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  • The Ultimate List of What to Watch Before ‘Daredevil: Born Again’

    The Ultimate List of What to Watch Before ‘Daredevil: Born Again’

    Six years after being canceled by Netflix, Daredevil will be born again on Disney Plus beginning March 4th. After initially planning to make Daredevil: Born Again a “whole new deal” with no connection to the three seasons that streamed on Netflix between 2015 and 2018, Marvel Studios switched gears, reconning the events and characters of the gritty drama into the MCU as part of a creative retooling led by showrunner Dario Scardapane and the directing duo of Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead.

    During our restart of all the creative on Daredevil: Born Again, all the creatives got together and said, “Look, this is how we’ve got to do it now.” So we are for sure only speaking about it in terms of being directly connected to the original Daredevil, and that’s a great thing. It brings in a lot of cool stories and all the collateral story that happened in those original three seasons. So we now get to start this Born Again situation with all of that history behind us and the outcome of all that history. So we’re all talking about Daredevil: Born Again in those terms now.

    -Vincent D’Onofrio

    While that decision reportedly resulted in very positive changes to the quality of Daredevil: Born Again, it also greatly added to the required reading fans might choose to do if they’re not intimately familiar with Daredevil and its cast of characters. And if 39 hour-long episodes of that series aren’t enough, an important chapter in Matt Murdock ‘s Netflix story was told in The Defenders and Jon Bernthal‘s Frank Castle, who debuted in Daredevil Season 2 before starting in two seasons of The Punisher, will also be featured in Daredevil: Born Again...and that’s just the Netflix stuff!

    Though it might seem overwhelming, it’s only because it truly is. However, as you’ve no doubt come to expect, we’ve got you covered with an incredibly detailed Ultimate List of What to Watch Before Daredevil: Born Again!

    Tier One

    Preparing yourself for Daredevil: Born Again will be no small task. With the decision to canonize the entirety of Netflix’s Defenders-verse series, the required reading for Daredevil: Born Again will take just under 2 days worth of time…you better get started.

    Daredevil Season, 1 (2015)

    🍅 99%

    Reliving the Gritty Streets: Recapping ‘Daredevil’ Season 1

    Netflix’s 2013 deal with Marvel Television changed the landscape of comic book content. In 2015, Daredevil blazed a bloody path into homes, delivering an unprecedented brand of superhero TV. Charlie Cox cemented himself as THE Matt Murdock/Daredevil and found an incredible equal and opposite force of nature in Vincent D’Onofrio‘s unforgettable turn as Wilson Fisk. Though 13 hours of any season of television will have its faults, Season 1 of Daredevil remains the highpoint of Marvel TV entertainment 10 years later.

    This deal is unparalleled in its scope and size, and reinforces our commitment to deliver Marvel’s brand, content and characters across all platforms of storytelling. This serialized epic expands the narrative possibilities of on-demand television and gives fans the flexibility to immerse themselves how and when they want in what’s sure to be a thrilling and engaging adventure.

    -Alan Fine, President of Marvel Entertainment, 2013

    Marvel Studios’ decision to rework Daredevil: Born Again into essentially a fourth season of Daredevil means that all the foundation built in Season 1, for both Daredevil and Kingpin, will indeed matter to full enjoy the new season. Matt’s relationships with Karen and Foggy and Wilson’s relationship with Vanessa will be key elements in the next arcs for each of them.

    Daredevil Season, 2 (2016)

    🍅 81%

    Shadows of Justice and Vengeance: Recapping Daredevil Season 2

    Though it was not as highly regarded as Season 1, the second season of Daredevil is a must watch for fans as they prepare for Daredevil: Born Again. Not only does it introduce Frank Castle into Hell’s Kitchen, but Season 2 also delivers some key Daredevil mythology by exploring the Hand and Matt’s relationship with Elektra.

    If possible, Season 2 may be more violent than its predecessor, thanks almost entirely to Jon Bernthal‘s murderous Castle. It’s also likely that Frank’s relationship with Karen Page, the exploration of which extended into The Punisher, will factor into Daredevil: Born Again.

    The Defenders (2017)

    🍅 78%

    Netflix’s crossover event brought together the stars of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist but ultimately fell a little flat. It feels a lot more like another season of Daredevil and does some real heavy lifting for Season 3.

