As Marvel fans dissect early footage and teasers for Disney+’s Daredevil: Born Again, one recurring observation stands out: Daredevil is moving differently—more acrobatic, more agile, and far more comic-accurate than ever before.
Now, Stephen DeKnight, the original showrunner behind Netflix’s acclaimed Daredevil series, has stepped in to offer context—confirming that the shift in action choreography is largely a matter of budget and production scale, not character redefinition.
Why Daredevil Is More Agile Now
Speaking with ComicBook.com, DeKnight addressed the side-by-side comparisons between the original series and the Disney+ reboot:
“Back then, we simply didn’t have the budget to consistently pull off the kind of high-level agility you see in the comics,” he explained. “With more financial flexibility, Born Again has the tools to more faithfully represent the character’s movement.”
Fans familiar with the Netflix version—which ran from 2015 to 2018—will recall the grounded, bone-crunching realism of the show’s iconic hallway fights. Now, Daredevil’s choreography leans toward enhanced stunts, wire work, and visual effects that align more closely with his comic book origins.
Budget Constraints vs. Comic Accuracy
Netflix’s Daredevil was revered for its practical stunts and raw intensity. But the stripped-down aesthetic was as much a product of creative intent as it was production limitations. DeKnight‘s team worked with tight episodic budgets and minimal CG, focusing on close-quarters combat and physical storytelling.
Disney+’s Born Again, however, enters the scene with Marvel Studios-level backing, enabling more ambitious fight sequences and stylized action. The result? A Daredevil who moves less like a street-level boxer and more like the hyper-agile ninja of Marvel lore.
Fan Reactions: Split but Engaged
The shift has triggered mixed reactions. Longtime fans of the Netflix series worry that Born Again might sacrifice the emotional grit and noir realism that gave Daredevil its distinct tone. Others welcome the evolution, excited to finally see Matt Murdock flip, leap, and fight like the superhero they grew up reading.
Social media has lit up with side-by-side comparisons, meme commentary, and detailed frame breakdowns—all underscoring just how deeply attached viewers are to Daredevil’s on-screen identity.
What This Means for Marvel’s Street-Level Universe
DeKnight’s perspective comes at a critical time for Marvel’s street-level heroes. Disney+ has already redefined characters like Moon Knight and Echo, blending grounded storytelling with MCU-scale spectacle. Daredevil: Born Again continues this trend, aiming to merge the gritty tone fans love with big-budget storytelling.
With Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio reprising their roles as Daredevil and Kingpin respectively, Born Again seems poised to honor the original series while introducing a more kinetic, visually dynamic approach.
Stephen DeKnight’s comments provide critical insight into the evolution of Daredevil on screen. While Born Again pushes the character into more comic-authentic territory, the Netflix series remains a benchmark for emotionally resonant, grounded superhero storytelling.
As production on Daredevil: Born Again continues, one thing is certain: this isn’t about which version is better—it’s about recognizing how each one reflects the unique tools, tones, and visions of its time.
