Benson & Moorhead: The Ideal Choice for 'Daredevil: Born Again'
Benson & Moorhead bring a fresh artistic vision to 'Daredevil: Born Again', providing a much-needed boost to the MCU's post-'Avengers: Endgame' era
The Big Picture
The directorial skills of Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead in Loki Season 2 breathed new life into Marvel's post-Avengers: Endgame era, showcasing their exceptional grasp of delivering emotional satisfaction in storytelling.
Benson and Moorhead's versatility makes them the ideal pair to tackle Daredevil: Born Again, as they have clearly demonstrated their skill in adapting their approach to various projects.
The artistic vision that Benson and Moorhead bring to the MCU fills a void that has been present in Phase 4, and their work effectively showcases their ability to convey visual storytelling in a realistic and coherent manner.
A few weeks ago, Marvel made a public announcement regarding its major overhaul of Daredevil: Born Again. Alongside this, the studio revealed its decision to completely change the production process for its Disney+ series. Now, we are beginning to witness the initial effects of these changes. Dario Scardapane has been appointed as the first actual showrunner for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), following the departure of previous head writers Matt Corman and Chris Ord (who are now recognized as executive producers). In addition, the talented team of Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead has been chosen to direct the remaining episodes of the series. This is an advantageous situation for Benson and Moorhead, as they have already gained familiarity with Marvel's protocols during their involvement in Loki Season 2 and Moon Knight, having directed multiple episodes for both projects. They are indeed the ideal duo to take charge of Daredevil and potentially any other projects that Marvel may entrust them with in the future. But what makes them the perfect fit?
Daredevil: Born Again
Release Date November 30, 2023Cast Charlie Cox, Margarita Levieva, Jon Bernthal, Vincent D'OnofrioGenres Superhero, Action, CrimeSeasons 1
Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead Understand How the Marvel Formula Works
When Kevin Feige, the head of Marvel Studios, announced the end of Phase 4 of the MCU at SDCC in July 2022, confusion surrounded Marvel's future plans. It seemed odd to conclude such a significant phase with individual projects like She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, rather than a grand crossover event. This decision felt more like a last-minute solution rather than part of a well-thought-out strategy. It appeared that Marvel had lost sight of its own successful formula, with only WandaVision and Loki Season 1 receiving positive feedback, and even those lacked cohesion. However, everything changed when Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead joined the team for Loki Season 2.
This is not a critique of Kate Herron's excellent work as the director of Loki Season 1 — in fact, that was one of the show's strengths up until that point. However, the arrival of Benson and Moorhead undoubtedly elevated the quality of Season 2. They have already directed two episodes, including the season premiere "Ouroboros" and the impactful "Heart of the TVA." Additionally, they are set to direct the next two episodes, including the highly anticipated season finale. Another factor contributing to the series' improvement is Eric Martin taking over as the head writer (Marvel's equivalent of a showrunner) from series creator Michael Waldron. Nevertheless, it is Benson and Moorhead's directing that truly allows the show to shine.
Marvel faced a challenge in creating a formula for their post-Avengers: Endgame era, but Benson and Moorhead's vision has helped bring clarity to the situation. In Loki Season 2, they skillfully incorporate the sci-fi elements that make the series unique without overwhelming the audience with complicated time-travel concepts and technical terms. They understand that the emotional payoff for the characters is more important than the presence of these elements. Proper character development is crucial when delving into the weird and unusual, and Loki has excelled in this aspect with compelling arcs for Loki, Sylvie, and Mobius, despite the constant shifting timelines.
The show deals with incredibly high stakes that may be difficult for viewers to fully comprehend. The idea of trillions of lives can seem abstract and detached from the viewer's own reality. However, Benson and Moorhead make these lives tangible and relatable by showing their impact on the TVA characters. For instance, in Episode 2, "Breaking Brad," we witness B-15's sorrow as she sees branched timelines being pruned by General Dox. Yet, her willingness to extend an olive branch to Dox in "Heart of the TVA" demonstrates the importance of protecting both the TVA and the lives it represents. While the story itself has its merits, it is the unique blend of directing by Benson and Moorhead that brings forth the perfect balance of weirdness and emotion in every episode of Loki.
What Can We Expect From Benson and Moorhead on ‘Daredevil: Born Again’?
Benson and Moorhead have proven their ability to adapt their style to different projects, as seen in their work on Moon Knight episodes "Summon the Suit" and "The Tomb," which share the mystery, dramatic reveals, and action that the characters of Marc Spector and Steven Grant require. However, Daredevil: Born Again presents a new challenge for the duo. While Loki explores different dimensions and time periods, Daredevil is more grounded and realistic. These shows have such distinct premises that they almost feel like they exist in separate universes. The MCU's willingness to delve into various genres requires versatile and adaptable filmmakers, and Benson and Moorhead have already demonstrated their aptitude in this regard.
Daredevil, the title character, presents a unique approach due to his characteristics. Matt Murdock, a blind man who fights crime with enhanced senses, faces challenges that are more spiritual than physical. His Catholic guilt drives and limits his actions in a similar way to Marc Spector in Moon Knight. As a result, Daredevil is a series that leans towards character study rather than a plot-driven narrative like Loki. While Daredevil's plot is influenced by external factors like Wilson Fisk's actions as a crime lord, and the cases Matt Murdock takes on, the story is primarily seen through Murdock's perspective.