    Daredevil, Season 3 (2018)

    🍅 97%

    Redemption, Resurgence, and the Shadow of the Devil: Recapping Daredevil Season 3

    After sidelining Fisk for a good portion of Season 2, the third and final season brings him back into the spotlight and face-to-face with Matt. It also introduces Wilson Bethel‘s Bullseye who joined the cast of Daredevil: Born Again and looks to be even more dangerous this time around.

    Tier Two

    These three projects should be the mustard and relish to your Daredevil hot dog. You don’t need to watch any of these to consume Daredevil: Born Again; however, you’ll find yourself enjoying it more thanks to the extra boost.

    The Punisher, Season 1 (2017)

    A Gritty Tale of Vengeance, Crime, and Redemption: Recapping The Punisher Season 1

    🍅 68%

    The Punisher, Season 2 (2019)

    🍅 61%

    A Riveting Saga of Revenge, Redemption, and Resilience: Recapping The Punisher Season 2

    Unfortunately, neither season of The Punisher is must see TV, not for enjoying Daredevil: Born Again or even in general terms. It’s unclear just how large of a role Frank Castle is set to play in the news series, especially after the creative overhaul, but it’s definitely more than a cameo and he WILL be working with “Red” for at least the better part of one episode. If you’ve never seen the Netflix series and want a little background on this particular version of The Punisher, knock yourself out and squeeze in 26 hours of madness; if not, you’ll still know everything you really need to know from watching Daredevil and from exposition in Daredevil: Born Again.

    Hawkeye (2021)

    🍅 92%

    If Daredevil: Born Again was JUST a Daredevil show, Hawkeye would not be on the list; however, Wilson Fisk’s story is just as much a part of the MCU’s Daredevil lore as Matt Murdock’s and a chapter of it is told here. If you’re short on time, you can watch Episodes 5 and 6, which are the only two in which Fisk physically appears, but Hawkeye is good enough that it’s worth the watch if you have the time.

    Echo (2024)

    🍅 70%

    Though Fisk is a major player in Echo, the project’s identity as a Marvel Spotlight series should mean that any ground covered in it that’s relevant to Daredevil: Born Again will likely be explained within the framework of the new series.

    No. I don’t think that she would like that idea. I think it’s a terrible idea. He’s such a dirty crook. He’s got a lot of things going on. I don’t think him running for a position of political power would be a good idea.

    -Alaqua Cox

    While Fisk does play a major role in the body of the series, it’s his appearance in a credit scenes that ties directly to Daredevil: Born Again. And though it could be argued that alone should make Echo a Tier One project, it’s probably going to be covered in some sort of pre-Episode 1 highlight reel.

    Tier Three

    Here only for those of you who want to be fully prepared for anything that could happen in Daredevil: Born Again and to be able to say you’ve watched every MCU-set project in which Daredevil has appeared, two Tier Three projects are just fun visits with an otherwise very serious character while another will lay the foundation for a character appearance.

    Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

    🍅 93%

    He’s a really good lawyer.

    As revealed by our own Charles Villanueva in 2020, Cox made the jump into the MCU in Spider-Man: No Way Home. While it was only a cameo, it generated a lot of excitement and was the first step toward fully integrating Daredevil into the MCU. While Spidey and other NYC heroes will be mentioned during Daredevil: Born Again, it’s only worth remembering that the Murdock served as Peter’s legal counsel. Since Doctor Strange’s spell would ensure that he does not know who Peter Parker is, this is essentially a dead end.

    Ms. Marvel (2022)

    🍅 98%

    Though the full extent of his role in the series is not clear, promotional materials for the series have revealed that Kamala Khan’s father, Yusuf, will appear in Daredevil: Born Again. Ms. Marvel is one of Marvel Studios’ best streaming efforts so if you haven’t seen it in a while—or at all–give it a look.

    She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022)

    🍅 79%

    Episodes 8 and 9 of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law marked the MCU debut of Daredevil. While some fans bristled at the more carefree vibe Cox brought to the role in his appearance, it certainly fit the tone of the series, as head writer Jessica Gao explained. “They get to take a little bit of a comedy vacation,” said Gao of guest starring heroes like Cox’s Man Without Fear. “Of course, after our show, they get to go back to save the world, saving the universe, very serious, intense story…“

    I’ve made it no secret that I’m a huge fan of Tatiana’s and the fun we had on She-Hulk was some of the best fun I’ve had as that character. I thought she was amazing as Jennifer Walters and I would be a huge… certainly an advocate of her showing up in our show if she’s free and available and willing and all of those things. So I would love for that to happen. I have no idea if that is possible.

