The Marvel TV series “Daredevil: Born Again” seems to be facing another delay and creative reboot, as revealed by The Hollywood Reporter. Despite actor Charlie Cox’s return as Daredevil, the show is undergoing significant changes.
Reportedly, writers Chris Ord and Matt Corman initially crafted a legal procedural approach that differed from the action-packed and intense Netflix version. Notably, Charlie Cox didn’t appear in his Daredevil costume until the fourth episode. Consequently, Marvel has decided to rethink the show’s original concept, leading to this creative reboot.
This project had previously faced a pause due to the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. During a screening in mid-June, Marvel executives viewed footage from the series. Despite only half of the 18 episodes being shot, they concluded that the project wasn’t meeting their expectations.
In response to these challenges, Marvel has parted ways with the head writers, Chris Ord and Matt Corman, and released the directors of upcoming episodes. The “Daredevil: Born Again” series is now in the process of a “creative reboot,” with Marvel actively seeking new writers and directors for the production.
The decision to reboot “Daredevil: Born Again” is part of a broader transformation in Marvel’s television division. This shift comes after the successful launch of “WandaVision” and the creation of over 50 hours of TV content since January 2021. Rather than adhering to the traditional TV model of developing pilots and greenlighting shows based on their quality, Marvel opted for a more dynamic approach, producing multi-million-dollar seasons of streaming TV on the fly.
To address the challenges faced in “Daredevil: Born Again” and future series, Marvel is now adjusting its approach, moving closer to the traditional television production model. They are making efforts to align their television production processes more closely with their highly regarded source material.
While “Daredevil: Born Again” faces uncertainties, it is expected that some of the existing footage will be retained. Additionally, writers Chris Ord and Matt Corman will receive executive producer credits for the two-season show. However, there are significant issues to resolve before production resumes.
Marvel is actively seeking experienced showrunners to lead the project from start to finish. This change in approach is aimed at ensuring creative consistency and quality throughout the series. The studio also plans to appoint full-time TV executives, further emphasizing their commitment to streaming and television projects, distinct from their film endeavors.
The future of “Daredevil: Born Again” remains uncertain, but Marvel is making significant efforts to overcome the challenges and deliver a series that aligns with their high standards. Actors such as Vincent D’Onofrio, who reprises his role as Wilson Fisk/Kingpin in the show, have expressed support for the creative process and emphasized that project evolution is a common occurrence in the industry.