In a recent interview, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige revealed that the second season of Daredevil: Born Again will not be affected by the events of the upcoming film *Thunderbolts**. The decision has raised questions about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s interconnected storytelling.
The issue is particularly striking because *Thunderbolts* will reportedly see the entity known as The Void plunge New York City into darkness, trapping its citizens in their most traumatic memories. Given that Daredevil: Born Again* is set in New York and features characters like Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), and Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), the choice to ignore such a city-wide event is perplexing.
Feige explained this approach by stating that the MCU’s television branch will now echo the model of the former Marvel Television, which produced series like Netflix’s The Defenders saga and ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. These shows had tenuous connections to the films that were eventually dismissed, creating a fragmented canon that has since been partially reintegrated.
This strategy points to a larger problem within the MCU. While fans don’t expect major film characters to appear in every series, the absence of even a passing reference to a catastrophic event in the same city undermines the franchise’s core promise of a shared universe. A simple acknowledgment would maintain the narrative cohesion that defined the MCU’s success.
The lack of connectivity feels like a missed opportunity, especially considering the source material. In the popular 2021 comic run Devil’s Reign, Mayor Wilson Fisk uses his own version of the Thunderbolts to wage war on the city’s heroes. This thematic link, combined with The Void’s darkness-based powers resonating with Daredevil’s own internal struggles, could have provided a compelling narrative bridge between the film and the series.
Furthermore, the decision creates a one-way street of connectivity. Characters from the television shows are making their way into the films—Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock appeared in Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Jon Bernthal’s Punisher is set to feature in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Yet, the shows are seemingly being walled off from major film events.
This is not the first time Daredevil has faced connectivity issues. The original Netflix series began with clear ties to The Avengers, but after a corporate split between Marvel Studios and Marvel Entertainment, the film and television worlds drifted apart. Now, with the properties under one roof, the franchise seems to be repeating past mistakes, albeit in reverse.
Feige’s new directive may be a response to concerns about audience fatigue and the underwhelming box-office performance of films like The Marvels, which some felt required extensive knowledge of Disney+ shows. However, completely severing ties is not the solution. To keep the universe feeling truly connected, all that is required are minor references that acknowledge the wider world these heroes and villains inhabit.
