The Marvel Cinematic Universe has recast its first Daredevil character, as a new actress is playing Kingpin’s wife in Daredevil: Born Again. The return of Charlie Cox’s Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin in Phase 4 brought along new hopes that Marvel Studios could revive Netflix’s Daredevil. Marvel Studios has since announced an 18-episode Disney+ series starring the two former Netflix actors, with recent news confirming that Jon Bernthal’s Punisher is also heading to the MCU. Questions have remained about what other actors could return to their roles and if Marvel would recast any Netflix characters.
It has now been revealed by THR that Daredevil: Born Again has recast Kingpin’s wife, marking the first time that Marvel Studios has recast a character from one of the Marvel Netflix shows. The outlet reported that Sandrine Holt (The Expanse) will play Vanessa Fisk in Daredevil: Born Again. The role was originally played by Ayelet Zurer in Netflix’s Daredevil. It is not known if Marvel Studios attempted to bring Zurer back in the role or if Fisk’s wife was always going to be recast for the MCU series.
Will Other Daredevil Characters Be Recast For Born Again?
The confirmation that Daredevil: Born Again has recast a Netflix show character could mean that other recastings are possible for Marvel Studios. The original Netflix series covered a lot of ground when it comes to Matt Murdock’s story in the comics, using characters like Elektra, Bullseye, Stick, Foggy Nelson, Karen Page, and more. The decision to recast Kingpin’s wife opens the door for different actors to take on these roles. With recent reports suggesting that Elden Henson and Deborah Ann Woll will not return as Foggy and Karen, they are two such characters that Daredevil: Born Again could also recast.
Marvel Studios recasting Netflix characters for Daredevil: Born Again will further the debates about if Daredevil is MCU canon. Vanessa Fisk being played by a new actress does make it possible that she, Daredevil, Kingpin, and Punisher are all variants in Earth-616 that make the Netflix shows part of the MCU multiverse. However, it is also important to remember how many MCU characters have been recast from the movies already. Several actors have even played multiple roles within the same continuity. As a result, Kingpin’s wife being recast does not necessarily sway the Daredevil MCU canon arguments in either direction.
The Daredevil character recastings continuing significantly could change that. Bringing back Cox’s Daredevil, D’Onofrio’s Kingpin, and Bernthal’s Punisher is exciting, and recasting Fisk’s wife may have come down to scheduling. However, if Daredevil: Born Again recasts Foggy, Karen, Bullseye, Elektra, and other characters so Marvel Studios could put its own spins on those characters and forget about their previous interactions, that will be quite telling in regard to the canon questions.
Source: THR