Rebuilt from the Ground Up: How Daredevil: Born Again Reshapes the Future of its Hit Series

The first three installments of “Marvel’s Daredevil” are often hailed as outstanding examples of superhero television. Yet, despite their popularity, they haven’t escaped criticism throughout the years. For instance, the second season received mixed reactions due to its handling of numerous characters and excessive focus on setting up the crossover for “The Defenders.” Thus, the upcoming Disney+ series “Daredevil: Born Again” has an opportunity to surpass the past by creating content that addresses fan feedback instead of simply repeating familiar material.

It appears that the latest adaptation of Hornhead for television may address a significant issue from the original Daredevil series, an issue that surfaced towards the end of its first season. The character Ben Urich, played by Vondie Curtis-Hall, was killed by Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) during that final stretch. However, in the upcoming Daredevil: Born Again, a new character will be introduced to take on the role of Ben Urich in Matt’s life.

Ben Urich’s Importance to Daredevil

Ben Urich made his debut in Daredevil issue #153 back in July 1978. Initially portrayed as a Daily Bugle reporter digging up information on Wilson Fisk’s suspicious dealings, he later became a significant figure for numerous street-level heroes in New York City beyond just Daredevil. Significant comic book storylines featuring The Punisher or Spider-Man often included Ben Urich in some manner. If any ordinary citizen in New York was going to confront the wealthy and powerful about their corruption, it would likely be Ben Urich.

In the realm of Daredevil, I’ve found myself playing an increasingly significant role that extended beyond the pages of comic books. I was brought to life by Joe Pantoliano in the 2003 Daredevil film and later became one of the central characters in the first season of the series. Unfortunately, my journey ended at the hands of Fisk, a move that underscored his depravity effectively. However, my absence has left a noticeable void in the Marvel Cinematic Universe ever since. Over the past decade, as more and more of the New York superheroes I interacted with have made their way into live-action, I’ve been deeply missed.

Jon Bernthal’s character, The Punisher, or Tom Holland’s character, Spider-Man, would have been fantastic co-stars for this version of Urich. Moreover, since Disney can now use some Marvel characters that Sony has the rights to, Urich could have made his live-action debut at The Daily Bugle for the first time! Unfortunately, his passing prevented all of this from happening. Yet, there’s a chance now with the new cast member in “Daredevil: Born Again,” BB Urich (played by Genneya Walton).

When Walton joined the series, it became clear that her mysterious character was a journalist connected to someone from the initial three seasons of the Netflix show. It’s not rocket science to deduce, given her last name and occupation, that Walton is portraying a relative of the original Ben Urich character who has taken up his former profession.

BB Walton Can Play An Important MCU Role Going Forward

In the comic books, Ben Urich serves as a vital ally to various superheroes, including Daredevil, providing a realistic, profoundly human viewpoint even when events become excessively spectacular. Although Ben Urich’s demise in live-action prevents him from maintaining this role long term, BB Urich (presumably his daughter or close relative) could step into that position. Moreover, her youth could create intriguing interactions with numerous superheroes residing in New York City and its surroundings. Peter Parker and Kamala Khan, in particular, might develop a captivating relationship with this contemporary journalist.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the fact that BB Urich is keeping Ben Urich’s memory alive in some capacity. With so many diverse storylines swirling around in subsequent seasons of Daredevil and other Marvel/Netflix productions, it was all too easy to overlook this ordinary man who stood up fearlessly against Fisk. However, if BB Urich truly steps into the spotlight in Born Again, then Ben Urich will finally receive the recognition he deserves – a bouquet of roses, so to speak. Moreover, his significant role over the long term in the comics could potentially be brought to life on screen through BB Urich’s adventures.

Despite the mystery surrounding BB Urich’s character in “Born Again,” it remains unknown how she will ultimately be portrayed when the series debuts. She may embody a more skeptical persona, requiring motivation to adopt Ben’s ethical standpoint. Regardless of their creative decisions for BB Urich, this character has the potential to correct an early misstep in “Daredevil” by bringing back Ben Urich, who was prematurely killed off. Although it took a decade following his death to revisit that choice, it’s better late than never!

Daredevil’s first three seasons are on Disney+, and Daredevil: Born Again premieres on March 4th.

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2025-01-16 01:10