marvel bringing back fellow Netflix alumni Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, and Jon Bernthal.Incorporating elements of the previous series is the easiest way to gain trust from the audience of the original show. Per D’Onofrio, the final creative vision is as serious as the Netflix iteration, with violence that goes “much further.”
The Disney+ series, set to release in March of 2025, will follow up on Kingpin’s story in Echo, which concluded with him becoming inspired to run for mayor of New York City. Theofficial synopsis forDaredevil: Born Againreads: “Marvel Television’s “Daredevil: Born Again” catches up with Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer with heightened abilities, and his nemesis, Wilson Fisk, who’s pursuing his own political endeavors in New York.”
Wilson Fisk Is Running For NYC Mayor
Unsurprisingly,the idea of Kingpin running for mayor of NYC has its roots in the comics.On a platform aimed to restore order to the city by outlawing vigilantism, Wilson Fisk runs as an independent and with the help of some rigging, wins the election. He took advantage of rising anti-superhero sentiment both to obtain power and to act on his personal vendetta against Daredevil.
In a comic run culminating in the “Devil’s Reign” crossover event,Kingpin uses his position of power to suppress superheroes.Fisk creates an anti-vigilante task force, which is formed using members of the Thunderbolts and led by USAgent/John Walker. Additionally, he created legislation to fully outlaw them in the city and to give his task force jurisdiction to round up any offending vigilantes. Given Fisk’s run-ins with Daredevil, Hawkeye, and others in the MCU, it’s not a huge stretch to imagine he would take a similar course of action.
Kingpin Is Behind Thunderbolts*’s Asterisk In Wild MCU Theory
A new Thunderbolts* theory explains how Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin could be the reason for the film’s asterisk after his Daredevil: Born Again story.
The tease of Fisk’s mayoral ambitions at the end ofEchomake total sense.The degree of canonicity with the previousDaredevilseries has with the MCU is unknown, but the events of that series would be enough for him to hate Daredevil and by extension, vigilantes. However, if only considering his appearances in Marvel projects, Fisk both got beaten up by Kate Bishop and failed to lure his surrogate daughter back into his criminal enterprise. Kingpin’s got a score to settle with vigilantes, and within the MCU, he’s not the only one.
Kingpin’s Anti-Superhero Stance Would Fit Perfectly With The MCU
The Sokovia Accords Sought To Regulate Superhero Activity
As far as the MCU goes, one major force has rallied against superheroes such as the Avengers: Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross. Starting off as a decorated Army General, Ross worked on the failed attempt to recreate the super soldier serum that yielded both the Hulk and the Abomination. He then transitioned to politics, becoming Secretary of State. His key agenda in the role was to regulate the activities of super-powered vigilantes, which had wrought destruction in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Sokovia.Captain America: Civil Warsees Ross introducing the Sokovia Accords, aimed at regulating superheroes, namely The Avengers.
This legislation led to in-fighting among the Avengers. Iron Man’s faction supported the Accords, while Captain America’s faction found them restrictive. Unfortunately, the nuances of the comic storyline were largely lost in translation, as Cap’s side of the argument was overshadowed by his morally dubious defense of Bucky Barnes. Regardless, Ross' primary role in the conflict was enforcing the Accords, and the aftermath ofCivil War, saw him spearheading the hunt for those who sided with Captain America. His actions in dividing the Avengers indirectly led to their inability to prevent Thanos' snap. As a result, the Accords were repealed.
With a vocal opponent of super-powered vigilantes as President, Kingpin becoming the Mayor of New York City on an anti-hero platform makes sense.
Even so,the anti-vigilante sentiment espoused by Ross is likely still prevalent in the US as it exists in the MCU.In fact,Captain America: Brave New Worldis set to showcase Rossas the President of the United States. With a vocal opponent of super-powered vigilantes as President, Kingpin becoming the Mayor of New York City on an anti-hero platform makes sense.
The Sokovia Accords Are Gone, But Kingpin Can Continue That Story
The Accords May Be Gone, But The Anxiety Surrounding Heroes Isn’t
Interestingly,the repeal of the Sokovia Accords was revealed inShe-Hulk: Attorney At Lawwith Daredevil himself saying so.Despite the Accords' repeal, the U.S. Government and the United Nations will likely continue trying to regulate superpowered individuals in another way. Kingpin as the Mayor of New York, one of the primary cities in which heroes operate in the MCU is a natural extension of this conflict. Considering that he is a huge villain for not just Daredevil but also Spider-Man, giving Fisk this level of power could reshape the trajectory of the franchise.
Additionally,the team that Fisk uses to enforce his anti-vigilante ban is—as mentioned before—the Thunderbolts, which has ties to Ross in some comics. As they have their own feature film releasing next year, it’s unlikely that the team will be deployed to work for Kingpin. However, the connection between the team and Fisk could still come up at some point, especially with USAgent featuring heavily inThunderbolts*.
Utilizing the setup for Kingpin to become mayor of New York would be an interesting way to merge the world of Daredevil into the wider world of the MCU.Moreover, the conflict that an anti-vigilante act would cause for Daredevil is a compelling premise even without the broader implications.Daredevil: Born Againhas the potential to be equal parts entertaining for fans and important to the overall Marvel story.
Daredevil: Born Again
Cast
Daredevil: Born Again follows blind lawyer Matt Murdock, who uses his heightened abilities to pursue justice in New York. As he manages a bustling law firm, former mob boss Wilson Fisk navigates political ambitions, leading both men toward a confrontation as their pasts resurface.
