Daredevil: Born Again had a troubled path to screen.
What began as one vision became something different through extensive reshoots and creative restructuring. Some viewers notice tonal shifts within the season—different energies between episodes.
This isn't their imagination. Born Again genuinely evolved during production.
Here's the story of how the show became what it is.
The Original Vision
Born Again started with different creative leadership.
Initial Approach: Early reports described a legal drama with superhero elements. Matt Murdock as lawyer first, Daredevil second.
Tone Goals: Lighter than Netflix. More connected to the broader MCU. Potentially more episodic.
The Gamble: Could Daredevil work as a more traditional procedural? Some at Marvel thought so.
Filming Began: Multiple episodes were shot under this vision. Cast and crew committed to the approach.
The Problem: Early footage didn't match expectations. Test audiences and internal reviewers raised concerns.
The Reshoots and Changes
Marvel made a significant pivot.
New Leadership: Creative team changes brought different sensibilities. The show refocused on what made Netflix Daredevil special.
The Reshoot Scope: Estimates suggest 60-80% of the original footage was replaced. This is unusual for television.
- Darker tone throughout
- More action sequences
- Fisk elevated to primary antagonist earlier
- Netflix aesthetic embraced
The Cost: Delays and budget increases. Marvel committed significant resources to getting it right.
The Reasoning: Fans wanted Netflix Daredevil back. Giving them something else risked failure.
What Made It to Screen
The final product blends both approaches.
- Certain character scenes remained
- Some legal storylines survived
- Specific dialogue exchanges
- Most action sequences
- Kingpin's expanded role
- Darker atmospheric scenes
- The hallway fight
The Blend: Careful editing assembled a coherent whole from different production phases.
What Viewers Notice: Occasional tonal shifts. Some episodes feel different from others. It's subtle but present.
The Achievement: Making a functional show from this production chaos is genuinely impressive.
How Viewers Notice the Difference
Sharp-eyed audiences pick up on the seams.
Episode Variations: Some episodes feel more like legal drama. Others are pure action. The mix sometimes feels abrupt.
Character Consistency: Occasionally, character behavior seems to shift between scenes filmed at different times.
Visual Differences: Lighting and color grading vary slightly. Different directors and cinematographers worked on different phases.
The Defense: Many viewers don't notice at all. The story works. The characters land. The action delivers.
Critical Response: Most reviews praised the show without noting production issues. The final product stands on its own.
What This Means for the Future
Born Again's production teaches lessons.
For Marvel: Listen to what fans actually want. Netflix Daredevil's success wasn't accidental.
For Season 2: With clearer direction from the start, Season 2 should be more consistent.
For Viewers: Understanding production context enriches viewing. But it shouldn't diminish enjoyment.
The Bigger Picture: Streaming shows face intense pressure. Quick turnarounds leave little room for course correction. Born Again is unusual—Marvel could afford to reshoot.
The Result: Despite its troubled production, Born Again delivers what fans wanted. The journey was rough, but the destination works.
The Devil of Hell's Kitchen survived his most challenging fight yet—the production process itself.