    -Charlie Cox

    While Cox admittedly had a blast portraying a different side of the character and expressed a desire to work with She-Hulk star Tatiana Maslany again, it’s unlikely that his appearance on the show will impact Daredevil: Born Again in any significant way.

    About Daredevil: Born Again

    Marvel Television’s Daredevil: Born Again stars Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Margarita Levieva, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Zabryna Guevara, Nikki James, Genneya Walton, Arty Froushan, Clark Johnson, Michael Gandolfini, with Ayelet Zurer and Jon Bernthal.

    In Marvel Television’s Daredevil: Born Again, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), a blind lawyer with heightened abilities is fighting for justice through his bustling law firm, while former mob boss Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) pursues his own political endeavors in New York. When their past identities begin to emerge, both men find themselves on an inevitable collision course.

    -Official synopsis for Daredevil: Born Again

    Dario Scardapane is showrunner. Episodes are directed by Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, Michael Cuesta, Jeffrey Nachmanoff, and David Boyd; and executive producers are Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Sana Amanat, Chris Gary, Dario Scardapane, Chris Ord & Matt Corman, and Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead.

    Daredevil: Born Again launches on Disney+ on March 4, 2025.

  • Kathryn Hahn Eyed for Major Role in Disney’s Next Live-action Reimagining

    Kathryn Hahn Eyed for Major Role in Disney’s Next Live-action Reimagining

    Kathryn Hahn‘s portrayal of MCU’s wicked witch, Agatha Harkness, in the 2021 streaming series WandaVision was so enchanting that the powers at be at Marvel Studios greenlit am Agatha-centric spinoff. Originally titled Agatha: House of Harkness, the series hit D+ in the Fall of 2024 as Agatha All Along and was a huge hit for Marvel Television. Hahn’s performance was widely praised, earning her a Golden Globe nomination and leaving fans asking for more of the character. While it’s starting to sound as though the Marvel Parliament is listening and considering a Season 2 of Agatha All Along, Hahn may be preparing to inhabit the role of another power-hungry witch.

    According to industry insider Daniel Richtman, Hahn is at the top of Disney’s list for the role of Mother Gothel in the recently announced live-action reimagining of Tangled.

    Also included in Richtman’s report is news that in relation to Disneyland’s recently revealed Villain’s Land attraction, the company will be producing multiple live-action, villain-centric projects and that Hahn, or whoever lands the role of Mother Gothel, would be in line for a Mother Gothel film or series.

    There’s little doubt that Hahn would be excellent in the role. Truth be told, Gothel and Agatha have quite a bit in common, allowing Hahn to tap into the irreverent energy she’s brought to her performance as the MCU’s ancient witch.

  • ‘Ahsoka’ Season 2 Reportedly Enlisting Ewan McGregor for an Insane ‘Clone Wars’ Flashback

    ‘Ahsoka’ Season 2 Reportedly Enlisting Ewan McGregor for an Insane ‘Clone Wars’ Flashback

    Through a series of flashbacks distorted by the power of The World Between Worlds, Ahsoka saw the return of Hayden Christensen as a younger, Clone Wars-era Anakin Skywalker. Fans revealed as Skyguy and Snips, played by Ariana Greenblatt, brought moments and character designs from the beloved animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, to live-action for the first time.

    With Ahsoka stranded on Peridea under the watchful presence of Anakin’s Force ghost, the return of Christensen for Season 2 of the D+ streaming series always seemed a certainty. And so when insiders, such as Daniel Richtman, reported that the actor was indeed on board for Season 2 of Ahsoka, it went largely unnoticed. However, a new report from Kristian Harloff has certainly captured the attention and imagination of fans, especially those who have a fondness for The Clone Wars animated series.

