The MCU's Retelling of Daredevil's 1989 Debut Storyline Decades Later
Explore how the MCU revisited Daredevil's live-action debut from 32 years ago in a fresh and exciting way. Dive into the parallels between the original storyline and its modern adaptation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Marvel Studios brought Daredevil into the MCU in Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021, revisiting a classic story 32 years after the hero's first live-action appearance in 1989's The Trial of the Incredible Hulk. Charlie Cox, known for his role as Matt Murdock, a.k.a. Daredevil, in Marvel Television's Defenders Saga, quickly became a beloved character in the MCU. Following the cancellation of Netflix's Marvel shows, Cox returned as Daredevil in cameo roles in Phases 4 and 5, leading up to the highly anticipated debut of his solo series, Daredevil: Born Again.
Having portrayed Daredevil in three seasons of Daredevil and The Defenders miniseries, Charlie Cox's future as the Man Without Fear seemed uncertain after the cancellation of Daredevil in 2018. However, a pleasant surprise came in Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021, where Cox reprised his role as Matt Murdock. Since then, he has continued to appear in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Echo, and is gearing up to star alongside Vincent D'Onofrio and other familiar Daredevil cast members in Daredevil: Born Again. Notably, Marvel Studios revisited a storyline from 32 years ago for the Devil of Hell's Kitchen in No Way Home.
Matt Murdock Represented The Hulk 32 Years Before His No Way Home Cameo
The Hulk and Daredevil in a poster for The Trial of the Incredible Hulk - Matt Murdock Represented The Hulk 32 Years Before His No Way Home Cameo
In Spider-Man: No Way Home, Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock was introduced as the lawyer who took on Peter Parker's case after his identity was revealed. It's likely that Murdock felt a connection to Parker, just like he did with Dr. David Banner, also known as the Hulk, in The Trial of the Incredible Hulk from 1989. In this TV movie, Daredevil and the Hulk teamed up against Wilson Fisk, also known as Kingpin.
John Rhys-Davies played Wilson Fisk in The Trial of the Incredible Hulk. You may recognize him from the Indiana Jones movies, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and the Aquaman films in the DCEU.
Matt Murdock Already Introduced Himself As A Lawyer To MCU Heroes
A continuation of the 1977 series The Incredible Hulk and its first TV movie sequel, 1988's The Incredible Hulk Returns, The Trial of the Incredible Hulk starred Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno as David Banner and the Hulk, respectively, while Rex Smith portrayed Matt Murdock's Daredevil. This marked the first live-action adaptation of the Man Without Fear, who debuted in Marvel Comics in 1964's Daredevil #1. Although Charlie Cox's iteration has certainly become more popular than Smith's, Daredevil's appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home repeated the story of Matt Murdock representing another hero from The Trial of the Incredible Hulk.
Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock in Peter Parker's home in Spider-Man No Way Home - Matt Murdock Already Introduced Himself As A Lawyer To MCU Heroes
The storyline of Matt Murdock representing superpowered or superhero-related characters has been seen twice in the MCU. Charlie Cox's Murdock gave legal advice to Spider-Man in Spider-Man: No Way Home and represented Happy Hogan. He also represented his own costume designer in a case against She-Hulk and Leapfrog in Los Angeles. This shows that Matt Murdock has made his legal career known to powerful heroes in the MCU, with potential for more in the future.
The Trial Of The Incredible Hulk Shows How Daredevil Can Meet More MCU Heroes
She-Hulk learning that Matt Murdock is Daredevil in She-Hulk Attorney at Law - The Trial Of The Incredible Hulk Shows How Daredevil Can Meet More MCU Heroes
After having legal dealings with Spider-Man and She-Hulk, Matt Murdock may be hired to represent many other superpowered individuals in the MCU. This could be a great opportunity for Murdock to meet more superheroes, as he has only interacted with a few despite his long tenure in New York City. In the MCU, superheroes often toe the line between right and wrong, with some being viewed as violent vigilantes, making Murdock's legal advice valuable.
As more superheroes in the MCU adopt secret identities like Matt Murdock, he would likely be eager to represent them to help maintain their anonymity. This could potentially lead to Murdock playing a prominent role in a future Avengers team or similar group. While Murdock had limited superhero connections in the Defenders Saga, being firmly established in the MCU will increase his visibility among other heroes who may seek his legal expertise or superpowered assistance.
Editor's P/S:
The article delves into the intriguing connection between Daredevil's past and present appearances in the MCU, specifically in "Spider-Man: No Way Home." It highlights the parallel between Matt Murdock representing the Hulk in "The Trial of the Incredible Hulk" in 1989 and his role as Peter Parker's lawyer in "No Way Home." This continuity adds depth to Daredevil's character and underscores his unwavering commitment to justice.
The article also explores the potential for Daredevil to interact with a wider range of MCU heroes through his legal work. By representing superpowered individuals, Matt Murdock becomes a valuable ally to those operating in the gray area between right and wrong. This sets the stage for future collaborations and alliances, potentially leading to Daredevil's involvement in larger-scale events within the MCU. The article effectively showcases the multifaceted nature of Daredevil's character and his ability to bridge the gap between the superhero and legal worlds.
