Matt Murdock is now firmly in the MCU, with roles in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Echo, and his own series in Daredevil: Born Again. However, a recent rumor suggested he would not be the only crimefighter from Netflix's Marvel universe to be brought into the MCU. According to a report from earlier in 2022, Born Again would also bring back Jessica Jones, played once again by actress Krysten Ritter, who portrayed the character in Netflix's Jessica Jones.
In July, The Weekly Planet podcast (at the 42:52 mark) stated that Charlie Cox was set to appear in three episodes of Echo, and that the show would feature Murdock looking for the P.I. hero: "Daredevil is also going to be rocking a red-and-black-suit, and he's looking for Jessica Jones. So, they're laying the groundwork to bring back [Krysten] Ritter, most likely. Not necessarily in ['Echo']."
Days later, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed Cox's role on the show, stating: "Sources say 'Echo' will include a plotline in which Daredevil, whose alter ego is blind attorney Matt Murdoch, is searching out a former ally."
Jones' story purportedly being tied to Murdock's seemed to hint at her appearance in Daredevil: Born Again. Krysten Ritter was lauded for her performance as the reluctant superhero—whom she last played in season 3 of Jessica Jones—which made her possible return a promising prospect. However, a new rumor states that Ritter's (rumored) role in Born Again will now be filled by Jon Bernthal's Punisher due to a scheduling conflict with the actress (she is set to star in Orphan Black: Echoes for AMC, which she is also executive producing).
Jessica Jones Is Rumored To No Longer Be In Daredevil: Born Again
Insider KC Walsh retweeted a post reporting on a rumor about Alaqua Cox appearing as Echo in Daredevil: Born Again following her standalone series. In response, he wrote: "I know I was in denial about this, but it sounds like another popular character will show up as well due to a scheduling conflict, as it appears they will take the rumored role Jessica Jones had."
When asked what "popular character" would allegedly replace Jones, KC Walsh replied with a gif of Jon Bernthal's Punisher:
Fortunately, if the information is accurate, there is still a possibility for Ritter to return as Jessica Jones in Born Again, even if just for a cameo. KC Walsh also retweeted a post from Tom Smith, the host of a podcast called Cape Time.
Smith claimed that Punisher would indeed fill Jones' part due to the aforementioned scheduling conflict with Ritter—which KC Walsh seemingly stated was due to her involvement with Orphan Black: Echoes—but that there would be a possibility for the actress to cameo on Matt Murdock's series:
"Basically, 'Born Again' is re-introducing the Netflix characters to the mainstream, and they planned to bring in Ritter, but there's a scheduling problem for 'Born Again.' So, they needed another Netflix star to fill the role. It's Jon Bernthal. Wouldn't be shocked if Ritter [cameos, though]."
As for Ritter, she seems to be enthusiastic about the potential of returning to the role. As she told Screen Rant during a 2021 interview:
"I would absolutely just die to play Jessica again. I had the best time doing it and I just love her so much. I'm so proud of that character. Not only because it was like a great role and she's such a bad-ass, but that character has really resonated with people in a way that I don't know who else has. Really, really resonated with women and girls, trauma survivors. It's just so, so big and such a thing I'm so grateful to have been a part of. So, if there's ever an opportunity for me to put on those boots, I will be there in a flash."
Of course, it's important to take this information with a grain of salt, and audiences should wait for more information regarding Born Again's character roster as its development ramps up.
Daredevil: Born Again is expected to be released on Disney+ in Spring 2024.