    (L-R): Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Ahsoka Tano (Ariana Greenblatt) in Lucasfilm’s STAR WARS: AHSOKA, exclusively on Disney+. ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
    According to Harloff, not only is Christensen on board to return in Ahsoka Season 2, this time in a “pretty big role”, he will be joined not only by Greenblatt but also Ewan McGregor, who will reprise the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

    While the return of Kenobi is a surprise to be sure, the most likely scenario for having the character appear in even more exciting. In the Fall of 2024, McGregor explained that Lucasfilm was exploring ideas for a potential second season of Obi-Wan Kenobi. The star also expressed a sincere desire to reunite with Christensen and to do so in the armor the character wore in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. And while a second season of Obi-Wan Kenobi may not happen anytime soon, it’s very likely McGregor will get his wish to suit up in the armor alongside Christensen in Season 2 of Ahsoka.

    That armor! Putting on that armor would be a great joy. Then me and Hayden can really get back together.

    -Ewan McGregor

    Stranded! Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan Ahsoka Tano are caught in the middle of a treacherous battle between good and evil. The scales now tip toward the dark side. Our three warriors must guard against attack as they plan their escape. A great weight has been placed on Anakin’s shoulders, for it is now that he must face who he really is…

    As seen in the closing moments of the season finale of Ahsoka, Peridea holds some connection to the Mortis gods. And while Baylan Skoll seemed much closer to stepping into that mystery than Ahsoka, the latter has a history with the mysterious beings–and one she shared with Anakin and Obi-Wan. While there’s no mention of it in Harloff’s report, it’s incredibly likely that Ahsoka and Star Wars: The Clone Wars creator Dave Filoni is planning to incorporate a live-action flashback to The Clone Wars three-episode Season 3 Mortis arc. If that is indeed Filoni’s intention, it would explain why Greenblatt would be returning alongside Christensen and McGregor, both of whom could otherwise appear as Force ghosts.

    Source: The Kristian Harloff Show

  • The Skinny on Marvel Animation’s ‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’

    The Skinny on Marvel Animation’s ‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’

    Marvel Studios will kick off a very busy 2025 on January 29th with Marvel Animation’s Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. Originally intended as a canonical prequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming, the series, which was initially titled Spider-Man: Freshman Year, underwent some significant changes in 2022, morphing into a multiversal adventure when the creative team, led by Jeff Trammell, realized setting it on the MCU’s Sacred Timeline limited their storytelling. “It started out as ‘Okay it’s Spider-Man’s freshman year, he’s going to be a freshman, can we get away with this being entirely in the MCU?’ and very early on in the development process, we realized how locked in that actually made us,” said Marvel Television’s head honcho, Brad Winderbaum. “We couldn’t really use his rogues gallery, we couldn’t really use his origin,” Winderbaum continued, “It was not fun, honestly. We would’ve had to put so many limiters on our story to get it to lock into canon.“

    Retitled as Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, the retooled series now includes an impressive aggregation of supporting characters, including some not traditionally a part of Peter Parker’s circle. The overhaul also allowed Trammell to include some classic Spider-Man rogues, such as Rhino and The Scorpion, which would not have been available to them had the series remained set in the Sacred Timeline.

    “You’re going to see some familiar faces — and if you’re a fan of Chameleon, you’re going to see a few of his faces,” teased Trammell. “You’re also going to see Scorpion, as well as a few characters who may seem new, like Speed Demon or Butane. We have a huge rogues gallery to play with, and so we’re looking forward to putting some of them in the forefront.”

    Though Trammell and company ditched the original pitch for the freedom offered by the multiversal setting, they did hold onto some familiar bits and pieces of Tom Holland’s MCU-set Spidey’s story. In some ways, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man will play out like an extended episode of What If…? in which one change will lead to a cascade of changes for Peter Parker, including the identity of his mentor. Rather than Parker, voiced by Hudson Thames, being taken under the iron wing of Tony Stark, he’ll find himself under the tutelage of Norman Osborn, voiced by Colman Domingo.

    Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Hudson Thames) and Norman Osborn (Colman Domingo) in Marvel Animation’s YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 MARVEL. All Rights Reserved.

    Well, like we said, in the panel, it follows the pattern that you see in [Captain America:] Civil War. Down to Peter getting the broken Blu-ray player from the trash and he walks into his department for the famous moment where Tony Stark is waiting for him to offer him the stark internship and take him to Berlin. But because of things that happen in the multiverse because of new, random occurrences, it’s not Tony Stark who’s waiting for him there. It’s Norman Osborn and that sends his life in an unexpected trajectory that collides him with many unexpected characters in the Marvel universe.

