Charlie Cox is undoubtedly the most famous of the Defenders and after a long wait, Marvel fans will finally get to see him as Daredevil in MCU’s Echo and Daredevil: Born Again. But Marvel fans have another reason to celebrate, for recently, in an interesting development, the studio added Netflix’s entire Defenders-verse into the official Marvel Cinematic Timeline.
As fans await Cox’s return as Daredevil on Disney+, many can’t help but also hope for Jon Bernthal’s return as the Punisher after his impressive run in Netflix’s Defenders saga.
Charlie Cox’s Defenders-Verse Is Officially Part Of MCU Canon
In a surprising event that half of the Marvel fans were sure about and the other half still cannot digest, Marvel studios added Netflix’s entire Defenders-saga to Marvel Cinematic Universe’s official timeline (via X). For years, fans have campaigned for the shows to become part of the Marvel canon thanks to their brilliant approach to the Marvel mythos and R-rated storyline.
Marvel adding the Defenders-verse has largely turned out to be a welcoming decision and many took to social media to celebrate the good news (via X). However, after subtle hints of the existence of the official Marvel timeline in the same universe as the Defenders saga, fans were sure that the Netflix series were surely MCU canon.
Comprising of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Punisher, and Defenders, the entire saga has been added between the I Am Groot series and the end of Marvel’s Phase 3. And since these street-level heroes are finally canon, it will be worth waiting and watching to see how they were during the major events of MCU.
Furthermore, since Charlie Cox as Daredevil had already been introduced in MCU in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Marvel will have to take the time out to explain and make efforts to braid these heroes’ stories into the MCU. Their inclusion into the MCU also raises the question of when characters like The Punisher will be next seen on screen.
Is Jon Bernthal Returning As The Punisher In Charlie Cox’s Daredevil?
Jon Bernthal‘s Punisher has been the most favorite Defender after Charlie Cox’s Daredevil and fans have been wanting to see more of this brutal anti-hero for years now. After his last appearance in the Defenders saga on Netflix, it was reported that Bernthal will return alongside Cox as Frank Castle in Daredevil: Born Again.
Amidst rumors that he might even get his own Disney+ show, Bernthal is listed as one of the main actors as per Marvel’s copyright listing for Daredevil: Born Again (via Deadline). Ranking behind Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio‘s Wilson Fisk/ Kingpin, it is widely believed that his role would be more than just a small cameo/
While he has crossed paths with both Kingpin and Daredevil, it is unknown how he will fit into the upcoming Disney+ series for neither is he a big fan of Kingpin but his ideals and fighting style are too cathartically opposite of Daredevil’s.
While the entire Defenders saga can be streamed on Disney+, Daredevil: Born Again is expected to be released by 2025.
