Bringing Back the Devil from Hell’s Kitchen
Matthew Murdock, popularly known as Daredevil, has made significant splashes on the big screen, particularly with his recent appearances in “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “She-Hulk.” But it’s his return to the small screen that’s been most awaited by fans. Marvel Disney+ series, “Daredevil: Born Again,” stands as the franchise’s lengthiest TV outing with an impressive 18 episodes. And while fans eagerly wait for its premiere, whispers in the industry suggest that plans for its sophomore season are already in motion.
“Marvel plans to keep some scenes and episodes, though other serialized elements will be injected, with Corman and Ord becoming executive producers on the two-season series.”
A Journey of Ups and Downs
Marvel’s “Daredevil: Born Again” was met with much fanfare when it was officially revealed during the Marvel Studios’ 2022 San Diego Comic-Con Hall H panel. With its initial release slated for Spring 2024, the series was unexpectedly pulled from the release schedule, facing anticipated delays from both Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes. However, insiders suggest the challenges ran deeper.
Recent revelations indicate head writers Chris Ord and Matt Corman faced the axe late September, and the directors helming the series’ latter half were also replaced, despite completing a substantial portion of the shoot.
“The creative revamp came after Marvel executives decided that the series wasn’t working.”
Feige and his crew now face the herculean task of making sense of the already filmed material, all while searching for fresh writing talent.
Navigating the Legacy of Netflix’s Daredevil
The stakes are high for “Daredevil: Born Again”, not merely because of Marvel’s consistent track record but due to the acclaim the Daredevil character garnered on Netflix. Recognizing early that the series wasn’t aligning with their vision, Marvel’s decision to pivot is a testament to their commitment to quality. But this move also raises questions about the ongoing challenges within Marvel’s TV division. With a few exceptions like “Loki,” many of the recent Disney+ Marvel series have been met with mixed reactions.
Looking Ahead
While the road has been rocky for “Daredevil: Born Again,” it’s evident that Marvel Studios is committed to delivering a product that lives up to fans’ expectations. The focus now is ensuring this series, and future small-screen projects, smoothly navigate their production phases without major hitches.
