Charlie Cox, the acclaimed actor embodying Daredevil in the highly anticipated series Daredevil: Born Again, finds himself grappling with a daunting realization. While he eagerly embraces the opportunity to don the mantle of the Marvel hero once more in the forthcoming mega 18-episode MCU series, he also harbors deep concerns about its potential downfall. Cox fears that if this venture fails to meet sky-high expectations, it could spell the bitter end of his remarkable run as the iconic crime-fighting vigilante.
The unexpected inclusion of Matt Murdock in Spider-Man: No Way Home and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law seemed like a mere fantasy, a dream fulfilled for fervent fans. However, as Cox steps into the spotlight once more, he finds himself burdened with an immense weight, cognizant of the immense baggage that accompanies leading his own series. The abrupt cancellation of Daredevil on Netflix in 2019 left a sense of finality, suggesting that Cox’s time as the revered hero had been concluded once and for all.
Charlie Cox Feels His Career May Hit A Dead End If Daredevil: Born Again Fails
After a surprise cameo by Charlie Cox‘s Matt Murdock in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Spider-Man: No Way Home, Cox feels his career may hit a dead end if Daredevil: Born Again doesn’t “hit the spot”. In one episode of She-Hulk, Murdock was shown to be a funny and charismatic character, which is completely different than the dark and menacing Netflix version he portrayed earlier. Although he is excited about the upcoming Daredevil reboot, Cox’s excitement comes with a tone of caution.
Speaking to NME, he said:
“This has to be a reincarnation, it has to be different, otherwise why are we doing it? My opinion is this character works best when he’s geared towards a slightly more mature audience. My instinct is that on Disney+ it will be dark but it probably won’t be as gory. I would say to those people, we’ve done that. Let’s take the things that really worked, but can we broaden? Can we appeal to a slightly younger audience without losing what we’ve learned about what works? You said earlier that I could be busy for years, and I thought, ‘Yeah, maybe. Hopefully’,” he says. “But if this show next year doesn’t hit the spot, then that might be it. Then it’s back to…”
Cox ended his quote with a hint of doubt and uncertainty that his career may be done if the show fails to score a hit the audience.
Daredevil: Born Again Will Be MCU’s Longest Series Till Now
Marvel is displaying an unprecedented level of confidence in Daredevil: Born Again, granting it a staggering 18 episodes, a count unheard of in the realm of streaming shows. While other Marvel series on Disney+ have been limited to no more than nine episodes, this extended commitment raises intriguing questions. Actor Charlie Cox, who portrays the iconic character, is intrigued by this decision and wonders about the underlying motives. Speculating on the possibilities, he envisions a return to the roots of the old-school procedural format, delving deep into the life of Matt Murdock, the lawyer.
The prospect of immersing viewers in Murdock’s daily existence, witnessing his legal battles and experiencing the nitty-gritty aspects, holds a distinct allure. Cox believes that by diligently exploring the superhero’s ordinary life, the moments when he dons his iconic suit will carry significant weight and meaning.
Nevertheless, Daredevil: Born Again is just one piece of the puzzle. Matt Murdock is expected to appear in the Hawkeye spin-off series, Echo, and there are even rumors of his involvement in future Spider-Man films. With such a heavy reliance on the success of Daredevil: Born Again, the stakes appear astronomical.
Read More: Charlie Cox’s Daredevil Reportedly Only Appears Once in Upcoming Marvel Series
However, as proven by past instances like Thor: Love and Thunder, even popular characters can stumble in their execution, making success anything but guaranteed.
Daredevil: Born Again will premiere on Disney+ in 2024.
Source: NME
