Do it. Try it. Fix it.

When I was twelve years old my father took me a to a midnight showing of arguably the most anticipated film ever up to that point of time, Marvel’s “Avengers”. The anticipation in me had escalated immensely in the months beforehand. “Could it be done, could you fit all of these grand heroes into a two-hour film and make it a thrilling worthwhile experience?” The answer is yes. Marvel pulled off the unthinkable and changed the film landscape as we know it.

After exceeding expectations, critics knew not to question Marvel again. Year after year, and hit after hit, Marvel became a living and breathing money-making pop culture icon. With their most recent Avengers film, “Avengers: Endgame”, being the second most profitable film of all time. Who are we to question the juggernaut that is Marvel Studios? Then, it happened.

“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Post Endgame, it has become more and more apparent that Marvel has lost that initial schtick that made it so relevant in the first place. When a Marvel Studios film came out, it didn’t feel like it was just another movie release, it felt like an event. You had to be there. Witness this climatic next chapter in the ongoing saga. Visualize the puzzle piece and contemplate how it will connect to the inevitable big picture growing within the universe’s framework.

From the most recent films of Doctor Strange and Ant-Man to the various Disney Plus limited series released within the past two years, even including their latest show, ‘Secret Invasion,’ which experienced the second lowest viewership for the franchise. Stale and mediocre are words that come to mind. Whether it be oversaturation or an actual dip in creative quality, it has never been more apparent that Marvel is in need of a creative overhaul if they want to continue their dominate reign. Which brings us to the topic of discussion, “Daredevil: Born Again”.

Out of the four Marvel Shows produced and released by Netflix, one has continuously garnered and sustained a strong following, Daredevil. Whether it be from actor Charlie Cox’s strong performance as the blind lawyer, or the more mature and violent tone, Netflix had a surefire hit that lasted three seasons. When it was announced that Marvel had taken back the reigns of the character and would be releasing a brand-new show set within the MCU, fans were rejoiced. Finally, one of Marvel’s most popular street-level heroes could appear alongside the likes of Spider-Man, Moonknight, or even the Avengers. However, it has been reported that President of Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige, disliked the direction the show was taking and has subsequently fired most, if not all of the creative team behind the series.

While there is not much to go off of, reports claim that the show was akin to a legal procedure, rather than a street level superhero series. With some sources claiming the hero doesn’t even suit up until the fourth episode. To say a bullet was dodged is an understatement, how this was even considered a good idea from the beginning is beyond me. Yes, Daredevil is a lawyer, and showcasing his legal abilities is just as important as showcasing him beating criminals to a pulp. Yet, the Marvel Universe simply isn’t built for cable television, not with the high precedent it has already set time after time.

If Feige wants to turn this ship around, Daredevil is the character that can ignite the fire that Marvel once attained. Is it doable? Yes, but it is going to take hard work and a creative team that understands what the character is all about. Only time will tell if they can capture the lighting in a bottle once more. Until then, I wouldn’t recommend holding your breath.

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