Was Daredevil always the outcast of the MCU? The showrunner of the Netflix series reveals how limited their access was to the broader universe.
The Netflix run of Daredevil has gone down in history as one of the most legendary projects, not just in the MCU, but all of superhero media. Nowadays fans live in a world where the Man Without Fear is embraced with open arms by Marvel. However, those living through the series’ original airing remember that the studio wasn’t always as kind to the Defenders of New York City.
To many, it seemed as though Daredevil and the other Netflix shows nominally taking place in the MCU were partitioned off into their own borough, never to interact with the rest of the MCU. While only speculation up until this point, former showrunner Steven DeKnight recently confirmed that Marvel limited their access to the broader franchise. Though, despite what fans might jump to, it doesn’t seem like that was a bad thing.
“The MCU and Marvel Television at the time were not exactly simpatico,” DeKnight explained on social media. “We had very, very limited access to the toys and had to basically stay in our lane. Which isn’t a complaint! I think it forced us to really concentrate on character and not flashy cameos or gimmicks.”
Was Daredevil Better Disconnected From The MCU?
With Daredevil now in the MCU proper with Born Again, the discussion of the Netflix series and how separate it was from Marvel’s larger plans has been brought up again and again. Many believe that, as cool as it would be to see Daredevil interacting with Spider-Man, the consistent tone of the original series and gritty feeling gave it a vibe that very few other projects can even strive for, let alone achieve on such a a level.
The MCU is both more connected and disparate than ever. And with Marvel now struggling to find their footing toward the end of the Multiverse Saga, Daredevil has once again become a focal point for how connected the universe really should be. With Born Again season 2 releasing in less than a year, and Avengers: Doomsday not long after, the answer to if it’ll be as distinct as the Netflix series despite the connectivity may come sooner than fans expect.
Daredevil: Born Again is now streaming on Disney Plus, with season 2 set to release in March 2026. Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!
