Warning: This article contains spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again.
Matt Murdock may team up with these other New York-based superheroes inDaredevil: Born Againas Marvel Studios has set up the perfect Daredevil crossover storyline for theMCU. Phase 5’sDaredevil: Born Againfinally reunited Charlie Cox’s Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin seven years after their intense battle at the end of the originalDaredevilseries. Times have changed, though, as former crime bossWilson Fisk has now become Mayor of New York, which has laid the foundations for one of Marvel Comics' best Daredevil stories to unfold.
Daredevil: Born Againseems to be heading directly towards an adaptation of Marvel Comics’Devil’s Reignstoryline from 2021, which saw Mayor Fisk outlaw vigilantes in New York. This affected many street-level heroes, who banded together to take Kingpin down and remove him from office. Set photos fromDaredevil: Born Againseason 2suggest this storyline will be in full swing, hopefully creating the opportunity for Daredevil to team up with New York’s other heroes, and these iconic MCU characters would make great additions toDaredevil: Born Again’simpressive cast.
10Frank Castle’s Punisher
Jon Bernthal Debuted As Frank Castle In Daredevil Season 1 (2016)
Jon Bernthal returned as Frank Castle, the vigilante known as thePunisher, inDaredevil: Born Againepisode 4, “Sic Semper Systema,” and is set to have a large role in the MCU’s upcoming street-level stories, even in his own Special Presentation.His prominence on the ground in New York City and his prior connection to Matt Murdock’s Daredevil makes the Punisher a clear candidate to join the fight against Wilson Fisk’s Kingpin. The Punisher is unlike other vigilantes, as he murders bad guys rather than handing them over to the law, which often brings him to odds with Matt Murdock.
InDaredevil: Born Again, corruptNYPD officers have co-opted the Punisher’s skull logoto enact heinous crimes using the vigilante as justification. This storyline is expected to culminate in Frank Castle and Matt Murdock teaming up as the Punisher and Daredevil inBorn Againseason 1, which could be developed even further inBorn Againseason 2.The Punisher plays a key role in Marvel Comics’Devil’s Reignevent, so it would be great to see him officially join a team in the MCUto make this story’s live-action adaptation more comic-accurate.
9Ava Ayala Or Angela Del Toro’s White Tiger
Camila Rodriguez Debuted As Angela Del Toro In Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 (2025)
While it was great to see Frank Castle’s Punisher return inDaredevil: Born Again, the series has also introduced a brand-new superhero to the MCU. Initially portrayed by the late Kamar de los Reyes,Hector Ayala was the original White Tiger, who became empowered by a mystical amulet, allowing him to act as a vigilante in New York.Hector’s sudden and shocking murder inBorn Againepisode 3, “The Hollow of His Hand,” leaves the door open for a new character to become White Tiger, and Marvel Studios has already teased two possible candidates, Hector’s sister and niece.
Kamar de los Reyes passed away after a battle with cancer in December 2023.Daredevil: Born Againepisode 3 was dedicated to his memory.
Both Ava Ayala and Angela del Toro become White Tiger in Marvel Comics, and Camila Rodriguez has already debuted asAngela del Toro inDaredevil: Born Again. It’s very possiblethe teenager could acquire her uncle’s amulet and become the new White Tiger in the MCU, which could lead to her training alongside Matt Murdock, and perhaps even joining his team to oppose Kingpin. Ava Ayala hasn’t yet appeared in the MCU, but she could become the White Tiger before her daughter, continuing the legacy of the White Tiger in the best way.
8Colleen Wing’s Iron Fist
Jessica Henwick Debuted As Colleen Wing In Iron Fist Season 1 (2017)
Iron Fists will soon be officially introduced to the MCU, setting up the returns of the mystical, chi-empowered heroes from Netflix’sIron Fistseries. With a prior connection to Matt Murdock,it would make sense for the Iron Fist to return inDaredevil: Born Again, but Finn Jones' Danny Rand endedIron Fistseason 2 on a journey across the globein search of Orson Randall, leaving New York in the protection of someone else. Jessica Henwick’sColleen Wing acquired the Iron Fistfrom Davos in season 2, and there have been calls for her to reprise the role.
