An Alternate Reality: The Man Without Fear Visits MCU's Spider-verse

The latest buzz on the in-production, live-action Spider-verse, i.e. Tom Holland/John Watt's Spider-man 3, is that Charlie Cox joined the cast as Daredevil (from the eponymous, cancelled Netflix series) and in pretty much the same breath, he's finished filming.  

One must presume then that his participation has been relegated to a cameo (maybe merely in Matt Murdock guise), and perhaps that's the case with most other heavyweights involved: Toby Mcguire, Andrew Garfield, Alfred Molina and Jamie Foxx. (Say, has anyone thought of pulling Nicholas Hammond into the brew? Come, now! He's much too historic to overlook.)

In any event, I was hoping for maybe something more substantial than cameos with Spider-verse's guest stars, but hey, I suppose whatever's concocted for the next, Tom Holland effort, it'll still add some real, web-swinging razzmatazz to the prosperous franchise. 

Also, this progressing multiverse trend won't just cover Spider-man, but Doctor Strange and for DC, a whole other mixing-and-matching of legends in the upcoming Flashpoint adaptation, to include Batman in the guise of Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton. The overlapping of realities is surely the next big thing. (While we're stirring the pot, why not have Affleck's Batman meet Affleck's Daredevil? Okay, just kiddin'...I think.) 

That headlining names are being dropped only guarantees interest, inspiring fans to flock to the colliding productions, if not in theaters (since so many are now restricted or closed due to dictatorial, pandemic constraints), but on subscription channels, as with Wonder Woman 1984 and the upcoming Godzilla vs Kong. 

I also like the idea that, at least on Marvel's front, Netflick's incarnations aren't being tossed to the wayside, as Cox's Man Without Fear suggests. As such, word has it that Luke Cage/Power Man will soon enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe line-up, though will it be in the Netflix mode, or something spankin' new? Cage's persona will be more comic-based, or publicity now claims, so who knows what the result will be and who'll play him? (I daresay, it would seem foolish at this point to purge Mike Colter from the role, unless it's his choice to evade the character.) 

Again, enticers are the ticket here (no matter the casting or length of the iconic appearances), with the Cox/Daredevil announcement being only the latest. This makes the anticipation of Spider-verse/Spidey 3, or any of the upcoming, universe-blurring adaptations, a massive, driving force: without question, genius-fueled on all fired cylinders. 

Netflix's Daredevil Season 3: Time to Hit the Bullseye

Charlie Cox is back as attorney Matt Murdock, aka, Daredevil and Vincent D'Orofrio as Wilson Fisk, aka Kingpin in Netflix's "Daredevil: Season 3". All thirteen episodes will be ready to view Oct 19.

This latest season is reputably based on Frank Miller/David Mazzucchelli's "Born Again", where Murdock struggles with his sanity. Of course, he was presumed dead at "Defenders" end, so the title links as well to his symbolic resurrection. (Elements of Kevin Smith/Joe Quesada's "Guardian Devil" have also been cited as an influence, particularly a church-fight sequence.) 

On the new-bad-kid-on-the-block scene, Wilson Bethel arrives as the skilled-with-cards Benjamin "Dex" Poindexter, aka Bullseye, who fans have been insisting on for quite some time. (Rumor once had it that the cocky assassin would grace Season 2. Thank goodness it turned out a winner, despite the villain's absence.)

Bullseye is without question one of Marvel's most beloved baddies and as much as Fisk, an essential part of the Man Without Fear's legacy. One can't deny that Bullseye made quite an impression per Colin Farrell's acclaimed portrayal in Mark Steven Johnson's '03 "Daredevil" adaptation. Farrell's interpretation will give Bethel awfully big shoes to fill, but the young man is a sturdy actor and therefore, up for the task. 

Comprising the prime, supporting cast is Deborah Ann Woll (an underrated beauty if ever there was one) as Karen Page; Elden Henson as Foggy Nelson; Annabella Sciorra as Rosalie Carbone; Jay Ali as Rahul "Ray" Nadeem; Danny Johnson as Benjamin Donovan; Jeffrey Cantor as Mitchell Ellison; Peter McRobbie as Father Lantom; and Amy Rutberg as Marci Stahl. (One can only presume that Rosario Dawson's Claire Temple will pay a visit. Why screw with tradition?)

Will other Defenders appear? Will Frank Castle...? Who knows? As with any Netflix/Marvel production, secrecy surrounds much of the plot. We could be in for surprises and/or disappointments, depending on the flow. If, however, Season 3 is anything like Daredevil's previous Netflix tracks, it's certain to give us what we crave: engaging characters, enriching drama and believable brawls. 

