In a new interview with the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast, Drew Goddard, who was part of developing Netflix’s Daredevil TV show, shared that the live-action series was not initially primed for the small screen, but rather as a two-part feature film. The screenwriter stated, “I was around when they were doing one of the Avengers, just hanging out, talking about other things, and I was always like, ‘Why aren’t you making Daredevil the movie? I don’t understand.’ I think there was concern that it was too adult. The Marvel model at that time was definitely not a play to adults.”
Goddard elaborated, “I remember saying, ‘Well, here’s my vision. My vision is that the first one would be The Kingpin. Find a way to make that special.'” For the second Daredevil movie, he revealed that “the villain of the second movie should be The Punisher. I remember that everyone in the room was like, ‘Oh, that’s exciting.’ “ The idea of having Matt and Frank Castle together was extremely exciting for him, as he commented that “I love anytime two quote-unquote ‘heroes’ do battle with each other, right? We got to do it. We just did it on Netflix, which I think was the right fit for that.”
Would A Daredevil Movie Been Better For Marvel Studios?
Ever since Charlie Cox brought the iconic superhero into the MCU timeline, he has become one of the all-time favorites in the franchise, and a major part behind his depiction of the Marvel vigilante is specifically the Netflix series. and the structure that came with it. There is only so much a two-hour film can do for a character like Daredevil versus having a TV show that, at the time, had 13 episodes per season, where there is more room to explore the larger mythology and themes.
It’s also crucial to remember that at the time, gritty superheroes like Daredevil were not really what Marvel Studios were exploring on the big screen, as the Avengers have always been the primary focus for the films. But for more intimate and character-driven payoffs, Netflix was the platform to help make Daredevil as popular as he is today with general viewers. That is why the Marvel legend has continued to have such a strong following in the MCU to this day, including with Daredevil: Born Again.
Had a film been made instead, it could have potentially meant that Cox had never been cast, as it was the original Marvel Television team that tapped the actor to bring Daredevil into the MCU. His portrayal of Matt Murdock has become as highly regarded as Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man or Chris Evans’ Captain America, and it’s thanks to the creatives who were behind the Netflix drama. In the end, Goddard’s plans with Kingpin and Punisher also served as a great structure for the original TV show.
The original Daredevil TV show is available through streaming on Disney+, while new episodes of Daredevil: Born Again season 2 drop every Tuesday on the platform.