It seems Marvel’s Daredevil: Born Again is already off to a rocky start, thanks to its showrunner Dario Scardapane’s ill-conceived comments about the beloved Netflix Daredevil series.
In an interview with SFX magazine, Scardapane took thinly veiled shots at the original show, describing its introspective storytelling as “navel-gazing” and promising his version would have “a lot more fun” and “a lot less grousing about their lot in life.” If this is Marvel’s way of drumming up excitement, it’s a disaster in the making.
Charlie Cox as Daredevil in the Daredevil: Born Again trailer – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
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“There is more fun in the moments with these characters and a lot less navel-gazing than before,” he said. “The earlier show, at its best, was fantastic. At its worst, it was two characters in a room talking about what a hero is. I felt that had been done. I’m not taking swipes. I just didn’t want to hear characters grousing about their lot in life. I wanted to see them doing things.”
The Netflix Daredevil series is sacred to fans, a dark, gritty, and nuanced masterpiece that set the gold standard for superhero storytelling. Its deep character introspection and moral dilemmas gave the series a soul that transcended typical comic-book fare. Criticizing these elements as boring or outdated only alienates the exact audience that Born Again desperately needs to win over. Instead of building on what worked, Scardapane is seemingly trying to rewrite the formula—a move that reeks of hubris and tone-deafness.
The Kingpin in the Daredevil: Born Again trailer – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
Most fans were hoping that the new series would be a return to form for Marvel, harkening back to the very same series that Scardapane is maligning. The last thing Born Again needs is Marvel’s signature brand of snarky humor and CGI-heavy battles. The goal here should be to make fans forget that Matt Murdock appeared in the disastrous She-Hulk series, doing the “walk of shame” in broad daylight in his super hero costume.
Marvel and Disney should have learned by now that tearing down something beloved in an effort to promote the new never ends well.
Daisy Ridley as Rey in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Lucasfilm
Look no further than the Star Wars sequels. Rey was positioned as the next great hero, but Disney achieved this by undermining Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. Fans didn’t forget, and the backlash was swift and severe. More recently, Rachel Zegler drew ire for trying to hype the Snow White remake by criticizing the original film, painting its timeless love story as outdated.
The result? More controversy, more alienated fans, and less excitement for the remake.
Now, the Daredevil: Born Again showrunner appears to be making the same mistake. Fans who adored the Netflix series aren’t looking for a watered-down “New York crime story” with more humor and less emotional depth. The appeal of Matt Murdock isn’t just his ability to beat criminals senseless; it’s the struggle within him—the constant pull between his faith, his sense of justice, and his humanity.
Describing some of the best episodes of the series as naval-gazing is next level audience reassurance for the new series.
Daredevil is built on his continued introspection, his actions being pulled between contrasting worlds. Punisher being the darker hero with definitive… pic.twitter.com/79ep7QaW72
— MauLer (@MauLer93) January 26, 2025
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As YouTube creator MauLer pointed out in a scathing critique, the introspection Scardapane dismisses is the very heart of Daredevil’s character.
“Describing some of the best episodes of the series as navel-gazing is next-level audience reassurance for the new series,” MauLer said. “Daredevil is built on his continued introspection, his actions being pulled between contrasting worlds. Punisher being the darker hero with definitive conviction was perfect as a foil. Who the f*** wouldn’t want more scenes about “their lot in life” when that defines their actions? We want to know the why, the how and the response to more challenges to their perspectives. Who wouldn’t want to know more about why these men are heroes?”
Scardapane’s remarks don’t inspire confidence in Born Again, but instead raise concerns that this series will lack the depth and gravitas that made Netflix’s Daredevil a classic. Marvel and Disney have a long history of misunderstanding its fanbase, and this latest debacle adds another chapter to that book.
Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle, The Punisher in the Daredevil: Born Again trailer – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
Instead of rallying the fanbase (which was happening after that first trailer dropped), Born Again is pushing them away before the first episode even airs.
If Marvel wants this series to succeed, it needs to stop tearing down what worked and start respecting the source material and the fans who cherish it. After all, you don’t win people over by insulting what they love.
Are you still excited for this show after the Daredevil: Born Again showrunner trashed the Netflix series? Is that what he did, in your opinion? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
I feel bad for the people who actually thought this might be decent.
Did anybody really expect that a Disney product will be good? I do appreciate Scardapane’s self report. This show will not be about heroes and the philosophy behind them. It will be the usual MCU slop filled with jokes.
Not that I trust Disney, at all, about anything, BUT…I actually agree with him about the naval gazing. Go back and watch the original show; it had looooong stretches of “slow and boring”. Not character buidling; not good pacing. Slow and boring.
Nothing, and I say NOTHING coming from Disney can be remotely good. Wake-up call at its finest.
When all the right-wing guys have been replaced by D.E.I. then you beget more DEI.
Eventually, evolution will see to it that DEI corporations die out faster than non-DEI corporations.
I have a feeling it maybe too late. The script is written the episode shot, and the game is over. The trailer looked great but I don’t think they have what it takes to make it Amazing again.