Viewers may want to rewatch these ten previousMCUmovies and TV shows to better understand the exciting narrative of Marvel Studios' upcomingDaredevil: Born Againseries.Daredevil: Born Againis one of the MCU’s most highly-anticipated upcoming projects, as Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio will be seen back in action as archenemies Matt Murdock, a.k.a. Daredevil, and Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. Kingpin, respectively. The pair first appeared in Netflix’sDefenders Saga, which was confirmed to be canonto the MCU in early 2024.
The fact thatDaredevil: Born Again, which is scheduledto premiere on March 4 on Disney+, is continuing the Defenders Saga’s narrative directly is very exciting for the MCU. However,Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio have also made themselves known in several other projects in the mainstream MCU timeline, which means viewers might want to look back at ten previous projects beforeDaredevil: Born Again’srelease. While this isn’t essential, rewatching these MCU projects will help audiences better understandDaredevil: Born Again.
10Daredevil Season 1 - 3
Daredevil Released On Netflix Between 2015 & 2018
Perhaps the most crucial project that should be rewatched beforeDaredevil: Born Againhits Disney+ in March isMarvel Television’s originalDaredevilseries.Daredevilseason 1 premiered in 2015, marking the beginning of Netflix’s Defenders Saga, and sinceDaredevil: Born Againwill feature storylines and characters first established in the three-season-long series,Daredevilis required viewing for the new MCU series.Daredevilintroduced audiences not only to Charlie Cox’s Man Without Fear, but also the gritty and grounded street-level New Yorkthat had seldom been seen in the MCU before then.
I’m Convinced The MCU Could Make Stan Lee’s Daredevil Movie Hopes Reality 10 Years Later With 1 Major Marvel Story
Stan Lee wanted a new Daredevil movie a decade ago, and I now know what MCU storyline would be perfect for the Marvel legend’s dream project.
Over the duration ofDaredevil’sthree seasons, characters such as Wilson Fisk, Vanessa Marianna, Karen Page, Franklin “Foggy” Nelson, Frank Castle’s Punisher and Benjamin Poindexter’s Bullseye were introduced, all of whom arereturning in the cast ofDaredevil:Born Again. It’s also possible thatDaredevilmainstays, including Stick, Elektra and Claire Temple could also return inBorn Again.Matt Murdock went through some transformative experiences in the originalDaredevilseries, and audiences need to see this journeyto understand his new narrative inBorn Again.
9Jessica Jones Season 1 - 3
Jessica Jones Released On Netflix Between 2015 & 2019
While Charlie Cox never appeared as Matt Murdock inJessica Jones, theKrysten Ritter-led series expanded the Defenders Sagaand leads directly into the events of 2017’sThe Defenders, which means it can provide some important context for Daredevil’s upcoming MCU storyline. Ritter’sJessica Jones is a superpowered private investigator in New York who took on the likes of Kilgrave, Nuke, her corrupted mother Alisa Jones, and serial killer Gregory Sallingerover the course of her three seasons, fleshing out the Defenders Saga and, now, the MCU itself, brilliantly.
Jessica Jonesseason 3 was the final Defenders Saga installment that released on Netflix before the franchise’s cancelation, hitting screens in June 2019.
Another reason thatJessica Jonescould be an important project to watch beforeDaredevil: Born Againis thatKrysten Ritter has been heavily speculated to be reprising the grounded role in the upcoming series. There has been talk of a more comic-accurate version of Jessica Jones debuting inBorn Again, perhaps supported byKrysten Ritter’s recent purple-haired makeover. It would be great to see Ritter return as Jessica Jones inDaredevil: Born Again, and this possibility meansJessica Jonesmay need to be watched beforehand.
8Luke Cage Season 1 - 2
Luke Cage Released On Netflix Between 2016 & 2018
Similarly, Charlie Cox’s Devil of Hell’s Kitchen was absent from the Harlem-setLuke Cageseries, but Mike Colter’s Power Man was a huge part ofThe Defenders, and his solo series shone a brighter light on the criminal underworld of New York City.Luke Cage is a central character in Marvel Comics, a key member and leader of the Avengers, and he even usurps Kingpin as Mayor of New York, so his return to the MCU is all but inevitable. This could take place inDaredevil: Born Again, so audiences will need to understandwhere Luke Cage is right now.
I’m Determined That 1 Marvel Hero Will Return To The MCU After 6 Years
After a huge recent update, I’m convinced that one missing Defenders Saga hero will finally be returning to the MCU in Daredevil: Born Again.
