David Tennant’s Kilgrave, also known as the Purple Man in the Marvel comics, was a spine-chilling element of Marvel’s Jessica Jones.
Numerous Marvel Netflix characters have been confirmed to reprise their roles in the MCU as Marvel Studios lays out their upcoming plans for their multimedia properties. The Punisher, Daredevil, and Kingpin are now a part of these plans, but additional well-liked or well-written characters from Marvel’s Netflix series might still be at the disposal of the franchise.
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The resurgence of these notable figures has raised hopes amongst fans. Many have conjectured that it would be nothing short of a masterstroke to add Tennant’s sadistic supervillain to the roster of big baddies besetting the finest superheroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The notion is further supported by Tennant’s assessment of what makes Kilgrave such a formidable and compelling adversary. Marvel bringing back the character would also make sense if the latest rumors implying that Daredevil: Born Again will be closely tied to the Devil’s Reign story arc have any weight.
David Tennant Explains What Sets Kilgrave Apart From Conventional Baddies
With several characters from now-defunct Marvel Television making an ambitious leap into the Marvel Studios’ upcoming slate, fans have theorized the probable return of Krysten Ritter‘s Jessica Jones and David Tennant‘s Kilgrave. Even though the MCU’s Phase 5 presently appears stuffed, and it’s unclear if the studio would be willing to gamble on characters other than Daredevil, Kingpin, and The Punisher, new rumors have stoked people’s fantasies once more.
Besides, Tennant’s desire to return to his fan-favorite role and the compelling nature of his character make him a likely draw for the franchise.
In an old interview with Vanity Fair, the Doctor Who alum discussed what makes the nefarious Kilgrave a frightening villain:
“I think there’s something rather chilling about him. He’s not particularly interested in world domination, or accruing vast amounts of wealth, or destroying the Fantastic Four, or whatever it might be. He’s just out to get what he can, and he has this extraordinary ability … he has a certain indestructibility.”
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Kilgrave is capable of mind control, which leaves those in his vicinity vulnerable to his will. His indiscriminate use of this power is the worst aspect of it all. His skillful use of words to bend people’s minds and compel them to do what he wants makes him a villain who appeals to an unorthodox but underlying human fantasy: to live in a world where people obey your commands. This gratifying aspect is what makes him terrifying, Tennant claimed:
“Of course, that’s something that we all slightly, perhaps at times … fantasize about. Maybe that’s why he’s particularly terrifying to people.”
The dynamic that the reprehensible foe shared with the show’s titular protagonist also underscored the realistic depth of Kilgrave.
The reappearance of David Tennant’s antagonist would introduce a foe that doesn’t seem detached from reality in possessing motives that appear multiversal or extradimensional, serving instead as a clear-cut allegory for toxic masculine figures who misuse their power in the real world.
But is his coming back ever a possibility, in light of the end he was dealt in Marvel’s Jessica Jones?
Rumors Imply The Purple Man’s Return To The MCU
The release of Marvel Studios’ The Marvel Cinematic Universe: An Official Timeline raised questions about the canonicity of most Marvel/Netflix shows. As per Game Rant, the book’s intro acknowledged the existence of several narratives canonical to Marvel’s history. However, their canonicity to the vast expanse of the MCU remains unclear with the absence of such titles in the franchise’s Sacred Timeline.
It was also teased, however, that moving forward with the Multiversal Saga may lead to the clash or convergence of other timelines.
With this in mind, the return of Kilgrave or the Purple Man in the MCU becomes possible under select conditions. If the Netflix series’ MCU canonicity remains unconfirmed, bringing back David Tennant’s villain unscathed doesn’t seem unrealistic. If it is canon, though, then a good ol’ return-from-the-dead storyline never hurt anybody. Not Marvel Comics, at least.
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Furthermore, if the rumors are true and Devil’s Reign is indeed set to be adapted to the MCU for Daredevil: Born Again, then Purple Man becomes intrinsic to the franchise’s future.
Within the Devil’s Reign narrative, Kingpin assumes authority as the Mayor of New York, utilizing Kilgrave’s abilities to expand his sway and dominate the populace. The Purple Children also become an integral element of the arc. Interestingly enough, Thunderbolts, Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, and Jessica Jones are also among the primary characters in this storyline.
With how the MCU has brought Kingpin and Matt Murdock under their narrative belt, aiming to adapt the Devil’s Reign storyline from the comics would make sense.
However, nothing has been confirmed as of yet.
You can catch David Tennant’s Kilgrave in Marvel – Jessica Jones, streaming on Disney+.
