The first season of Born Again strengthened the connection between the Daredevil universe and the MCU, suggesting that what happens in the series could affect the larger MCU. The series set up some large stakes, with Kingpin becoming mayor of New York City and implementing anti-vigilante policies.
Since the series is set in New York, Fisk’s policies may have an impact on other heroes in the city, including Spider-Man. Considering Born Again season 2 releases a few months before Brand New Day, the series may make a significant change to Kingpin’s storyline, since he likely won’t appear in Spider-Man’s upcoming film.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day Can’t Use Kingpin
While Tom Holland’s Spider-Man is an essential part of the MCU, the character isn’t owned by Marvel Studios. Spider-Man is still owned by Sony, and Marvel needs to make a deal with Sony that allows them to use the character in its universe.
Kingpin’s arrangement is slightly more confusing. In an interview with Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast (via CBR), D’Onofrio said that Marvel can only use him for television, but not in film.
“It’s a very hard thing to do, for Marvel to use my character. It’s a very hard thing to do, because of ownership and stuff. Right now, I’m only usable for television series. Different kinds of series, whatever it is, but not even a one-off Fisk movie or anything like that, it’s all caught up in rights and stuff.”
Speaking with The Playlist‘s Bingeworthy TV podcast, D’Onofrio said he won’t be in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. He seemed to confirm that Marvel still doesn’t have the movie rights for Kingpin.
“No. I think I’ll just wait until they have the rights to my character and they put me in one of those movies, and then I’ll figure it all out.”
Kingpin Likely Won’t Be Mayor By The End Of Daredevil: Born Again Season 2
Season 1 of Born Again ends with Kingpin taking over New York by establishing an anti-vigilante task force and locking up several of his enemies. Meanwhile, Matt is rounding up a crew to fight against Fisk, which may include Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones, who is returning to the MCU in Born Again season 2.
Due to Fisk’s anti-vigilante policies and presence, it would be hard for Brand New Day to take place in New York and not address Kingpin. If Kingpin is still mayor in Brand New Day, then his task force would be a major obstacle for Spider-Man, who was referenced by Kingpin in Born Again season 1.
Additionally, Jon Bernthal’s The Punisher is appearing in Brand New Day, further connecting the film to Born Again. The series has a way to remove Fisk from office before Spider-Man’s next film, as it’s building up Matt’s fight against Kingpin. Given potential continuity issues, it’s likely that Fisk won’t be New York City’s mayor by Born Again season 2’s finale.
- Release Date
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March 4, 2025
- Network
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Disney+
- Showrunner
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Dario Scardapane
- Directors
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Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson, David Boyd, Jeffrey Nachmanoff
- Writers
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Jesse Wigutow, Jill Blankenship, Thomas Wong, David Feige, Grainne Godfree
- Release Date
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July 31, 2026
- Director
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Destin Daniel Cretton
- Producers
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Amy Pascal, Kevin Feige, Rachel O’Connor, Avi Arad, Louis D’Esposito