Credit: Emmanuel DetresIt’s out with the new and in with the old.
Related: ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Leaks, Everything We Know So Far
At the forefront of broadening the superhero narrative on Earth stand Tom Holland’s Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock/Daredevil, who are now recognized as Marvel’s leaders for street-level operations. Marvel Studios faces the challenge of reintegrating the Man of Fear into the current MCU audience, considering the character’s absence following the conclusion of the Netflix Marvel Daredevil (2015) series, which ceased in 2018 following the announcement of Disney+ (Disney Plus).
After Kevin Feige announced that Daredevil: Born Again would act as a soft reboot for the series, fans expressed worries about significant casting changes, raising questions about the revived show’s direction. The unexpected recasting choices, such as Sandrine Holt taking over from Ayelet Zurer as Vanessa Fisk, and the notable absence of Matt Murdock’s close allies and legal companions Karen Page (played by Deborah Ann Woll) and Foggy Nelson (played by Elden Henson), caused concern among Marvel enthusiasts.
The growing unease among fans, coupled with Marvel Studios’ recent less-than-stellar reception, likely led Feige to scrap the initial half-season’s content altogether. This move involved removing all writers and creatives associated with the project and opting instead to assemble an entirely new creative team.
Related: Disney Reimagines Major Marvel Villain: First Look
Marvel’s New Refresh
Yet another Daredevil set leak shows Disney and Marvel are changing their tune.
It appears that they have finally listened to fans and gotten rid of Daredevil’s much-disliked yellow suit from She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022). Instead, it seems as if Marvel creatives are caving to the hate and bringing the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen back into the fan-favorite red suit — albeit in a different style.
Known Hollywood insider, Can We Get Some Toast shares via JustJared:
First look at the new Daredevil suit in ‘DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN’. (Via: JustJared)
First look at the new Daredevil suit in ‘DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN’.
(Via: JustJared) pic.twitter.com/LbMnLwqxvT
— CanWeGetSomeToast (@CanWeGetToast) February 6, 2024
It seems that fans are mostly happy with this change, with users like Marvelous Gamer saying they “absolutely love” this new all-red suit — with one small caveat:
I absolutely love this suit, but my biggest and only gripe is that the Ds are on his belt and not his chest 😭
I absolutely love this suit, but my biggest and only gripe is that the Ds are on his belt and not his chest 😭
— Marvelous Gamer (@Mar_DC767620022) February 6, 2024
@vigesuhdude shares the Marvel Comics’ version of Daredevil’s suit — with brown accents and a big “DD” emblazoned across his chest, and has their fingers crossed for the brown suit elements to make an appearance in the final Born Again show:
I hope we get the brown accents at some point
I hope we get the brown accents at some point pic.twitter.com/oBqI8hzs8Q
— vigesuhdude (@vigesuhdude) February 6, 2024
Meanwhile, users like @LoreEvil are praising the “MCU-ified design” regardless:
It’s a decent MCU-ified redesign that I’m sure they’ll alter quite a bit in post to smooth out the rough patches (it’s Marvel after all), but I am gonna miss the Netflix suit for the nostalgia of it being “the suit” for so many years. I’m glad this keeps some elements from that.
It’s a decent MCU-ified redesign that I’m sure they’ll alter quite a bit in post to smooth out the rough patches (it’s Marvel after all), but I am gonna miss the Netflix suit for the nostalgia of it being “the suit” for so many years. I’m glad this keeps some elements from that.
— Resident Evil Lore (@LoreEvil) February 6, 2024
Despite the excitement, some fans are still bemoaning the suit’s lack of iconic comic book-accurate “DD” Daredevil logo from the Marvel Comics canon:
Where’s the “DD” logo? 💀💀💀
Where’s the “DD” logo? 💀💀💀
— Flame 🔥 (@Ultimate4fan2) February 6, 2024
Overall, it appears as if fans are quick to praise the MCU’s new approach to a familiar Netflix character. Of course, fans of the original comics would want to see some nods to the iconic styling — but as is, this is a clear sign from Disney, and the Marvel powers-that-be that appealing to fans is once again a top priority with their new Disney+ (Disney Pluus) Marvel television show.
Several other steps have been taken to bring the new Daredevil: Born Again closer to being a “Season 4” rather than that previously promised “soft reboot” of Marvel’s iconic New York City Defender.
It’s not just the return of Jon Bernthal’s Punisher/Frank Castle or Vincent D’Onofrio’s terrifying Wilson Fisk/Kingpin. Disney is set to decrease the episode count, likely to around 13 episodes instead of the original 18, aligning more closely with the format of the original Netflix series.
On top of that, Matt Murdock’s best friends and fellow law firm colleagues Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) and Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson) have been spotted filming their big MCU comeback.
While only time will reveal if Feige and the new writing team opt to remain faithful to the essence of the original Daredevil series, current indications strongly suggest that this is precisely Marvel’s intention. Getting loyal Marvel fans back on their side seems to be something the superhero giant simply cannot afford not to do at this point.
What do you think of the new Daredevil suit? Are Marvel heading in the right direction? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!