Daredevil: Born Again” Ignoring “She-Hulk

As a die-hard film aficionado, I’m thrilled to share that Daredevil: Born Again‘s showrunner, Dario Scardapane, has made it official – the contentious portrayal of Daredevil in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, particularly his criticized “walk of shame” and one-night stand with Jennifer Walters, will be disregarded in the Disney+ reboot. This news brings a sigh of relief to many fans who have been eagerly anticipating the return of Daredevil!

This disclosure, made during an exchange with SFX Magazine, seems to be in line with a larger strategy by Marvel, appearing to subtly move away from the apparent fallout surrounding the She-Hulk situation.

According to Scardapane, even though Daredevil’s previous appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) can be considered canonical, his interpretation of “Born Again” offers some flexibility to acknowledge or ignore specific events that occurred during those appearances.

It’s accurate to consider Daredevil as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but not all the related events will be fully explored. One such instance might be his one-night stand with She-Hulk.

Charlie Cox as Daredevil in the Daredevil: Born Again trailer – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment

For those who felt upset about the humorous take on Daredevil in She-Hulk, this development should be pleasing as it seems to be heading towards a more authentic representation.

Marvel’s decision to sideline She-Hulk appears to go beyond Daredevil: Born Again.

Actor Tatiana Maslany, who played the lead role, has openly expressed doubts about a second season of ‘She-Hulk’. Notably, Disney+ took down the series from its main Marvel logo back in November 2024, opting instead for Deadpool.

Although Disney hasn’t publicly stated their position, the action suggests a strong intention to discreetly dismiss or overlook the series, “She-Hulk”.

It’s quite understandable that Marvel is ready to shift focus, given the contentious reception of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. The series, which has gone down in MCU history as one of the most polarizing shows, was criticized for its overt promotion of identity politics and its perceived dismissive stance towards fans. A standout moment that sparked significant controversy was when Jennifer Walters trivialised Bruce Banner’s long-standing pain and anger – stemming from years of trauma and heartbreak – by equating it to her own experiences of street harassment. To many viewers, this scene epitomized the series’ seemingly insensitive handling of storytelling.

The show, She-Hulk, significantly intensified its contentious position by casting “toxic fans” as the principal antagonists in its plot. This move seems to counteract the criticism towards Marvel’s growing emphasis on female characters, but instead, it appears to have further alienated viewers. By openly ridiculing and vilifying its critics, the show abandoned the intricacy and subtly that used to characterize Marvel storytelling. Fans who had valid concerns were labeled as “toxic,” effectively shutting down meaningful discourse.

Scardapane’s choice to separate “Born Again” from “She-Hulk” might be a recognition of past mistakes. But his critique of Netflix’s “Daredevil,” labeling it overly self-reflective and accusing it of excessive self-contemplation, could potentially counteract the positive sentiment he’s building among fans.

Speaking as a devoted fan of the original Marvel’s Daredevil series, I must express my disappointment over Scardapane’s critique of its nuanced storytelling. The show’s deep dive into Matt Murdock’s internal conflicts was something I greatly appreciated and resonated with me. His dismissal of this aspect has left a sour taste in the mouths of long-term enthusiasts like myself.

As a film enthusiast, I’m thrilled about the choice to tone down She-Hulk’s debatable aspects, as it boosts the potential for “Born Again” to shine. It’s reassuring to know that the Daredevil roaming the streets of New York in this series won’t be the one making awkward walk-of-shame jokes. However, if Scardapane truly aims to captivate fans, he should lean into the depth and self-reflection that made Netflix’s Daredevil so compelling.

The main issue at hand is if “Born Again” will manage to preserve the character’s profound past while also forging a new path. Here’s hoping that Marvel has taken note of their errors and will make the necessary adjustments.

Read More

2025-01-28 18:55