Luke Cageseason 2 ended in a strange place, asCage himself was teased to become a new crime boss in Harlem, having inherited the Harlem’s Paradise club from Mariah Dillard and putting the warring gangs of New York under his superpowered thumb. Last seen briefly inJessica Jonesseason 3, Luke Cage continued down his dark path, and it would be great for this story to continue inBorn Again. The first trailer forDaredevil: Born Againeven included a Harlem’s Paradise easter egg, which many who haven’t watchedLuke Cagewouldn’t have caught.
7Iron Fist Season 1 - 2
Iron Fist Released On Netflix Between 2017 & 2018
Danny Rand’s Iron Fist is perhaps the most disconnected hero from the other Defenders, though he did join forces with Luke Cage in the latter’s second season. Nevertheless, there’s every possibility thatFinn Jones could return as Iron FistinDaredevil: Born Again, particularly after the MCU’s recent Iron Fist teases, so Netflix’sIron Fistshould be caught up on beforeBorn Again’srelease.Iron Fistwas the lowest-rated Defenders Saga series, but contained a huge amount of set-up for the Hand, an ancient organization of villains who could still reappear in the MCU.
Iron FistSeason 2 (Mentioned)
TBD
Eyes of Wakanda
Following the dramatic ending ofThe Defenders,Danny Rand also took on Matt Murdock’s role as the protector of the streets of New York. It would be great to see Daredevil and the Iron Fist reunite inBorn Again, perhaps even teaming up against the likes of Muse, Kingpin and more. Since several otherIron Fists have now been teased in the MCU, it’s high time Finn Jones returns. Despite its lack of popularity,Iron Fistwas crucial to the development of the Defenders Saga, so should be caught up on beforeDaredevil: Born Again.
6The Defenders
The Defenders Released On Netflix In 2017
Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke CageandIron Fist’sevents all lead directly into a miniseries crossover event,The Defenders. This acted asThe AvengersofMarvel Television’s street-level stories, with the four titular heroes becoming the Defenders to battle the Hand’s long-lived leaders and save New York City from annihilation.This marked Matt Murdock’s first time teaming up with other superheroes in the MCU, whether they like to be called that or not, so this major event will surely be referenced inDaredevil: Born Again.
Comprising only eight episodes,The Defenderswouldn’t be a very grueling watch in the lead-up toDaredevil: Born Again. If audiences are reluctant to go back over the entire Defenders Saga, theDaredevilseries andThe Defendersare the most recommended projects to rewatch.The Defendersends with Daredevil seemingly sacrificing himself as Midland Circle collapses on top of him, but he returns hardened and tougher inDaredevilseason 3. It’s possible the entireDefenders team could appear inDaredevil: Born Again, which could firmly cement them as a key part of the MCU.
5The Punisher Season 1 - 2
The Punisher Released On Netflix Between 2017 & 2019
Jon Bernthal was lucky in the Defenders Saga, as he was the only actor introduced in one of the main four series' to receive his own spinoff show, andThe Punishereven became more popular than other shows produced by Marvel Television.The brutality and violence ofThe Punisherattracted a mature audience, so rewatching this series could prepare viewersfor theTV-MA rating ofDaredevil: Born Again. Beyond that, Bernthal is actually set to return as Frank Castle’s Punisher inDaredevil: Born Again, so catching up with his previous MCU story is important.
Jon Bernthal’s Punisher Future After Daredevil: Born Again Gets Promising Tease From MCU Executive
Jon Bernthal is getting ready to reprise the role of Punisher in Daredevil: Born Again, but it seems the MCU has more in store for the character.
The Punishersaw Frank Castle learn the truth about his family’s murder, help Micro return to his family (Ebon Moss-Bachrach has been recast as the MCU’s Ben Grimm inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps), uncover secrets about his former military unit and protect the young Amy Bendix in season 2.Frank Castle and Matt Murdock formed a close bond inDaredevilseason 2, which introduced thePunisher to the MCU, so it makes sense that this connection will be explored further inBorn Again. Frank Castle’s history is intense and brutal, but well worth a rewatch.
4Hawkeye
Hawkeye Premiered In November 2021
While it’s important to understand the history of the Defenders Saga when heading intoDaredevil: Born Again,Marvel Studios may also make several changes to Daredevil and Kingpin’s backstory which means the Defenders Saga shows might not be required viewing. The current timeline of Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk actually began with the release ofHawkeyeon Disney+ in November 2021, as this markedVincent D’Onofrio’s official return to the role of Wilson Fisk. In a massive change to Fisk’s Defenders Saga backstory,Hawkeyedebuted Alaqua Cox’s Maya Lopez as his surrogate niece/daughter-figure.
