‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Paves the Way for Sony’s Spider-Verse Heroes in the MCU

Marvel’s latest offering, Daredevil: Born Again, certainly excels as a standalone series, delivering engaging stories without relying solely on celebrity cameos. However, fans have been eagerly awaiting a potential connection to Spider-Man, and hints suggest that this might finally be happening.

The latest episode, titled “The Hollow of His Hand, ” which debuted on Disney+ last night, leans more towards a legal drama than a traditional superhero narrative. Yet, it retains the charm that has made Matt Murdock, portrayed by Charlie Cox, an enduring favorite—not just for his vigilante exploits but as a compelling attorney as well.

Warning! Spoilers ahead for episodes 1-3 of Daredevil: Born Again.

In the third episode, the highly publicized trial of Hector Ayala (the late Kamar de los Reyes), accused of murdering a police officer, takes center stage. Despite Hector’s attempts to hide his identity, his secret life as White Tiger proves pivotal in securing his acquittal. Matt’s revelation about Hector being the vigilante who has saved numerous lives, including those of police officers, turns the tide of the jury’s decision. Unfortunately, Hector’s controversial encounter with certain NYPD officers who’ve adopted The Punisher’s emblem leads to dire consequences for him.

Throughout this gripping courtroom scene, showrunner Dario Scardapane subtly incorporates a nod to Sony’s Spider-Man universe that could hint at future character crossover potential within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Did Daredevil: Born Again Name-Drop Jefferson Morales?

Following Matt’s exposure of White Tiger’s true identity, his partner, Kirsten McDuffie (Nikki M. James), references several police reports that highlight Hector’s character. Among the officers mentioned is “Officer Morales, ” which sent ripples of excitement through my screening group, suggesting a possible connection to Miles Morales’ father, Jefferson Morales/Davis, portrayed by Brian Tyree Henry in Sony’s Spider-Verse adaptations.

Jefferson Morales (Bryan Tyree Henry) in 'Spider-Verse' — (Sony Pictures Entertainment)

While it’s essential to remain grounded regarding this name drop—possibly for licensing reasons—one can’t help but wonder if Kirsten’s reference indeed points to the same Officer Morales. Could this be a teaser for a future live-action collaboration between Daredevil and Spider-Man? It seems unlikely that Miles or Tom Holland’s Peter Parker will make an appearance in Daredevil: Born Again, as these interactions might be more suitable for upcoming projects like Spider-Man 4 or a multiversal crossover in the anticipated Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars.

Marvel is Strategizing Miles Morales’ MCU Debut, but It Probably Won’t Happen in Daredevil: Born Again

Given the intricate shared rights between Sony and Disney/Marvel regarding television and film, the chances of seeing Miles Morales in Daredevil: Born Again remain slim. However, these intriguing Easter eggs weave together the Spider-Man narrative, reinforcing hopes for Miles’ entrance into the MCU in the near future. Donald Glover’s portrayal of a live-action Aaron Davis in Spider-Man: Homecoming hints at someone planning a move towards this crossover.

Just for a moment, imagine the delight of the Marvel fandom witnessing a union of Daredevil and Spider-Man in Daredevil: Born Again, potentially facing off against Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio) amidst his crackdown on vigilantes. The references to Sony’s Spider-Verse imply that Miles Morales may already exist within the MCU; it’s just a matter of timing for his official reveal. With nearly eight years of anticipation behind us, let’s hope Marvel fulfills this long-awaited promise soon.

Don’t forget, new episodes of Daredevil: Born Again premiere every Tuesday at 6 PM PT/9 PM ET exclusively on Disney+.

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