    -Brad Winderbaum

    “It was Jeff Trammell who had the idea to cast Colman Domingo as Norman Osborn,” explained Winderbaum. “The character is such a rich and complicated mentor for Peter, so we really needed an actor who could deliver many different dimensions. You can see in his work that he’s so multifaceted, so I can’t wait for the world to see his version of Norman.”

    Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is an animated series that follows Peter Parker on his way to becoming a hero, with a journey unlike we’ve ever seen and a style that celebrates the character’s early comic book roots.

    -Official synopsis, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

    And so, perhaps for the best, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, morphed into a hybrid drawing from Spidey stories across all mediums. “It does have a lot of DNA that is very similar to the MCU depiction of the Tom Holland Spider-Man, but it really also draws all the way back to Steve Ditko,” Winderbaum explained. “It’s adjacent to the main continuity but really speaks to what is inherent about the character.”

    And while many fans certainly know and love Holland‘s Spider-Man and have enjoyed his stories in the pages of Marvel Comics for decades, others, including Trammell, were introduced to the Wallcrawler through previous animated efforts such as the beloved mid-90s animated Spider-Man series. “We have the privilege of following the movies and shows, so we pay homage to them as well as the comics,” he said. “We build on things we’ve seen before but present them in new ways. We use those expectations to our advantage and turn things away from where you might expect.“

    With the events of the series rearranging the pieces of Peter’s life, fans will find that everything has changed, including his friend group. Without MJ and Ned by his side, Peter will find himself befriending some characters that even longtime Spidey fans may not be familiar with. “I’m excited for people to see new twists on classic characters, and I’m also excited to introduce characters that aren’t normally featured in Spider-Man stories.”

    (Second from Left-R) Pearl Pangan (Cathy Ang), Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Hudson Thames) and Nico Minoru (Grace Song) in Marvel Animation’s YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. ?? 2024 MARVEL. All Rights Reserved.

    And so while Peter will find some familiar allies in Doctor Strange and Daredevil, voiced by Charlie Cox, he will also be hanging out with Runaways mainstay Nico Minoru and Pearl Pagan, a character relatively new in the pages of Marvel Comics. According to Winderbaum, despite being new to Spidey’s sphere, they’ll follow the longtime pattern of being more than just sidekicks and one-note page fillers in Peter’s story. “There’s a reason why we changed the title to Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. It’s about the neighborhood. It’s an ensemble show. Every character is well-defined and has amazing arcs, from Peter and Nico to Lonnie and Pearl.”

    Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, a 10-episode series, begins streaming on Disney Plus on January 29th.

    The voice cast includes Hudson Thames, Colman Domingo, Eugene Byrd, Grace Song, Zeno Robinson, Hugh Dancy, and Charlie Cox. The head writer is Jeff Trammell and Mel Zwyer is the supervising director. Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, and Trammell serve as executive producers. 

    Sources: Phase Hero, The Walt Disney Company

  • ‘Ahsoka’ Season 2 Adds ‘Game of Thrones’ Alum Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll

    ‘Ahsoka’ Season 2 Adds ‘Game of Thrones’ Alum Rory McCann as Baylan Skoll

    Arguably one of the most complete Star Wars streaming series to have hit Disney Plus, Ahsoka ultimately seemed positioned as the fulcrum of the New Republic Era. The events of the finale, which saw both Thrawn and Ezra Bridger escape exile on Peridea and return home, will certainly be pivotal in whatever happens next in the Mandoverse. However, with Ahsoka, Sabine, Shin and Baylan Skoll left behind in Peridea, it was also clear that Dave Filoni had big plans to explore the nature of the Force through a further exploration of The Ones.

    Those plans were thrown into disorder when Ray Stevenson, who so brilliantly portrayed the enigmatic Skoll, passed away suddenly and tragically in May, 2023. It was unclear how Stevenson’s death would impact Filoni’s plans for Season 2 of Ahsoka but now, we have our answer.

    (Center): Baylan Skoll (Ray Stevenson) with with New Republic Security Guards in Lucasfilm’s STAR WARS: AHSOKA, exclusively on Disney+. ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
    As first reported by Jeff “The In” Sneider and then by the Hollywood trades, Rory McCann, who memorably portrayed the brutal Hound on Game of Thrones, has been cast as Baylan Skoll.

