For years, the Marvel Television shows that premiered on Netflix – Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Punisher, and the team-up series The Defenders – existed in a curious space within the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. While often referencing events from the blockbuster films, a clear connection remained elusive, leaving fans to debate their official canon status. Now, with the arrival of Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+, and Charlie Cox’s full reintegration into the core MCU, the actor reflects on how those earlier series felt like something of an outsider looking in.
Speaking at the C2E2 convention in Chicago, Cox admitted that the Netflix shows operated with a sense of separation. “I experience like we felt a bit like a stepchild,” he said, describing a dynamic where they could allude to the wider MCU, but not directly name-drop its biggest heroes. Instead, they navigated around established characters, referring to “the big green guy” instead of the Hulk, or “the man with the iron hammer” rather than Iron Man. This careful dance underscored a perceived distance between the street-level heroes of Hell’s Kitchen and the cosmic scale of the Avengers.
The ambiguity wasn’t accidental, according to Wilson Bethel, who played Bullseye in Daredevil and The Defenders. Bethel recalled being told, “you will never cross over into that world from where you are,” essentially confining the Netflix series to its own corner of the Marvel universe. However, his recollection wasn’t universally shared. Both Cox and Krysten Ritter, who starred as Jessica Jones, indicated they hadn’t received the same directive, leading Bethel to jokingly lament, “It was just me? Fuck this!”
The uncertainty extended to moments that seemed to hint at a potential connection. Cox recounted an incident during the filming of The Defenders when Robert Downey Jr., the actor who famously portrays Iron Man, shared a mock-up Avengers poster on Twitter. The poster included the names of the Defenders cast, sparking speculation about a possible crossover. “We were like, ‘Does this mean something?’” Cox remembered, highlighting the confusion and hope that permeated the production. You can view the original tweet here.
The question of whether the Netflix shows were “canon” became a frequent topic of debate among fans, fueled by inconsistent statements from Marvel Studios. In 2019, Marvel’s Head of Television, Jeph Loeb, stated that the shows existed within the MCU timeline, but with a degree of separation. IGN reported on this statement at the time, noting the ambiguity surrounding potential crossovers. However, as Disney+ launched and Marvel Studios began developing its own slate of streaming series, the future of the Netflix characters remained unclear.
A Full Embrace with Daredevil: Born Again
That uncertainty has now been decisively resolved. Daredevil: Born Again, streaming on Disney+, marks a full integration of Charlie Cox’s Daredevil – and by extension, the wider street-level Marvel world – into the main MCU continuity. The series sees Cox reprise his role as Matt Murdock, now operating openly as a lawyer and vigilante in New York City. Vincent D’Onofrio also returns as Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin, further solidifying the connection to the Netflix era.
For Cox, this shift feels significant. “It felt like we’ve been adopted,” he said at C2E2, expressing a sense of belonging that was previously absent. The new series isn’t simply a continuation of the Netflix shows; it’s a reimagining that acknowledges and builds upon the established character arcs while seamlessly integrating them into the broader MCU narrative. This integration is evident in the present’s connections to other MCU properties, including references to events from Spider-Man: No Way Home and the wider fallout from the Blip.
The Impact of Canonization on Future MCU Storytelling
The official canonization of the Netflix Marvel shows has significant implications for the future of the MCU. It opens the door for other characters from those series – Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and the Punisher – to potentially reappear in future projects. While there are no immediate plans announced for their return, the possibility is now firmly on the table. This expanded roster of heroes adds depth and complexity to the MCU, offering new storytelling opportunities and a wider range of perspectives.
The inclusion of Daredevil and Kingpin also strengthens the MCU’s street-level crime drama elements, providing a counterpoint to the cosmic adventures that have dominated recent phases. This tonal shift could appeal to a broader audience and offer a more grounded and relatable perspective on the superhero genre. The success of Daredevil: Born Again will likely influence Marvel Studios’ approach to incorporating other previously marginalized characters and storylines into the MCU.
What’s Next for Daredevil and the MCU?
Daredevil: Born Again is currently streaming on Disney+, with new episodes released weekly. The series is expected to run for 18 episodes, setting the stage for a lengthy and complex storyline. Beyond Born Again, the future of Daredevil within the MCU remains open-ended. He is expected to appear in future MCU projects, potentially alongside other heroes like Spider-Man and the Avengers. The integration of the Netflix characters into the MCU represents a significant turning point for the franchise, offering a wealth of possibilities for future storytelling.
As the MCU continues to expand, the lessons learned from the Netflix era – the importance of character development, gritty realism, and compelling narratives – will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping its future. The journey from “stepchild” to fully-fledged member of the MCU family has been a long one for Daredevil and his allies, but it’s a journey that promises to deliver exciting new chapters in the Marvel saga.
What are your thoughts on Daredevil’s return to the MCU? Share your opinions and predictions in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this article with fellow Marvel fans!
Keep reading
