Jennifer Garner is rumoredly set to return to her role as Elektra Natchios in Deadpool 3. Garner earlier portrayed the role in the 2003 film Daredevil, starring Ben Affleck, as well as in the standalone spinoff, Elektra. When Daredevil was rebooted for the Netflix series, the role of Elektra went to Élodie Yung, who played the character in season 2 of the series and reprised the role in The Defenders.
With Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock returning to the MCU, fans expected Yung to be back as Elektra. When it was reported that the 13 Going On 30 actress would be appearing in Ryan Reynold’s MCU debut, fans began discussions on whether Garner or Yung is the better Elektra.
Jennifer Garner vs. Élodie Yung – Who Is The Better Choice As Elektra?
While both Jennifer Garner and Élodie Yung play the same Marvel character, their portrayal was very different from each other. Garner infuses the role with more energy, while Yung adopts a more subdued approach to match the darker tone of her TV series. Then, there’s the fact that Garner’s movie was a critical and commercial failure, whereas Yung’s TV series was critically acclaimed.
Despite the fact that her movie is highly forgettable, the Family Switch actress’s portrayal was praised by critics. Garner was the sole watchable element in a movie plagued by a weak storyline and bad CGI effects. The Peppermint actress looked cool in her outfits, swinging her sais around. Most notably, while Elektra fell short of achieving the success of modern-day female-led superhero movies, it managed to avoid a cringe-worthy status like Catwoman.
Yung’s performance, on the other hand, turned out to be a mixed bag. While she and Charlie Cox had chemistry, the series often underutilized Elektra’s potential as an individual character, focusing unnecessarily on the Hand storyline. However, she excelled in ways Garner couldn’t, especially in exploring the character’s dark side. Yung effectively captured Elektra’s ruthlessness, manipulative behavior, and sadistic enjoyment of violence.
It would be hard to pick the best from their distinct approaches to the role. However, Jennifer Garner proves to be a more suitable choice for the Marvel universe compared to Élodie Yung, since Garner’s energetic performance aligns well with the MCU’s tone.
What Are The Possibilities For Jennifer Garner And Élodie Yung In The MCU?
Despite the significant buzz surrounding Jennifer Garner’s potential role in Deadpool 3, recent revelations from the actress cast doubt on her involvement. Garner shared that she was not aware of the potential role when questioned about it. However, it can also be taken as a sign that she wants to keep the cameo a surprise. Garner’s association with Ryan Reynolds and Shawn Levy from The Adam Project further fuels the rumors.
As for Élodie Yung’s return to the MCU, the current possibility lies in the delayed Marvel miniseries, Daredevil: Born Again. The series has re-entered the writer’s table, making it possible for Yung’s Elektra to make a significant or cameo appearance. With the multiversal concept, the coexistence of two Elektras in the Marvel Universe is plausible, but, it would also be a risky and potentially confusing move.
Daredevil film is now available for rent on AppleTV+, while the series is now available for streaming on Disney+.
