Steve Manannan / March 5, 2025
After years of uncertainty, Daredevil is finally returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with Daredevil: Born Again, set to premiere with two episodes on Disney+ on March 4. The series is expected to function as a quasi-fourth season of the original Daredevil show that first aired on Netflix. Fan-favorite actors Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Jon Bernthal, and Wilson Bethel will all reprise their roles, bringing back the gritty, street-level storytelling that made the original series such a hit.
Since its cancellation in 2018, fans have been eagerly campaigning for Daredevil’s return, launching the widespread #SaveDaredevil movement in hopes of reviving the character. Their persistence paid off, as Marvel Studios and Disney finally took notice. With Born Again, audiences will see Matt Murdock back in action, and longtime fans are eager to discover how the series will reintroduce the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen into the larger universe.
Following the chaos he caused in Hawkeye and Echo, Kingpin returns to New York after a period of exile, now with his sights set on becoming mayor. Meanwhile, Matt Murdock has stepped away from his life as Daredevil, focusing solely on fighting for justice in the courtroom. However, it’s only a matter of time before their paths collide again— leading to a showdown that promises to be an entertaining clash between the two longtime rivals.
The title Born Again comes from a 1986 Daredevil comic arc written by the legendary Frank Miller, known for iconic works like The Dark Knight Returns, 300, Sin City, and Batman: Year One. Widely regarded as one of the most influential Daredevil stories ever told, many fans have long anticipated its adaptation. Current reports indicate that the first two seasons of the Disney+ series will carry the Born Again title, spanning 18 episodes and covering the entirety of this classic storyline.
To avoid major spoilers, the Born Again comic arc primarily revolves around the ongoing conflict between Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk, while also featuring key figures like Karen Page and Foggy Nelson. This storyline was partially adapted into season 3 of Netflix’s Daredevil. However, based on the recently released trailer, Born Again is set to introduce a more expansive cast of street-level Marvel characters, including The Punisher, Muse, White Tiger, Bullseye, and more. With so many familiar and new faces entering the mix, it’s clear that Marvel is laying the groundwork for something much bigger.
That brings us to Devil’s Reign, the culmination of Chip Zdarsky’s acclaimed Daredevil run. Spanning 36 solo issues before leading into a six-issue event series, Devil’s Reign centers on another high-stakes showdown between Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk. However, this time, the conflict extends beyond just Daredevil, pulling in major street-level heroes like Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, The Fantastic Four, Moon Knight, and Elektra. Given the direction Daredevil: Born Again seems to be taking, many fans speculate that the MCU is building toward a Devil’s Reign-style event—one that could unite its grounded heroes in an explosive crossover.
One of the biggest signs that Marvel Studios is setting up a Devil’s Reign-style event is Wilson Fisk’s rise to power as the Mayor of New York City in Daredevil: Born Again. In the comics, Devil’s Reign revolves around Fisk using his position as mayor to outlaw vigilantism, forcing New York’s street-level heroes into a direct and explosive conflict with him. Given that Born Again is introducing this major storyline, it’s likely paving the way for a similar showdown in the MCU.
While Born Again will undoubtedly draw inspiration from its comic namesake, it also seems poised to borrow heavily from Chip Zdarsky’s Daredevil run. While it won’t be a direct, panel-for-panel adaptation, I wouldn’t be surprised if key characters and elements from Zdarsky’s storyline make their way into the series, adding even more depth to Matt Murdock’s journey.
Set photos suggest that Jeremy Earl may be playing Cole North, a key character from Chip Zdarsky’s Daredevil run. In the comics, North is a detective who initially opposes vigilantes, making him a perfect fit for Fisk’s rumored Anti-Vigilante Task Force in Daredevil: Born Again. Given Marvel’s track record of carefully setting up major crossover events, it’s likely that Born Again season two and beyond will continue building toward something much bigger—potentially Devil’s Reign.
If Devil’s Reign were to be adapted into a larger MCU project, the most logical place for it would be a future Spider-Man film. While Spider-Man 4 seems likelier to wrap up the multiverse storyline, a potential Spider-Man 5 could be the perfect opportunity to tackle Fisk’s crackdown on New York’s heroes.
A Devil’s Reign-inspired Spider-Man movie would likely center on Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, Charlie Cox’s Daredevil, and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Wilson Fisk. With Mayor Fisk waging war on vigilantes, the film could escalate into a Civil War-style crossover by its second or third act, bringing in characters like The Punisher, Jessica Jones, Moon Knight, and Kate Bishop for an all-out battle against Fisk’s regime.
Mayor Fisk likely won’t be relying solely on his Anti-Vigilante Task Force to enforce his rule. In the comics, he deploys the Thunderbolts to hunt down New York’s heroes, but given the team’s current MCU storyline—where they’re being pursued by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) in the upcoming Thunderbolts movie—it’s unlikely they’ll be on Fisk’s side. However, other established Marvel characters could still align with him, making his influence even more dangerous.
Using Daredevil and Wilson Fisk as the central figures in a major MCU event is one of Marvel Studios’ smartest moves in recent years. Both characters have been fan favorites for over a decade, and their ongoing conflict provides the perfect foundation for a large-scale street-level saga. Daredevil: Born Again isn’t just bringing Matt Murdock back into the spotlight—it’s setting the stage for something much bigger, potentially giving the MCU’s street-level heroes a long- overdue shared narrative.