DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN - 4 Netflix Characters Who Should Be Canon (And 3 We'd Rather Marvel Studios Forgets)

DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN - 4 Netflix Characters Who Should Be Canon (And 3 We'd Rather Marvel Studios Forgets)

With Netflix's Marvel TV shows now confirmed to be canon in the MCU, we're taking a look at some of the characters we'd like to see make their presence felt on Earth-616 and a few others best forgotten.

Feature Opinion
By JoshWilding - Jan 07, 2024 03:01 PM EST
Filed Under: Daredevil

It was recently revealed that Marvel Television's Netflix shows may be canon to the MCU after all. Daredevil has already appeared in Spider-Man: No Way Home and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, while The Kingpin has been seen in Hawkeye and will next make his presence felt in Echo (alongside the Man Without Fear).

It's been apparent for a while now that Kevin Feige is looking to make use of at least some Defenders, and while those we've already seen have been played by the same actors, that's unlikely to be the case for everyone. Marvel Studios being beholden to continuity they had nothing to do with makes little sense, and Vanessa Fisk's recasting has already proven this to be the case. 

Daredevil: Born Again is on the horizon and we expect to see plenty of familiar faces there. Beyond that, something tells us a hero like Iron Fist, for example, will also eventually return...albeit with a new face! 

With that in mind, now seems like a good time to dive into the heroes and villains who should be a top priority for the MCU, along with a few whom we have very little interest in seeing grace the big or small screen. 

We're starting with the characters we want to see more of before moving on to those we don't. To take a look through this feature, all you need to do is click the "Next" button below.
 

7. Elektra

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Elodie Yung exceeded expectations as Elektra, even amid poor storytelling and inconsistent writing. The actress gave the assassin the mysterious, exotic vibe that the version played by Jennifer Garner was sorely lacking, and it finally felt like we had a truly badass take on this anti-hero...until she was killed off in one of the most underwhelming nods to the comic books we can remember.

Later returning as part of The Hand, the door was left open to us seeing more Elektra down the line, though we'd prefer if the MCU forgot pretty much everything that's happened in the past.

The concept of this character being tied to that clandestine group of ninjas is played out in the comic books and something this series covered (in far too much depth). Moving forward, why not follow recent comics by having Elektra suit up as a female Daredevil? That's certainly one option, and with the right story, we know this character could hold her own in a spin-off.
 

6. Ben Urich

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While Ben Urich's death may have shocked audiences in this series, it was also a tremendous waste of a character who has been a huge part of the Daredevil mythos over the years. 

By killing this intrepid reporter, Marvel Television robbed us of the chance to see his unique dynamic with the Man Without Fear explored in detail; don't forget, it was Ben who figured out that Matt Murdock was secretly Daredevil, choosing not to publish that story in fear of outing one of the only heroes in New York City fighting to save Hell's Kitchen. So, how do you bring him back from the dead?

Well, it's simple. This moment in the Netflix series just needs to be ignored; when 'ol Hornhead returns in the MCU, just have Ben there already part of his world. As he's now 73, we probably wouldn't bring Vondie Curtis-Hall back. However, it would be good to see a Black actor cast in the role again and we'd take a recast over those rumours Ben's daughter will take his place on Earth-616. 
 

5. Foggy Nelson

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You can't have Daredevil without Foggy Nelson. Elden Henson did a great job playing Matt Murdock's best friend, particularly when it came to portraying the hurt he felt upon learning that his buddy moonlights as a masked vigilante. Unfortunately, things did go downhill from there, with Foggy becoming less supportive and more of a whiner before ultimately parting ways with Matt to work for a huge law firm.

That was majorly out of character, and while we appreciated seeing Foggy receive his own agency, he's someone who should be by Matt's side as a friend, fellow lawyer, and source of inspiration (which he mostly was at the end of season 3).

By now, we're sure you're aware of rumours that Foggy is killed at the start of Daredevil: Born Again, prompting Matt to give up his mission. The response to that news has been overwhelmingly negative, so we can only hope Marvel Studios intends to right the ship and keep him around. If so, let's explore the fun side of this dynamic in the same vein as the Waid/Chris Samnee run of Daredevil.
 

4. Bullseye

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Bullseye is one of Daredevil's greatest enemies, and that third season did a solid enough job of exploring Benjamin Poindexter's origin story. We'd argue it was too long-winded, but at least by the time the show ended, the stage had been set for this former FBI agent to suit up as Bullseye. 

It's hard to say how the character should be handled in the MCU. On the one hand, we'd very much like to see Wilson Bethel show up as a fully formed Bullseye (costume and all) who is taking aim at Daredevil at The Kingpin's behest. An argument could be made for a recast, but a third actor playing this character on screen would undo much of Bethel's impressive work. 

With 18 episodes to play with, it would be beyond baffling for Bullseye - Daredevil's greatest foe outside of Wilson Fisk - to be left on the shelf. This clash needs to happen on screen, even if it's only in a single episode. 

So, about the characters and actors we DON'T want to see...
 