Let's face it: As much as some may dismiss Daredevil as the "poor man's Spider-man", his story resonates because of its palpable sadness, perhaps not as much as Castle's, but still, how can one not feel for the guy, if only based on his prevailing struggles and righteous perseverance? He's also easy to admire for his many good deeds, whether in the courtroom or on Hell's Kitchen's hard-hitting streets. It'll be tough, though, to see him go a tad mad, but if penned right, a Hyde rise could give us some pretty memorable melodrama. 

My prediction: This stretch will hit the bullseye (pun painfully intended) with marked precision. Hell, considering its edgy ingredients, there's no reason why this season shouldn't be the best yet...

THE DEFENDERS: NETFLIX DELIVERS JUSTICE FOR ALL!!!

Our Harlem/Hell's Kitchen heroes are back--Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock/Daredevil; Mike Colter as Luke Cage/Power Man; Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones; and Finn Jones as Danny Rand/Iron Fist--all assembled and equipped to kick some villainous ass and of course, bring justice to NY's meek and downtrodden.

The highly anticipated “The Defenders”, based on the popular Marvel comic-book series, is Netflix’s reply to Disney’s "Avengers" and WB’s "Justice League". The tone here is of its own variation: vicious, brooding and (chances are) woeful. (Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle/Punisher would fit right in, if not for his loner disposition, but give it time…)

For the sake of this series, our heroic collective faces a baddie named Alexandra. Folks are wondering if she's a disguised element of Marvel's vast lineage, but whether she holds a historic link (let alone rubs elbows with the opposing force, the Hand) shouldn't matter to fans of "Alien", "Avatar" and "Galaxy Quest", for she's played by none other than Sigourney Weaver. Evidently, Weaver's character wields lots of big-city influence, but has any officious, self-serving opponent ever halted our defenders? Then again, who knows what devilish plan Alexandra may be hatching? (Say, wouldn't it be cool if it connects to a character otherwise thought defunct...one perhaps played by Elodie Yung? Hint, hint...ha, ha.)

Though Weaver's enigmatic "queen-pin" and her resulting actions aren't to be taken lightly, advanced footage for the show does present some wry banter for our admirable quartet, so though doom and gloom may predominate, we might at least anticipate some sporadic levity.

For superhero/comic-book fans, this is a golden age, with live-action adaptations riding an all-time high. Some, however, would take delight in seeing the trend end, but I emphatically say to hell with them. “Defenders” is another welcome chunk of good-vs-evil escapism and another reason why Netflix is fast becoming one of the most reliable entertainment sources around. Hey highbrow HBO—ya payin' attention?

All eight episodes of “Defenders” will be queued for viewing on Aug 18. Engage, enjoy...defend!!!

Daredevil (Season 2): The Punisher Enters...

Netflix's first season of "Marvel's Daredevil" emerged as a fierce, brooding success, with visually impaired but sense empowered Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) facing off against Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin (Vincent D'Onofrio), in a sprawling Hell's Kitchen showdown.

The second season, which begins March 18, promises an even more layered landscape, ushering the entrance of vengeance-craving vigilante, Frank Castle (Jon "Walking Dead" Bernthal), otherwise known as the Punisher. The shapely and lethal Elektra Natchios (Elodi "Gods of Egypt" Yung) also swings on board, while last season's Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) and Foggy Nelson (Elden Henson) reunite with their favorite "Man Without Fear" attorney in his continued crusade for justice. From what's implied, we may even get lucky with re-entries from Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson), Stick (Scott Glenn) and (by gosh by golly) D'Onofrio's Fisk. (Some are also predicting a Bullseye reveal, but we'll see. Whether this season or another, the villain is bound to appear.)

At any rate, advanced footage insinuates that the Punisher will greatly impact the plot, setting up a pre-"Batman v Superman" and "Cap America: Civil War" clash of the titans. I can't say I believe the adversity will last forever, but for better or worse, rifts between superheroes remain the in-thing now, and I imagine Netflix will nurture the concept for all that it's worth.

This season's projected conflict does, in truth, fit with the initial season's sinister (and often cynical) tone, which also characterizes Netflix's "Jessica Jones", but somewhere along the line, there's got to be a light at the end of the tunnel, right? Let's face it, these folks aren't fighting just for the fun of it. They want something better for their world and therefore, for people like you and me. Let's hope that the culmination of their melees allows them--and us--to achieve it. After all, there's nothing quite as fulfilling as good triumphing over evil. 

Daredevil Rises...Again!!!

Commenced with "Marvel's Daredevil", courtesy of Netflix, and man, it's pretty good: dark and somber, that is, as it well should be. Charlie Cox is impressive as the menacing, blind attorney/avenger Matt Murdock, and though the devilish costume doesn't figure into the start (beyond the opening credits, anyway), it looks like it'll satisfy once it becomes the norm. Evidently, Vincent D'Onofrio is entering the story line as Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin, which is another plus.

Anyway, it's about time another live-action Daredevil came our way, and I'm happy as a lark this one appears to be making more than the grade!!!