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Kitted out with her signature sword, which she uses as an extension of the Iron Fist, Colleen Wing is a formidable protector of the streets of New York City, so it would be great to see her return to the MCU. WithEyes of Wakandaset to debut a new Iron Fist, and speculation that the character could appear inShang-Chi 2, an appearance inDaredevil: Born Againseason 2 could occur.Colleen Wing’s Iron Fist would be one of the most powerful members of Daredevil’s new team, so she’d be a crucial adversary to Kingpin.
7Kate Bishop’s Hawkeye
Hailee Steinfeld Debuted As Kate Bishop In Hawkeye (2021)
Of course, it would give Daredevil’s team gravitas and notoriety if Clint Barton’s Hawkeye joined forces with them, but Barton is currently presumed to be living the retired life at his farmhouse in Iowa.While Barton might not be in New York right now, his protégé, Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop, is, which means she could return inDaredevil: Born Againseason 2to take on Mayor Wilson Fisk. Kate Bishop’s Hawkeye could split her time between Daredevil’s underground New York-based group and theMCU’s upcoming Young Avengers team, which is expected to form very soon.
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Kate Bishop is one of the MCU’s most exciting new heroes, so it’s a dire shame that she’s only appeared once since her official debut in 2021’sHawkeyeseries. The ending ofThe Marvelspractically confirmed the formation of the Young Avengers, as Kate Bishop was met by Kamala Khan, but it would be great to see theMCU’s new Hawkeyealso join forces with other street-level heroes in aDevil’s Reignadaptation.Hawkeye has always been a central member of the Avengers and the MCU as a whole, so hopefully Kate Bishop will continue this legacy.
6Luke Cage
Mike Colter Debuted As Luke Cage In Jessica Jones Season 1 (2015)
Danny Rand might not be in New York right now, but other members of Netflix’s Defenders team are, which opens the door for Luke Cage to reunite with Matt Murdock’s Daredevil.Mike Colter portrayed Luke Cage, a legendary hero in Marvel Comics, in the Defenders Saga, and the actor has recently expressed interest in reprising the role, though there is also speculation that Power Man could be recast.Luke Cage has a central role in Marvel Comics’Devil’s Reignevent, so his reintroduction to the MCU inDaredevil: Born Againseason 2 could be essential.
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We last saw Luke Cage evolving into something of a crime boss himself inLuke Cageseason 2, which could bring him face-to-face with Kingpin as a rival for power and influence. However, should Marvel make Luke Cage a hero again,it would be great to see him return in aDevil’s Reignadaptation, especially since it’s Luke Cage who replaces Wilson Fisk as Mayor of New York in this storyline. Marvel could debut a more comic-accurate version ofLuke Cage inBorn Again, who would be a huge asset to Daredevil’s possible new team.
5Jessica Jones
Krysten Ritter Debuted As Jessica Jones In Jessica Jones Season 1 (2015)
Perhaps the most exciting and anticipated member of Netflix’s Defenders team that everyone wants to see return to the MCU isKrysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones. Ritter’s superpowered private investigator headlined theJessica Jonesseries and became one of the most popular additions to the Defenders Saga, andRitter’s relentless teases regarding her return to the MCU have raised hopes she’ll appear inDaredevil: Born Again. Jessica Jones would fit perfectly into the grounded and gritty tone ofBorn Again, and would be a fantastic asset to Daredevil’s new team.
Jessica Jones and Luke Cage marry in Marvel Comics, making her the First Lady of New York after his election as Mayor in theDevil’s Reignstoryline.
As a fan-favorite hero operating in New York, it would be great to see Jessica Jones return to the MCU.Not only could this answer key questions left open by her solo Netflix series, but could also better connect her to the wider MCU and other heroes, bringing more of her Marvel Comics stories, includingDevil’s Reign, to life. There has been widespread speculation thatJessica Jones will return inDaredevil: Born Againseason 1, but, if this doesn’t happen, season 2 would be the best place to bring her back, allowing her entertaining dynamic with Daredevil to be rekindled.
