It has been revealed tonight that Boardwalk Empire and Stardust actor Charlie Cox will play Matt Murdock in Marvel’s planned 13-episode Daredevil series which will debut on Netflix next year.
The Man Without Fear will be joined by Iron Fist, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage in their own respective series’ before the quartet are brought together for The Defenders, an event series focusing on the street level superheroes. Each of these shows will be set in the same cinematic universe as The Avengers.
Cox was first mentioned as being in contention for the role by Latino-Review, but the likes of The Hollywood Reporter and Variety have since confirmed the news. Daredevil was last played by Ben Affleck in the critically panned 2003 movie which also starred Jennifer Garner and Colin Farrell.
Cox was very impressive in Boardwalk Empire, and is the latest in a long line of British actors to be scooped up for high profile superhero roles, joining the likes of Henry Cavill and Christian Bale.
This news comes hot on the heels of the announcement that Drew Goddard – who penned the first two episodes of Daredevil – had decided to step aside in order to prioritise Sony’s The Amazing Spider-Man spin-off, Sinister Six. Steven S. DeKnight (Spartacus) has since replaced him as showrunner on Daredevil.
For those of you unfamiliar with the character, Matt Murdock was blinded by radioactive waste as a child while trying to save a stranger about to get hit by a truck carrying the dangerous material. In turn his other senses were heightened to superhuman sharpness and he gained a form of “radar sense”. By day he is a successful trial lawyer but by night he guards Hell’s Kitchen as Daredevil.
All 13 episodes of Daredevil will be released next year on Netflix, with the rest expected to follow shortly after. How do you guys feel about Charlie Cox playing the iconic Marvel character?