    Production on Season 2 of Ahsoka is slated to kick off at Loncross Studios in the UK in April. While McCann‘s casting is the first news to drop in connection with the new season of the series, it certainly won’t be the last. Despite the likelihood that the rest of the main cast of Season 1 will return, it’s likely that Filoni will have sprinkled in a handful of other characters from Star Wars Rebels in order to continue their stories.

    Sources: The Insneider, THR

  • Latest ‘Spider-Man 4’ Rumor Has Spidey Teaming Up with a Surprising Partner to Take On the Hulk

    Latest ‘Spider-Man 4’ Rumor Has Spidey Teaming Up with a Surprising Partner to Take On the Hulk

    With Spider-Man 4 scheduled to be in theaters in just over 18 months, the clock is ticking on the project’s production timeline. Though the film’s star, Tom Holland, confirmed plans for cameras to roll this summer, reports continue to come in that Sony and Marvel Studios have yet to finalize a script for the next installment in the Wallcrawler’s MCU-set franchise despite Holland sharing excitement for an early draft.

    We have a creative and a pitch and a draft which is excellent. It needs work but the writers are doing a great job and I read it three weeks ago and it really lit a fire in me. Zendaya and I sat down and read it together and we at times were like bouncing around the living room. Like this is a real movie worthy of the fans’ respect, but there [are] a few things we need to figure out before we can get that really going. But it’s exciting and I’m really, really excited about it.

    -Tom Holland on the Spider-Man 4 script, October 2024

    With Destin Daniel Cretton taking the reigns from Jon Watts, who directed the first three Holland-led Spidey films, Spider-Man 4 seemed to be headed in the right direction in the Fall; however, as Holland explained, each MCU film is ultimately–and sometimes unfortunately–part of “a large machine” and has to “benefit the bigger picture”…and that statement could do a long way in explaining the latest rumors about some surprising Spider-Man 4 co-stars.

    Obviously, one of the things to like bear in mind with Marvel is that there is, your film is a small cog in a large machine, and that machine has got to keep running, and you need to make sure that you can fit into that timeline at the right time to benefit the bigger picture.

    -Tom Holland

    According to John Roca and his Hot Mic Podcast co-host, Jeff “The In” Sneider, Marvel and Sony have considered–and still may be considering–pitting Holland’s Spidey against Mark Ruffalo‘s Hulk in Spider-Man 4. And if that weren’t enough to have fans fired up about the fourth film, Roca added that he had also heard that Jon Bernthal‘s Frank Castle would join the fray, teaming with Spider-Man to slow down the Jade Giant! If there’s any truth to the possibility of the Hulk going on a rampage in New York in the next Spidey film, it might well serve as the opening chapter of the studio’s long-rumored World War Hulk event.

    Though Sneider didn’t speak to the possible presence of The Punisher in Spider-Man 4, the character did make his first appearance in the pages of Spider-Man comics and has teamed up with Spidey on more than one occasion. It’s also worth noting that Holland and Bernthal have worked together in the past, including on the film Pilgrimage. During production on Pilgrimage, the two actors were both auditioning for their current Marvel roles and, according to Bernthal, the two “were constantly making tapes for Marvel – just acting together.“

    At this point, with everyone from Mephisto to Knull to Wilson Fisk rumored to be the baddie of Spider-Man 4, there’s simply no reason to take any one of these rumors more seriously than any other. However, with Captain America: Brave New World introducing at least one new Hulk and persistent rumors of Marvel Studios attempting to find a way to bring World War Hulk(s) to the MCU, this one is at least worth keeping an eye on.

    Source: Hot Mic, Digitial Spy

  • Details from Scrapped ‘Spider-Man 4’ Script Reveal a Pair of Abandoned Villains

    Details from Scrapped ‘Spider-Man 4’ Script Reveal a Pair of Abandoned Villains

    Like Spider-Man: No Way Home before it, Spider-Man 4 has become a rumor mill circus. Rumors have truly ranged from the most mundane to the most magnificent and everywhere in between; however, recent rumors suggest that the script is still a work in progress even as the film barrels toward a summer start of production.

    Whatever story the film ultimately ends up telling, there will always be interest in what it might have been. And while fans wait to learn whether or not it’s a street-level civil war, features Knull invading the MCU’s Earth-616 or something entirely different, a new report from a trusted insider has revealed that at least one scrapped draft featured two classic Spidey rogues who had already debuted in the MCU…and one of them is a villain fans have been hoping to see more of since 2017.

