After the upcoming release ofDaredevil: Born Again, I know which Marvel storyline would be perfect to make Stan Lee’s dreamMCUmovie a reality. Since Marvel Studios integrated Netflix’s Defenders Saga into the MCU’s official timeline in early 2024,Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock, a.k.a. blind lawyer-come-vigilante Daredevil, has technically been in the MCU for a full decade. Cox debuted as the Man Without Fear in 2015’sDaredevilseries, and is set to make his triumphant return in 2025’sDaredevil: Born Again, but I reckon bigger things may be on the horizon for Matt Murdock.
I have loved seeing Charlie Cox’s brief appearances in recent MCU projects, gearing him up for a full-on return as the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen in 2025.Matt Murdock has established himself as a core part of the MCU with appearances inSpider-Man: No Way Home, She-Hulk: Attorney at LawandEcho, and I thinkDaredevil: Born Againis going to make him even more important. This makes me think thatMarvel legend Stan Lee’s decade-old commentsabout a newDaredevilmovie could come to fruition, and I know which story would be perfect.
Stan Lee Wanted A New Daredevil Movie 10 Years Ago
Stan Lee Wasn’t Happy With Ben Affleck’s Daredevil Movie
Back in 2015,Business Insiderspoke to Stan Lee and questioned the Marvel Universe creator about which character he’d want to see depicted on the big-screen. Lee referred to2003’s disappointingDaredevilmovie, which starred Ben Affleck in the titular role, noting that he wasn’t portrayed"the right way,“but stressed thathe believed that, sooner or later,“there will be another Daredevil movie,“predicting that"it will do very well.“Ten years later, there hasn’t yet been a newDaredevilfeature film, but I could definitely see Charlie Cox’s Man Without Fear leading his own MCU movie.
Daredevil didn’t do as well as everybody hoped. I think that, unfortunately, they didn’t portray him the right way. Sooner or later there will be another Daredevil movie. And I think it will do very well.
Business Insiderpublished these comments on June 14, 2025, only a few weeks after theDaredevilseries' premiere on Netflixon April 10. Marvel Television’sDaredevilbecame an instant hit, and its success continued throughout the Defenders Saga, so I’m thrilled that this corner of the MCU is now officially being addressed more directly.Daredevilseemed to imply that Matt Murdock works better on the small-screen, but I think I’ve worked out the perfect story for a feature film adventure for the Man Without Fear, and Marvel is already setting it up inDaredevil: Born Again.
I Think Daredevil: Born Again Is Setting Up The Perfect Daredevil Movie For The MCU
Daredevil: Born Again Premieres On Disney+ On March 4
The first trailer forDaredevil: Born Againhas confirmed that Vincent D’Onofrio’s Wilson Fisk will be running for the position of Mayor of New York City.Kingpin was elected as New York’s Mayorin 2018’sDaredevil #595in Marvel Comics after entering as a last-minute candidate and building his platform on promises to declare all vigilantes as criminals. In live-action,Daredevil has always been on Kingpin’s heels, so becoming Mayor would be a surefire way for Fisk to finally take down his adversary, and this makes me think bigger stories are also being set up.
In Marvel Comics, Mayor Fisk caused some inconveniences to New York’s heroes, but waged full-on war against them in 2021-22’sDevil’s Reignevent. I reckon that,by establishing Wilson Fisk’s ambition to become Mayor of New York inEchoandDaredevil: Born Again, Marvel Studios is setting upDevil’s Reign, which could see Kingpin outlaw vigilantism in the city. While I doubt thatBorn Againwill explore theDevil’s Reignstorylineon Disney+, I think this would be the perfect story to adapt to bring Stan Lee’s dreamDaredevilmovie to life.
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I’m very excited to seeCharlie Cox back in action inDaredevil: Born Again, but I really hope Marvel Studios avoids cramming the epicDevil’s Reignstoryline into a nine-episode Disney+ series. I thinkDevil’s Reignis an event that begs to be on the big-screen.Devil’s Reignsaw Mayor Wilson Fisk exact his plans to outlaw vigilantism in New York, which had a huge impact on all the city’s heroes, including the likes of Daredevil, the Fantastic Four, Luke Cage, Captain America, Spider-Man, the X-Men and many more.
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The scope of theDevil’s Reignstoryline makes me think it would only work as a feature film, as this huge number of characters might not fit within a short Disney+ series' runtime.We’ve already seen the consequences of Marvel adapting a massive comic story as a Disney+ series, and Marvel would surely want to avoid repeatingSecret Invasion’smistakes. AdaptingDevil’s Reignas a movie could really do the event justice, particularly since Wilson Fisk may have been Mayor of New York for some time beforeDevil’s Reign truly begins.
2007’sSecret Invasionevent saw most of Marvel Comics' heroes come together to fight a violent wave of Skrull invaders on Earth. Marvel Studios stripped this story back for the MCU, with Nick Fury taking on a quiet revolution, but this contributed to the show’s low ratings and poor fan response, with many believingSecret Invasionwould have been better on the big-screen.
In Marvel Comics, Mayor Fisk employs Thunderbolts units to enforce his new laws, so I’d love to see an adaptation ofDevil’s Reignrelease after2025’sThunderbolts*movie. More characters also need to be introduced (or reintroduced) to the MCU to pull this story off, including the likes of the Fantastic Four, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones and the X-Men, among others.Devil’s Reignmight be the biggest storyline Marvel could adapt to bring Stan Lee’s dreamDaredevilmovie to life, and the fact that the foundations are already being laid is very exciting.
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If Marvel Studios does takeDevil’s Reignset up slowly, teasing it throughoutDaredevil: Born Againbefore bringing it to life on the big-screen, this could be seriously game-changing for the MCU.Wilson Fisk has already been billed as the Thanos of the MCU’s street-level stories, and adapting this story would be his version ofInfinity WarandEndgame. Fisk’s actions as Mayor of New York would impact most of the heroes in the MCU, branding many criminals, elevating some villains to Thunderbolts and possibly even ending withLuke Cage becoming Mayor, as he does in Marvel Comics.
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Since returning to the MCU inSpider-Man: No Way Homeand having his previous adventures in the Defender Saga made canon,Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock has become one of Marvel’s most important heroes. Having Cox lead a feature film adaptation ofDevil’s Reignwould only make this even more prevalent. I could see him becoming a steadfast member of the Avengers,reforming the Defendersor even becoming a darker antihero after this storyline. Stan Lee wanted a newDaredevilmovie ten years ago, and I reckonDaredevil: Born Againis the perfect stepping stone to making this dream a reality.
Daredevil: Born Again
Cast
Daredevil: Born Again follows blind lawyer Matt Murdock, who uses his heightened abilities to pursue justice in New York. As he manages a bustling law firm, former mob boss Wilson Fisk navigates political ambitions, leading both men toward a confrontation as their pasts resurface.
