Vincent D’Onofrio Slams Back at Woke Critics of Daredevil: Born Again

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Actor Vincent D’Onofrio, best known for his role as Kingpin, has been actively engaging with users on the platform X (previously Twitter), discussing the finale of Daredevil: Born Again, which concluded its initial nine-episode run on Disney+.

Vincent D’Onofrio, in response to my critique of his portrayal of Kingpin as a constant tear-jerker and weakling, acknowledged my comments. Interestingly, he felt the need to block me on X platform following our discussion. To clarify, I appreciated the recent episode greatly and expressed optimism for Season 2’s further improvements. His wife, however, is now assumed to be taking over as the new Kingpin in the series.

Fan has woke concerns

Another supporter, expressing similar thoughts, addressed Vincent D’Onofrio on Twitter, sharing his own apprehensions about Daredevil: Born Again. The user is worried that the show might intensify its progressive stance and maintain its narrative focusing on anti-traditional values in the upcoming season (the story takes a backseat to push a progressive agenda).

After Aaron Moorhead, Justin Benson, and Dario have openly stated that they are using Daredevil as a critique of conservatism and police shows, I have a suspicion that Marvel Studios and Disney+ will firmly embrace a more socially progressive approach in season 2. It’s disappointing to see them transform one of their top-tier products into a platform for political commentary that may alienate half the country. I had hoped the reboot would focus on compelling storytelling, but it seems that won’t be the case anymore. Vincent D’Onofrio, I was anticipating the revival to return to simple, engaging storytelling, but at this point, it appears that’s not in the cards.

Vincent D’Onofrio fires back

Vincent D’Onofrio caught win of the tweet and fired back that’s not the case:

In my opinion, what you’re suggesting seems rather implausible. I’m firmly committed to the tales of Daredevil we’re crafting, not advocating for any particular viewpoint beyond delivering an outstanding superhero narrative that truly kicks butt. If there was any underlying agenda, I wouldn’t be unaware of it.

Kingpin is Trump?

After spotting a recently published critique on “Daredevil: Born Again” by the entertainment platform Deadline, titled “Disney+’s Long-Awaited ‘Man Without Fear’ Series Is Fearless & Timely, Reminiscent of Trump 2.0”, the fan referred to it.

It seems to me that you’re expressing a viewpoint that many Marvel productions have been politically charged, given their history over nearly a decade. You mention being involved in shows like Colony and Agents of Shield around 2016 and observing a shift towards political themes post-Trump election. The return to Agents of Shield after the election saw a scene dealing with Trump and fascism, which you found unusual given your previous experience with the show’s adherence to source material.

You also highlight your skepticism about Daredevil not being political, considering its portrayal of the Punisher logo, police, and community issues that are linked to real-life events, even though the logo has a symbolic meaning for law enforcement. Lastly, you suggest that Born Again is perceived as a reflection of the current political climate, with many interpreting it as a depiction of Trump.

D’Onofrio didn’t reply.

Is Daredevil: Born Again woke?

The series contains elements that seem reminiscent of a modern or progressive perspective, which appears to be carried over from its earlier form prior to any significant changes.

They replaced Matt Murdock’s two long-time friends, Foggy (originally played by an actor) and Karen (previously portrayed by another actor), who were no longer part of the series due to a retooling of the show. Instead, Deborah Ann Woll and Elden Henson joined the cast for reshoots in the new version.

In addition, they switched out Foggy and Karen with new characters who focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Instead of teaming up with Foggy and Karen, they paired Matt with Nikki M. James’ Kirsten Mcduffie and Clark Johnson’s Cherry.

How about rephrasing this passage in a more natural and easy-to-understand manner: Matt’s new girlfriend is Heather. Some people find her writing style harsh, but when Daredevil rescues her from Muse, she insists that she was the one who saved herself. In fact, she frequently scolds Matt, causing him to lower his head and feel awkward. A funny Thanos meme has been circulating about this (lol). However, it’s worth noting that she eventually sides with Kingpin, exposing her true villainous nature. So it seems the writers got that aspect right.

Discussing further, throughout much of the show “Hawkeye”, Vincent D’Onofrio’s character, Kingpin, appears rather weak and emotionally vulnerable. He attends therapy sessions (with a twist – Heather is the therapist) and frequently sheds tears. A plot twist emerges – his wife proves to be more formidable as Kingpin. The storyline gains momentum in the final episode, but Kingpin disconnects from society and declares martial law, which some believe mirrors a certain figure (often compared to Trump by “Deadline”).

In a twist of events, the law enforcement officers in this story are revealed as working for Kingpin, which some might perceive as a progressive or aware portrayal. However, this aspect doesn’t necessarily detract from the overall narrative. Interestingly, Jon Bernthal initially hesitated to rejoin Daredevil: Born Again, possibly due to its progressive leanings. Nevertheless, he eventually agreed, even rewriting his character’s lines, and now serves as a producer, working on a standalone Punisher project. Although he hasn’t explicitly stated it, Bernthal has made it clear that he would not be associated with the Marvel Cinematic Universe if it veered too far into progressive extremes. It’s refreshing to see actors like him taking part in such projects.

The second season of ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ is being developed, and it will reportedly premiere next year. You can catch up on Season 1 right now on Disney+.

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2025-04-25 02:01