    According to Marvel Studios insider Daniel Richtman, before the most recent round of rewrites, Spider-Man 4 would have seen Tom Holland’s  Wallcrawler take on Shocker and Scorpion, both of whom appeared in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

    While Bokeem Woodbine‘s Herman Schultz became “the Shocker” in Homecoming, Michael Mando‘s Mac Gargan seemed prime to become a major thorn in Peter Parker’s side before becoming another bullet point on the list of unfulfilled post-credit promises. Fans have continued to hold out hope that Gargan would return as the Scorpion and will certainly be disappointed to hear he may have been cut from the film.

    Spider-Man 4 is currently on track for a July 24, 2026 theatrical release.

  • Conflicting Reports Cloud the Future of the ‘Black Panther’ Franchise

    Conflicting Reports Cloud the Future of the ‘Black Panther’ Franchise

    Even those who most vehemently opposed recasting the character of T’Challa following the death of Chadwick Boseman  has to have known it would happen eventually. A staple on the Avengers’ roster in the pages of Marvel Comics, it always seemed a certainty that Marvel Studios would find a way to reintroduce the character into the MCU. And with the Multiverse Saga rocketing toward its end, a recent report from an industry insider indicated that the studio might finally be ready to do just that.

    Marvel is looking to recast its Black Panther hero T’Challa ahead of the two Avengers movies and Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther 3.

    -Jeff “The In” Sneider

    Jeff “The In” Sneider ‘s recent report that Marvel Studios was seeking to recast the role of T’Challa for a trio of upcoming films    generated significant online chatter along with some confusion. Initially, many fans interpreted the report to mean that the studio might be searching to recast T’Chall II, the son of T’Challa and Nakia, who was introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. That sentiment was eventually backed up by social media scooper My Time To Shine Hello, who claimed the studio was looking for an actor to play “an older version” of T’Challa II, who was originally played by Divine Love Konadu-Sun.

    However, further details from Sneider have emerged which indicate that Marvel is not looking to recast the role of T’Challa II but rather Boseman‘s T’Challa…sort of. According to Sneider, Marvel Studios is considering introducing a multiversal Variant of T’Challa.

    With Marvel reshuffling the deck in advance of Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, and Robert Downey Jr. coming back not as Iron Man but as Doctor Doom, I’m told that the door is firmly open for T’Challa to be recast via the magic of the multiverse.

    -Jeff Sneider

    Even more interestingly, Sneider claimed that following the studio’s SDCC ’24 reveal that Robert Downey Jr. was returning to the MCU, this time as Doctor Doom, an offer went out to an unnamed star to fill the role of T’Challa.

    I heard that an actor was actually offered the role this past fall, a couple of months after Downey’s big reveal at Comic-Con, but they turned it down, not wanting to jeopardize their career momentum by stepping into Boseman’s gigantic shoes, which may be too big to fill, even for Hollywood’s most talented Black actors.

    -Jeff Sneider

    Sneider went on to say that it’s no longer clear if T’Challa will appear in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, during the difficulty Marvel Studios has had and likely will have finding someone to fill the role; however, Sneider did indicate that whoever filled the role would also likely star in Black Panther 3.

    What does it all mean? For the time being, it sounds like it couldn’t be any more confusing than it is. And while that might sound gloomy, at least the studio has options should they fail to find the right fit for the role of T’Challa.

    Source: The Insneider

  • Marvel Studios Reportedly Recasting a Major MCU Hero Ahead of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

    Marvel Studios Reportedly Recasting a Major MCU Hero Ahead of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

    Recasting key actors is hardly a novel idea at this point in the MCU. Edward Norton and Terrence Howard were rather unceremoniously removed from their respective roles as Bruce Banner and James Rhodes after just one outing each. More recently, Harrison Ford joined the MCU as Thaddeus Ross following the passing of William Hurt, who portrayed the character in five films. Multiple actors have also portrayed Cassie Lang, Billy Maximoff and even Thanos, among others. However, one beloved MCU character seemed off limits to a recast…until now.

    According to a report from Jeff “The In” Sneider, “Marvel is looking to recast its Black Panther hero T’Challa ahead of the two Avengers movies and Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther 3.“

    Following Chadwick Boseman‘s death, Marvel Studios weighed its options about how to move forward in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, ultimately deciding to work T’Challa’s death into the sequel rather than attempt to recast the role. Though it would seem problematic to recast the character now, Sneider ‘s report could be interpreted at least a couple of different ways.