Hawkeyesaw Clint Barton take Kate Bishop under his wing to take down the Tracksuit Mafia and Kingpin, who had Kate’s mother, Eleanor, in his employ.
Maya Lopez was never mentioned in the Defenders Saga, and, in fact, Kingpin was made to seem like a complete loner aside from his relationship with Vanessa. This is no longer the case, and this change will surely have a huge impact on Wilson Fisk’s actions inDaredevil: Born Again.Hawkeyesaw Maya Lopez learn that Kingpin had conspired to kill her father, leading to her shooting Fisk in the eye. Even though he survived, this will surely be an important storyline inBorn Again, soHawkeye’ssix-part series should be rewatched.
3Spider-Man: No Way Home
Spider-Man: No Way Home Premiered In December 2021
WhileHawkeyefeatured Vincent D’Onofrio’s return,Charlie Cox’s occurred during 2021’sSpider-Man: No Way Home. Matt Murdock made a cameo appearance as the lawyer providing legal advice to Peter Parker in the wake of his identity being revealed to the world. While this was only a brief appearance,No Way Homefirmly established Matt Murdock as a part of the MCU’s New York-based stories, and gave him the opportunity to demonstrate his powers, as he swiftly caught a brick thrown through Peter Parker’s apartment window.
Spider-Man and Daredevil have teamed up a number of times in Marvel Comics, and since there is speculation that Marvel Studios is setting up anadaptation of theDevil’s Reignstoryline, which saw Mayor Wilson Fisk outlaw New York’s vigilantes, the pair’s connection could be important in the MCU, too.It’s unlikely that Tom Holland’s Spider-Man will appear inDaredevil: Born Again, and Matt Murdock will have forgotten the wall-crawler thanks to Doctor Strange’sNo Way Homespell. Even so, it’s worth rewatching this brief cameo from Charlie Cox beforeDaredevil: Born Again.
2She-Hulk: Attorney At Law
She-Hulk: Attorney At Law Premiered In August 2022
Since his return to the MCU in 2021, Charlie Cox has made three appearances, and the most substantial of these was in 2022’sShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law. After traveling to Los Angeles to collect his red-and-yellow suit designed by Luke Jacobson, Matt Murdock was hired to represent the costume designer in trial against She-Hulk and Eugene Patilio.Daredevil later fought Patilio’s Leapfrog alongside She-Hulk, and found himself caught in a tryst with Jennifer Walters, marking a new live-actionlove-interest for the MCU’s Daredevil.
Whether Daredevil’s One Night Stand With She-Hulk Will Be Mentioned In Born Again Addressed By Showrunner: “That Daredevil Is Canon In The MCU”
How Daredevil: Born Again will deal with certain parts of the wider MCU is explained by the showrunner, who mentions a divisive moment in She-Hulk.
Daredevil: Born Againshowrunner Dario Scardapane has recently suggested that Matt Murdock and Jennifer Walters' one-night stand won’t be addressed in the upcoming series. While this makes sense, given the fact that She-Hulk is in LA and Daredevil is in New York, rewatchingShe-Hulk: Attorney at Lawcould still provide key context for Matt Murdock’s current actions in the MCU. ThisDaredevil and She-Hulk connections does cause a timeline issuethat Marvel will need to address, andDaredevil: Born Againis the clear place that this will happen, soShe-Hulk: Attorney at Lawdeserves a rewatch.
1Echo
Echo Premiered In January 2024
Prior toDaredevil: Born Again, there has only been one mainstream MCU project that has featured both Daredevil and Kingpin, and that is 2024’sEcho.The MCU’s first Marvel Spotlight series caught up with Maya Lopez after her shooting of Wilson Fisk, her father-figure, inHawkeye. While catching audiences up, however, it was revealed that Maya Lopez and Daredevil had actually gone toe-to-toe, seemingly in a battle set in 2018. This confirmed thatDaredevil and Kingpin both survived Thanos’Infinity Warsnap, which could prove crucial toDaredevil: Born Again’s narrative.
Kingpin played a huge role inEcho, as he journeyed to Tamaha, Oklahoma, hoping to win back Maya Lopez’s affections. This was futile, and he was instead weakened by his surrogate niece after she realized the full extent of her ancestral powers. This directly culminated inWilson Fisk making the decision to run for Mayor of New York City, which will be a central storyline unfolding inDaredevil: Born Again. Kingpin’s choice to become Mayor will present a huge threat to Daredevil and many more heroes in the MCU, and this decision was made inEcho.