3. Karen Page

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Perhaps the most poorly written character in Daredevil across its three-season run, Karen Page is not someone we're anxious to spend more time with in the MCU, unfortunately. That's not to say Deborah Ann Woll's work was in any way bad; the problem was that the show's writers constantly forced Karen into any and every situation just to give her something to do. 

Somehow, she went from attempted murder victim to legal secretary to murderer to New York's best reporter, and while we could have bought into all of this with stronger storytelling, this show just dropped the ball. It was because of that Karen became something of a drag to spend time with, and as we move into a fresh era for the Man Without Fear, a new love interest feels like a much better idea.

Kirsten McDuffie, Milla Donovan, and Typhoid Mary are among the possibilities (Kirsten is rumoured to be Matt's new love interest in the MCU), but throwing Karen into this world too soon would be a mistake. It's a shame, because she's a great female character, but if she dies in place of Foggy...we could live with it!
 

2. Melvin Potter

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One of the most infuriating things about Daredevil, and Marvel Television in general, was its outdated approach to handling costumed characters. Whereas the MCU was embracing superheroes, these shows seemed to be stuck in that early 2000s mindset, with just the odd nod to a costume or familiar characters given obscure Easter Eggs or nicknames to reference their comic book roots.

That, unfortunately, was the case with one Melvin Potter. Becoming a recurring presence in this series, he created the Man Without Fear's suit (minus the "DD," of course...) and dropped several references to one day becoming Gladiator. It just never ended up becoming a reality. 

With Marvel Studios now in charge, you'd think now would be the right time to make that happen. Nope. Matt Gerald is a good actor who did the best with what he was given, but Gladiator has always been one of Daredevil's lamer villains, and these repeated cameos have made us about as interested in seeing more of him as we are Turk. Give us Stilt-Man, Mister Fear, or even a rebooted Owl...
 

1. Claire Temple

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We love Rosario Dawson, but there's got to be a less thankless role for her in the MCU than Claire Temple. Used by Marvel Television to connect these characters, her involvement in the lives of each of the heroes soon became impossible to fully buy into, and failing to embrace what it meant to be Night Nurse in this world meant that a lot of potentially great stories fell by the wayside.

Now, there's no need for Claire to return, though we would love to see Marvel Studios give Dawson a lead role in an upcoming TV show or movie. The possibilities are endless for her in that respect (especially with reboots of the X-Men and Fantastic Four franchises on the way), and we're sure that would be a more rewarding gig for the Ahsoka star in the MCU than this character proved to be.

Had Claire been established as a stronger presence in the Man Without Fear's world, we'd have had a different attitude. As things stand, let's find something that gives Dawson her due...
 

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Origame
Origame - 1/7/2024, 3:06 PM
Josh, 2 of your 3 choices for characters you don't want to return are women. And one of them is black.

Based on what you've said previously, we have to conclude you're both racist and sexist.

Sorry, I don't make the rules 🤣
AnthonyVonGeek
AnthonyVonGeek - 1/7/2024, 3:10 PM
“And 3 We'd Rather Marvel Studios Forgets”
Umm no that’s all you. Don’t drag us into you not liking a mentally challenged man or a woman of color.
Careful you’re gonna get canceled thinking like that.
RitoRevolto
RitoRevolto - 1/7/2024, 3:11 PM
They already have the more important ones in Daredevil, Jessica, and Punisher. Bring back Ben, Claire and Bullseye's actors, if possible, and then recast the rest, Luke Cage and Danny Rand especially.
BillyBatson1000
BillyBatson1000 - 1/7/2024, 3:13 PM
5. Foggy Nelson, should surely read: You can't have Daredevil withOUT Foggy Nelson?
BillyBatson1000
BillyBatson1000 - 1/7/2024, 4:09 PM
@BillyBatson1000 - You're welcome.
99OPTIMISTPRIME
99OPTIMISTPRIME - 1/7/2024, 3:16 PM
I love Elektra as female Daredevil, because it basically pays off her relationship with Matt. But in live-action, I'd rather see more of Elektra as a lethal assassin/anti-hero. Elodie Yung did a great job. I'd rather she not be recast.

Origame
Origame - 1/7/2024, 3:28 PM
@99OPTIMISTPRIME - ...isn't it enough of a pay off that she's a hero and not a villain anymore? Why does she need to be specifically daredevil to pay off her relationship with matt?
Spike101
Spike101 - 1/7/2024, 4:24 PM
@99OPTIMISTPRIME - agreed, I thought she was brilliant in the role. She really gave off the feeling she was very unpredictable.
WhateverItTakes
WhateverItTakes - 1/7/2024, 3:17 PM
they replacing Karen with a new diverse secretary
AvalonX
AvalonX - 1/7/2024, 3:22 PM
@HeWhoBeatsDames - Don't give them any ideas.
WhateverItTakes
WhateverItTakes - 1/7/2024, 3:31 PM
@AvalonX - already done
CerealKiller1
CerealKiller1 - 1/7/2024, 4:21 PM
@HeWhoBeatsDames - Yeah god forbid a law firm could hire a secretary that isn’t white. That would be ridiculous, right…?
WhateverItTakes
WhateverItTakes - 1/7/2024, 5:13 PM
@CerealKiller1 - no idiot it's the fact they hired a diverse character and kicked the original to the Kirb.
WhateverItTakes
WhateverItTakes - 1/7/2024, 5:27 PM
@CerealKiller1 - they race swapped Ben Ulrich nobody cared. They cut the original cast to make sure they ahear to quote. Insidious
DocSpock
DocSpock - 1/7/2024, 5:38 PM
@HeWhoBeatsDames -

GRRRRRRR......

