Summary
Ahead of the premiere ofDaredevil: Born Again, Marvel Studios confirms that Matt Murdock’s Devil of Hell’s Kitchen has at least five different superhero suits in theMCU. Charlie Cox made his return to the MCU inSpider-Man: No Way Home, and has made several cameo appearances in subsequent projects ahead of hisnew solo series,Daredevil: Born Again. Daredevil’s appearances inShe-Hulk: Attorney at LawandEchohave already shown off new-and-improved superhero costumes, but even more have been confirmed by Marvel Studios.
Thefirst trailer forDaredevil: Born Againwas released to the audiences at 2024’s Disney Upfront presentation in May and D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in August.This trailer featured a glimpse at five Daredevil cowls of varying colors(viaMarvel Updates), which hints at Matt Murdock suiting up in several different costumes in his upcoming Disney+ series. Two of these costumes have already been seen, but the others tease some huge changes forMatt Murdock’s Daredevilin the MCU’s Phase 5 and beyond.
Daredevil’s White Helmet Hints At A Purified Version Of The Man Without Fear
The first of Matt Murdock’s helmets seen in the footage fromDaredevil: Born Againis a completely new one for Daredevil in live-action.This white-ish cowl is reminiscent of Daredevil’s purified costume from 2023’sDaredevilrun in Marvel Comics by Saladin Ahmed and Aaron Kuder. This run saw Matt Murdock, weighed down by intense guilt, hang up hisDaredevil costumeand become a priest instead. However, upon realizing New York City needs Daredevil, Murdock enlisted the help of Doctor Strange to face his inner demons.
This process forged a brand-new identity for Daredevil, as Matt Murdock emerged as a version of the vigilante with"no darkness [in him] at all.“Seeing this costume in the live-action MCU would be striking, and would mark a significant transformation forCharlie Cox’s Matt Murdock, who has always struggled with his dual life.This helmet also bears some resemblance to his blue-ish cowl from 1993’sDaredevil #321, which saw Daredevil don an armored costume that helped him take on the likes of Venom, though it remains to be seen which version Marvel Studios will introduce.
Daredevil also sported this white costume when he became the “Hand of God” in 2023’sDaredevil #12by Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto.
Daredevil’s Dark Red Helmet Was Used In Netflix’s Defenders Saga
The second helmet in Daredevil’s display seems to be his dark red cowl that he sported frequently throughout his career inNetflix’s Defenders Saga. Charlie Cox first appeared as Matt Murdock in 2015’sDaredevilseason 1 on Netflix, but didn’t suit up officially until the season’s finale. He was kitted out in his burgundy costume forDaredevil’ssubsequent two seasons andThe Defenders.Daredevil: Born Againwill act as a continuation of the Defenders Saga, which was confirmed to be canon to the MCU in 2024, so it makes sense that Murdock would retain this version of the costume.
It was this version of his superhero suit that Matt Murdock’s Daredevil suited up in for his cameo appearance inEchoepisode 1, “Chafa.” A flashback to 2018 sawDaredevil battle Alaqua Cox’s Maya Lopezand Kingpin’s soldiers in a warehouse.This scene is set during the MCU’s five-year-long Blip, confirming that Matt Murdock survived Thanos' attack inAvengers: Infinity War, and was operating as Daredevil during this dark and unexplored period of the MCU’s history.Daredevil: Born Againcould expand on this, so this dark red costume may be revisited.
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Daredevil’s Yellow Helmet Has Already Been Seen In The MCU
While Daredevil sported his classic dark red look inEcho, his prior appearance in 2022’sShe-Hulk: Attorney at Lawsaw him don a brand-new superhero suit.Daredevil’s red-and-yellow costumewas more reminiscent of his original suit in his Marvel Comics debut back in 1964’sDaredevil #1by Stan Lee and Bill Everett.This costume had a special significance for Matt Murdock, as it was created from the boxing robes of his late father, “Battling” Jack Murdock, who was portrayed by John Patrick Hayden in flashbacks in Netflix’s Defenders Saga.
In the MCU, this red-and-yellow costume was created by Griffin Matthews’superhero costume designer Luke Jacobson, whom Jennifer Walters also hires to create a whole wardrobe of versatile clothes for her new life as She-Hulk. Daredevil aids She-Hulk in rescuing Jacobson from Eugene Patilio’s Leapfrog in this costume, and engages in more explicit acts with Jennifer Walters also in this costume.It’s unclear whether Matt Murdock will suit up in his comic-accurate costume inDaredevil: Born Again, but it’s great to see it referenced in the series' footage.
Why Daredevil Looks So Different In She-Hulk
Charlie Cox finally returns in She-Hulk episode 8, but Daredevil’s costume looks very different than it did on Netflix for a few major reasons.
Daredevil’s Black Helmet Could Hint At A Shadowland Adaptation
The fourth helmet in Daredevil’s display is considerably darker than the others, perhaps bearing a resemblance to his all-black costume from Marvel Comics’Shadowlandstoryline from 2010. This crossover storyline marked Matt Murdock’s return to New York City after becoming the leader of the Hand. He builds a temple in New York named Shadowland, which also functions as a prison, and engages in more erratic, extreme and unpredictable behavior.It is soon revealed that he’s been possessed by the Beast of the Hand, which explains his dark new appearance.
The possibility of Matt Murdock’sShadowlandcostume being introduced inDaredevil: Born Againcould hint at this dark story for the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen being adapted into live-action.The Hand played a key role in Netflix’s Defenders Saga, but was seemingly eliminated with the destruction of Midland Circle inThe Defenders. However,the group’s prevalence back then means they could reappear inDaredevil: Born Again, which presents the opportunity for Matt Murdock to find himself possessed and corrupted, opening the door for this black costume to appear.
The Hand’s possible reappearance could create the perfect chance for Élodie Yung to also reprise her role as Elektra Natchios inDaredevil: Born Again, as she became the group’s leader following her resurrection inThe Defenders.
Daredevil’s Red Helmet Is From His Vibrant New MCU Costume
The final helmet seen in Daredevil’s display appears to be from the bright red costume that has been seen inset photos fromDaredevil: Born Again(viaDaredevil Updates). This is a more vibrant and vivid costume for Daredevil than what has previously been seen in live-action, perhaps reflecting the more lighthearted tones of the MCU itself.Netflix’s Defenders Saga was much darker, grittier and more grounded than many previous MCU projects, which meant that Daredevil’s dark red costume made more sense. This change for the MCU will be welcome, however.
Daredevil’s brighter costume inBorn Againbrings him closer to the classic design of his Marvel Comics counterpart, who has more-often-than-not been seen in a vivid red suit. Even so, he isn’t entirely comic-accurate just yet, as even this bright redcostume is missing the iconic “DD” emblemon the chest, but it’s possible that Matt Murdock could earn this insignia over the course of the series. Scheduled to premiere on Disney+ in March 2025,Daredevil: Born Againcould showcase more different versions of the Man Without Fear than ever before.
Daredevil: Born Again
Cast
Daredevil: Born Again follows blind lawyer Matt Murdock, who uses his heightened abilities to pursue justice in New York. As he manages a bustling law firm, former mob boss Wilson Fisk navigates political ambitions, leading both men toward a confrontation as their pasts resurface.