    As the studio approaches the end of the Multiverse Saga, the most logical option for “Recasting” T’Challa would be the introduction of a multiversal Variant of the character. Certainly any attempts t resurrect the Sacred Timeline’s T’Challa would be incredibly controversial and, frankly, unnecessary. Presumably, as Avengers: Secret Wars draws near, more alternate universes, or at least more heroes and villains from the ones that have already been introduced, will come into play and a Variant T’Challa would be a great addition to any team of heroes taking on Doctor Doom.

    Of course, another option for the “recast” might involve the studio searching for an older actor to step into the role of T’Challa II, played by Divine Love Konadu-Sun in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. While it’s unclear when Avengers: Doomsday will be set, if the studio does indeed have a three-film arc in store for the character, they may be looking to age the character up a touch.

    In either case, it would seem that Letitia Wright‘s Shuri, who took up the mantle of Black Panther in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, is headed for a reduced role despite delivering a fantastic performance in the sequel. That is, of course, unless the studio chooses a third option: introducing a multiversal Variant of T’Challa who is aligned with Doctor Doom and finds himself at odds with Shuri, T’Challa II and the rest of the Wakanda.

    With production on Avengers: Doomsday set to kick off this year, it’s likely fans will have some clarity on the reported recast of T’Challa relatively soon.

  • Kathryn Hahn Addresses the Future of Agatha Harkness

    Kathryn Hahn Addresses the Future of Agatha Harkness

    Kathryn Hahn‘s performance as the wicked witch of Westview, Agatha Harkness, has proven to be the gift that keeps on giving. After a show-stealing performance in 2021’s WandaVision, Hahn took the lead in the spinoff Agatha All Along and once again left audiences asking for more. Despite what appeared to be the end of the road for the character, the final scene of Agatha All Along saw the spectral sorceress embark on a new journey, showing there’s still some “life” in the old gal yet.

    While whatever the future holds for the wraithlike witch may not have been divined, it certainly seems as though the next chapter in her story will be closely tired to the next chapter in the story of Joe Locke‘s Billy Maximoff. And while we all wait for official word about what that shape that might take, Hahn has shared her thoughts about returning to the role.

    “Am I personally done with playing this witch? No,” said Hahn when asked by TV Line about her future as Agatha. However, the star stopped short of confirming the recent reports and rumors that Marvel Television was close to moving forward with Season 2 of Agatha All Along. “We’d have to let the powers that be make those decisions,” said Hahn when asked if Marvel had given the go-ahead for another batch of episodes.

    Of course, even if Marvel and Hahn are attempting to keep a sophomore season of Agatha All Along a secret, some omens do seem to augur well for an extra season of the witch. Series creator Jac Schaeffer‘s abrupt exit from the Paul Bettany-led Vision series led many to assume she had moved onto another project. And while speculation seemed to center on the rumored Scarlet Witch solo project, a greenlight given to a second season of Agatha All Along would certainly provide a reasonable explanation for her choice to bail on Vision, especially since Schaeffer indicated that she had plenty of unused Season 1 ideas which could be repurposed for Season 2.

    There was more [of Agatha and Rio’s backstory] in the writer’s room. There was never any more on the page. It was our story instinct, I would say, that getting too far into their backstory would sort of be too much of a counterweight to the Nicky material. And so, we really included what we felt was vital to this chapter.

    -Jac Schaeffer on ideas cut from Season 1 of Agatha All Along that could be explored in a potential Season 2

    Beyond that, there’s the interesting decision by Marvel Studios to submit Agatha All Along as a comedy series rather than a miniseries in an effort to snag awards for the project. It’s a strong indication that they plan to make more episodes, something Hahn herself acknowledged. “It does suggest that,” said Hahn, though she held tight to her claim that she had no idea of future plans for her character. “I am as in-the-dark as you are. There’s going to be a Vision show, so that could be of a trilogy [with WandaVision and Agatha All Along]. But who knows?”.

    Despite Hahn‘s hesitance, reluctance or inability to confirm Marvel Television’s plans to move ahead with a Season 2 of Agatha All Along, it’s starting to feel like there’s a growing chance of more purple in the near future.

    Source: TV Line