CerealKiller1
CerealKiller1 - 1/8/2024, 7:46 AM
@HeWhoBeatsDames - Oh! You mean they stopped using the character that’s been dead in the comics for the last 25 years and are going to use a modern character that’s been used in some of the very, very popular comic runs of the last 13 years? Once again you’re so right, how ridiculous…
WhateverItTakes
WhateverItTakes - 1/8/2024, 8:36 AM
@CerealKiller1 - the irony you claiming comics all of a sudden when it didn't matter when it was about race swapping. The character wasn't dead in the show now was she.
CerealKiller1
CerealKiller1 - 1/8/2024, 9:12 AM
@HeWhoBeatsDames - You keep bringing up race swapping….who are we referring to? Because they haven’t race swapped Karen? They’ve just introduced a non white character who was also non white in the comics…? I’m not sure what mental gymnastics you’re going through to get to the point you’re failing to make, but maybe stop ignoring all the valid points instead of repeatedly bringing something up that has no bearing on this conversation. Unless that doesn’t work for your agenda of course
tb86
tb86 - 1/7/2024, 3:25 PM
I never really minded Karen that much, but it has been a while since I have watched Daredevil. I guess I should watch it again sometime before Born Again is released.
Snow43214
Snow43214 - 1/7/2024, 3:28 PM
Melvin Potter was awesome.

I'd be happy if we found out he was dealing with street level hero costumes and the designer in She-Hulk (forgot his name) can design the others if he must remain
DocSpock
DocSpock - 1/7/2024, 3:37 PM

I have to admit, I agree with bringing most of these characters back.

No Foggy & Karen, NO PEACE!!

RolandD
RolandD - 1/7/2024, 3:43 PM
@DocSpock - Agree 100%. The three of them had great chemistry together
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 1/7/2024, 3:38 PM
Flawed list of priorities tbh. Rosario likely won't be back because she's busy now with Filoni as Ahsoka, which is understandable.

Less Melvin Potter can work in the long as long as he debuts as Gladiator, but Karen should appear. These "female character forced to be in the story" complains are even more forced and whiny than anything else.

Also Foggy was only "whiny" in S2 because Matt was all over the place with Elektra, he was back full supportive in S3 even when Matt was dodging him and Karen.
AC1
AC1 - 1/7/2024, 3:38 PM
Since they're now hinting that Netflix's Daredevil is canon after all, rather than resurrect Ben Urich, why not have Phil Urich take his place, inspired to become a journalist as a way of honouring his late uncle?
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 1/7/2024, 3:39 PM
Vondie Curtis-Hall should be back as Ben Urich, I'd like that.
Corruptor
Corruptor - 1/10/2024, 3:37 PM
@NinnesMBC - Fisk killed a Skrull. There, now you don't need variants or pick 'n' choose alt realities...
RolandD
RolandD - 1/7/2024, 3:42 PM
To read your description of Foggy it’s almost as if you didn’t know that they were back in a partnership again by the end of the third season. Also, if we can ignore the death of Ben Urich, we can’ignore some of the things they had Karen do and bring back, Deborah Ann Woll. I did think it was ridiculous when she became a reporter with no experience.
Repian
Repian - 1/7/2024, 3:53 PM
The Owl to be recast.
THEDARKKNIGHT1939
THEDARKKNIGHT1939 - 1/7/2024, 4:03 PM
It's going to be lame as hell if they try to write this off:

Makiveli21
Makiveli21 - 1/7/2024, 4:08 PM
I would have Foggy killed off before Born Again starts. Maybe Kingpin and Bullseye got him when Daredevil blipped and Kingpin rose to power.
Spike101
Spike101 - 1/7/2024, 4:27 PM
I’d love to see them all back, and in particular Karen, Elektra and Stick.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 1/7/2024, 4:48 PM
Just bring them all back. Outside of a few, the castings for these shows was on point. Just make sure the writing is top notch too
TheCoonII
TheCoonII - 1/7/2024, 5:09 PM
I wont say they HAVE to do anything with elektra frankly I could personally go either way but her situation at the end of the defenders was left ambiguous they could easily bring her back and pick and choose what they want to dwell on including the hand stuff
Order66
Order66 - 1/7/2024, 5:21 PM
You can’t cherry pick. Either it’s all canon or not. I prefer it’s not that way everybody can return and be rebooted to fit the MCU.
Alucard28
Alucard28 - 1/7/2024, 5:23 PM
I hope they match the quality of the Netflix show.
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