The Return of Bullseye and the Introduction of Weapon X: What It Means for the MCU
Marvel Studios now has the opportunity to introduce a new version of Weapon X into the MCU, as Marvel Television's Defenders projects may have officially been made MCU canon. This opens the door for the return of characters like Bullseye and the potential debut of Wolverine.
The Defenders Saga: A New Chapter in the MCU
Marvel Studios now has the opportunity to introduce a new version of Weapon X into the MCU, as Marvel Television's Defenders projects may have officially been made MCU canon. Marvel Television's Defenders Saga, including projects such as Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Defenders and The Punisher, was integrated into the MCU's official timeline on Disney+ in January 2024, alongside the release of Marvel Spotlight series Echo. While Marvel Studios hasn't yet commented on the matter, this suggests that the Defenders Saga is now canon to the MCU, which means more characters from the popular shows can return.
Wilson Bethel's Benjamin Poindexter in Daredevil season 3
Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio have already reprised their roles of Matt Murdock's Daredevil and Wilson Fisk's Kingpin, respectively, from Marvel Television's Daredevil series, and Jon Bernthal is set to join them as Frank Castle's Punisher in Marvel Studios' upcoming Daredevil: Born Again. Although it seems as though several of the Defenders Saga's events have been rewritten for the MCU, many have been retained, meaning more characters, perhaps even Luke Cage, Jessica Jones and Danny Rand, could soon be reappearing. This also means that unanswered cliffhangers can finally be addressed, including Wilson Bethel's Benjamin Poindexter's dramatic Daredevil season 3 ending.
Bullseye in full costume in Marvel Comics
Marvel Studios now has the opportunity to introduce a new version of Weapon X into the MCU, as Marvel Television's Defenders projects may have officially been made MCU canon. Marvel Television's Defenders Saga, including projects such as Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Defenders and The Punisher, was integrated into the MCU's official timeline on Disney+ in January 2024, alongside the release of Marvel Spotlight series Echo. While Marvel Studios hasn't yet commented on the matter, this suggests that the Defenders Saga is now canon to the MCU, which means more characters from the popular shows can return.
Doctors operating on Benjamin Poindexter in Daredevil season 3
Bullseye: A Lethal Villain's Resurgence
Wilson Bethel portrayed psychopathic FBI special agent Benjamin Poindexter in Daredevil season 3, adapted from Marvel Comics' Bullseye, who debuted in 1976's Daredevil #131. Both in Marvel Comics and Daredevil, Bullseye works for Kingpin as one of the world's most powerful hitmen, using his incredibly accurate marksmanship to eliminate his targets. His vendetta against Daredevil is more personal in Marvel Comics, however, as the pair battle on various occasions, with Daredevil often getting the upper hand. This culminates in an epic fight atop a telephone wire, which ends with Bullseye falling several stories, breaking his back, and finding himself paralyzed.
Bullseye getting adamantium reinforcements in Marvel Comics
During 1983's Daredevil #196, Bullseye is kidnaped from his hospital bed by Lord Dark Wind, the inventor of the adamantium bonding process, and taken to Japan. Two issues later, Bullseye is rejuvenated thanks to Dark Wind lacing his bones with adamantium, restoring his mobility and making him capable of new feats. While adamantium wasn't mentioned in Daredevil season 3's finale, a similar storyline unfolded with Wilson Bethel's Poindexter after he was paralyzed during a three-way battle between him, Daredevil and Kingpin. Since his spine was operated on, it's possible that Bullseye could return to the MCU even stronger than before.
Benjamin Poindexter with target in his eye in Daredevil season 3
Adamantium has been used to enhance several characters in Marvel Comics, but by far the most famous is clawed X-Men member Wolverine. In Marvel Comics, James 'Logan' Howlett received his adamantium upgrade after being kidnaped by the enigmatic Weapon X program, with the original hope of transforming Wolverine into the perfect, indestructible assassin. This was slightly altered for Fox's X-Men Universe, though Wolverine did still undergo adamantium enhancement, only at the hands of William Stryker's Weapon X program in the 1980s. For the MCU, however, it's possible that Weapon X could be rewritten again, and may have already been seen.
Wolverine after his operation in Fox's X-Men Universe
The Path to Wolverine's Debut in the MCU
Daredevil season 3's finale saw Benjamin Poindexter undergoing his emergency operation, and it's possible that Marvel Studios could reveal he in fact did have adamantium bonded to his spine. This could hint at Weapon X already having been glimpsed in Daredevil season 3, which sets the stage for Wolverine's MCU debut perfectly. If Benjamin Poindexter returns as an adamantium-empowered Bullseye, the foundations can be laid for Wolverine to finally make his first appearance, too, as both have adamantium in common. This would likely occur after Hugh Jackman's return in Deadpool 3, however, instead debuting the MCU's official version of Wolverine.
Bullseye as Daredevil attacking the New York Bulletin in Daredevil season 3
The most logical place for Wilson Bethel to return as Benjamin Poindexter's Bullseye in the MCU would be in Daredevil: Born Again, opposite Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio. However, there are other opportunities for the villain to reappear, particularly when considering his potential adamantium enhancements. Adamantium hasn't yet been mentioned in the MCU, but is rumored to play a role in the storyline of Captain America: Brave New World, so it's possible Bullseye could return alongside Sam Wilson's Captain America. Bullseye and Captain America have battled in Marvel Comics, so there is real precedence for this to be the case.
During Marvel Comics' Civil War and Secret Invasion events, Bullseye was featured as a prominent member of the Thunderbolts team. This perhaps means he could be included in the MCU's version of the team in Marvel Studios' upcoming Thunderbolts crossover project. Poindexter previously worked for the FBI, and the Thunderbolts are expected to form under the CIA, so his inclusion in the team isn't far-fetched. Bullseye could also have a role in Phase 6's Avengers 5 and Secret Wars, or in any continuation of the Defenders characters' stories in the MCU, especially with his former boss, Kingpin, on the warpath.
