How the 2023 Hollywood Strikes Saved ‘Daredevil: Born Again’
One of the most consequential moments in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) was not depicted on screen but instead took place deep in Marvel headquarters.
I am, of course, talking about Kevin Feige’s decision to overhaul Daredevil: Born Again halfway through the show’s production.
As a quick recap, Daredevil: Born Again was initially announced at San Diego Comic-Conn in 2022. While Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio would reprise their roles as Daredevil and Kingpin, respectively, the expectation was that the series would reboot the franchise and have nothing to do with the original series.
Source: Marvel Studios
Instead of the dark and gritty Netflix Daredevil series, Born Again would be a lighter legal drama.
In a recent interview with GQ, Cox admitted that he and D’Onofrio were not necessarily sold on the idea.
Source: Marvel Studios
“Vincent and I were both not 100 percent convinced what we were doing at the time was the right path, but we’re both good soldiers and professionals, and we were trying to be open-minded,” he recalled.
Everything Changed During the Hollywood Strikes
When production on Daredevil: Born Again was shut down due to the Hollywood strikes of 2023, the show got a new lease on life.
“The writers’ strike happened, then the actors’ strike, which gave the producers an opportunity to look at our episodes and decide that it wasn’t quite working,” Cox remembered.
Source: Jesse Grant/ Getty Images
Then, the Daredevil star got a call from Marvel. Initially, Cox was worried that the studio was pulling the plug on the series. Instead of canceling the show, however, Marvel decided to overhaul it.
‘Born Again’ Reborn
Eventually, Marvel would replace showrunners Matt Corman and Chris Ord with Dario Scardapane. Additionally, the decision was made to tie Born Again into the original Daredevil show.
To that end, much of the original Daredevil cast and crew returned, including Elden Henson (Foggy Nelson) and Deborah Ann Woll (Karen Page).
Source: Marvel Studios
“We made it known that we were not happy. And the big bosses, especially Kevin [Feige], listened to us,” D’Onofrio told GQ.
Broader Implications
The decision to overhaul Daredevil: Born Again not only fundamentally changed the series but also had broader implications for the MCU. To tie Born Again into the original series, Marvel finally deemed the entire Netflix Defenders Saga canon.
Source: Marvel Studios
“The Best Thing That Happened”
Looking back, Cox believes that Daredevil: Born Again may have been saved by Hollywood strikes.
“In a bizarre twist of fate, the strikes that were so terrible for so many people in the industry ended up being the best thing that happened for our particular show,” he said.
Source: Marvel Studios
Daredevil: Born Again will premiere on March 4.
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