4Maya Lopez’s Echo
Alaqua Cox Debuted As Maya Lopez In Hawkeye (2021)
Of course, it would be great to see Daredevil reunite with his former Defenders teammates, but there are also new heroes in the MCU that he has formed connections with. One of these,Alaqua Cox’s Maya Lopez, hasn’t yet been depicted as an ally to Matt Murdock, but the pair’s spar in a 2018-set scene inEchointroduced them, and showed off Lopez’s impressive fighting skills.When bringing together a team of vigilantes to take down Wilson Fisk, who better to recruit than Kingpin’s own surrogate niece?
Maya Lopez and Matt Murdock have a complex and lengthy history in Marvel Comics, and it would be wonderful to see this relationship get explored in the MCU. Marvel Studios hasn’t confirmed Alaqua Cox’s future in the MCU after her brilliant performance in her ownMarvel Spotlight series, 2024’sEcho, but the door is open for her to return inDaredevil: Born Againseason 2.After she acquired her ancestors' powers, she would be a formidable member of Daredevil’s rag-tag New York-based team, particularly since she has already brought Kingpin to his knees.
3Doctor Strange
Benedict Cumberbatch Debuted As Stephen Strange In Doctor Strange (2016)
Even though he had a pivotal role inAvengers: Infinity WarandEndgame, Doctor Strange has never officially been depicted as a member of this mainstream superhero team.Benedict Cumberbatch’s Master of the Mystic Arts is one of the MCU’s most important and powerful heroes, especially in the Multiverse Saga, so he might be too notable to be included in Daredevil’s team. However, since he is primarily based in New York City, Wilson Fisk’s new laws would also impact Doctor Strange, which could lead to him joining forces with the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen.
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After the events of 2022’sDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,Stephen Strange isn’t currently on Earth, and is instead traveling the cosmos with Charlize Theron’s Clea in hopes of stopping an impending incursion event. This means he’ll likely be unavailable inDaredevil: Born Againseason 2, though it’s unclear when the follow-up season will release. Doctor Strange would be a significant asset to the New York-based team, bringing star-power and magical strength to the group, and this could begin to integrate some of theMCU’s smaller-scale heroesinto the franchise’s wider stories.
2Kamala Khan’s Ms. Marvel
Iman Vellani Debuted As Kamala Khan In Ms. Marvel (2022)
Although technically not in New York, Jersey City is close enough to New York that we can clearly seeKamala Khan’s Ms. Marvelbeing recruited for Daredevil’s new vigilante team in aDevil’s Reignadaptation.The New Jersey-based hero emerged after finding a Quantum Band in 2022’sMs. Marvelseries, which unlocked Kamala Khan’s hybrid ClanDestine and mutant genetics. Ms. Marvel has already teamed up with other heroes, namely Carol Danvers and Monica Rambeau, and may soon help form the Young Avengers team, so she could easily join another team in the MCU, too.
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Iman Vellani is one of the most exciting additions to the MCU in recent years, so, similarly to her future Young Avengers co-star, Hailee Steinfeld, it’s a shame she hasn’t had a more pivotal role in the franchise.It would be great to see Ms. Marvel join forces with other street-level heroes in the New York metropolitan area, and an adaptation of theDevil’s Reignstoryline presents the perfect opportunity. Ms. Marvel is remarkably powerful, so it would be brilliant to see her return, especially since this will expand on the mythology ofmutants in the MCU.
1Peter Parker’s Spider-Man
Tom Holland Debuted As Peter Parker In Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Ever since Charlie Cox returned to the MCU as Matt Murdock in 2021’sSpider-Man: No Way Home,there have been hopes that Marvel Studios will bring Daredevil and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man together, adapting their much-loved Marvel Comics partnership. While there seems to be some dispute about whether the wall-crawler can appear in a live-action MCU TV series, since his rights still reside with Sony Pictures, it would be incredible to seeSpider-Man join Daredevil’s team inBorn Againseason 2. This is especially true afterNo Way Home’stragic and emotional ending.
Everyone in the world forgot Peter Parker inSpider-Man: No Way Home, so the young hero is surely on the lookout for new allies in New York City.Returning to his roots as a Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Peter Parker is perfectly primed to join a team of heroes fighting against the twisted political influence of Mayor Wilson Fisk. Whether it be inDaredevil: Born Againor even in theMCU’s upcomingSpider-Man 4movie, Daredevil and Spider-Man’s inevitable meeting in the MCU is highly anticipated, and could mark the end of Kingpin’s villainous career.
