While fans are still lamenting the cancellation of Netflix’sDaredevil, some are still hoping the character and his world will soon appear within the MCU. But according to the show’s creator Steven DeKnight,when it comes to recasting Marvel’s Netflix heroes, one of the cast members is simply irreplaceable.
When replying to a fan’s comment on Twitter about hoping to see Vincent D’Onofrio reprise his role as Kingpin within the MCU, DeKnight seemed to offer his advice on any future plans for the character. He wrote, “Recasting @vincentdonofrio would be like trying to recast @RobertDowneyJr as Tony Stark or @ChrisEvans as Steve Rogers. Impossible!”
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D’Onofrio appeared in theDaredevilseries as Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. Kingpin, a New York City businessman who was also secretly operating as a crime boss. While the show itself received plenty of acclaim during its run, D’Onofrio was often singled out as one of the highlights, bringing nuance and layers to a character who has been a prominent villain in the Marvel comics for years. Since the cancellation ofDaredevil, D’Onofrio has expressed interest in returning to the role. With rumors that Charlie Cox would be returning asMatt Murdock inSpider-Man: No Way Home, fans see the possibility of some of the Netflix heroes making their way over to the MCU.
The character of Kingpin first appeared in Marvel comics in 1967, where he was introduced as a Spider-Man villain. He continued to appear in Spider-Man stories as well as becoming an enemy for several New York City-based heroes. Eventually, he became best known asthe arch-nemesis to Daredevil. The character has previously appeared on the big screen, played by Michael Clarke Duncan in 2003’sDaredeviland Liev Schreiber provided the voice for an animated version of the character inSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
As impressive as D’Onofrio’s performance was, putting him in the same category asRobert Downey Jr. and Chris Evansin terms of legacy in their respective roles might be over-exaggerating things. But that doesn’t mean the DeKnight doesn’t have a point. While Kingpin didn’t become as iconic as Iron Man and Captain America, D’Onofrio’s performance will likely always be tied to the character. Seeing someone else step into the role when the character is still fresh in the minds of fans would be difficult. If Charlie Cox will indeed be appearing as Matt Murdock in the MCU, then they would be wise to bring D’Onofrio into the fold as well.
However, that does bring up an interesting dilemmaif Netflix characters are to join the MCU. Given how dark and violent these Netflix shows were, how much will these characters resemble their original version once they are a part of the more family-friendly MCU? While it will be a complicated scenario if it does come to pass, there’s no denying that D’Onofrio’s Kingpin would be a thrilling addition to the ever-growing MCU.
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