Did Thunderbolts* have a reference to Wilson Fisk's ban on vigilantes? Speculation explored

Thunderbolts*, the latest MCU entry, was released in cinema halls across the world on May 2, 2025. As the movie was gearing up for release, fans were wondering if the movie would have a Daredevil: Born Again easter egg. That's because the movie was released just two weeks after the finale of the popular series led by Charlie Cox. Turns out, there is no reference to Wilson Fisk's martial law.

For the uninitiated, Daredevil: Born Again ended with Mayor Fisk accomplishing his goal of banning masks, declaring martial law over the city, and imprisoning all of his opponents, including several elites. Two weeks later, we have Thunderbolts*, a movie set in the same universe, whose third act is almost entirely set in The Big Apple, which does not refer to the events of Born Again or even Mayor Fisk.

However, it should also be noted that this movie could be set in a different time than the Daredevil: Born Again finale.

It should be noted that different events in the MCU run parallel to each other. The same might apply to Daredevil: Born Again and Thunderbolts* too:

Fans believe that the events unfolding across the MCU play out according to the chronological release date of the project. However, this couldn't have been farther from the truth. The best example is how Disney and Marvel Studios incorporated the Netflix Marvel Universe into the overall MCU. The entire Netflix Marvel Universe unfolds over Phase 3 of the MCU.

Here's when the Netflix Marvel shows take place in the overall Marvel Cinematic Universe:

1. Daredevil Season 1 - Set after the events of I Am Groot and Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2
2. Jessica Jones Season 1 - Set after the events of Daredevil Season 1
3. Daredevil Season 2 - Set after the events of Ant-Man
4. Luke Cage Season 1 - Set after the events of Daredevil Season 2
5. Iron Fist Season 1 - Set after the events of Luke Cage Season 1
6. The Defenders Season 1 - Set after the events of Iron Fist Season 1
7. The Punisher Season 1 - Set after the events of Spider-Man: Homecoming
8. Jessica Jones Season 2 - Set after the events of Doctor Strange
9. Luke Cage Season 2 - Set after the events of Jessica Jones Season 2
10. Iron Fist Season 2 - Set after the events of Luke Cage Season 2
11. Daredevil Season 3 - Set after the events of Iron Fist Season 2
12. The Punisher Season 2 - Set after the events of Thor: Ragnarok
13. Jessica Jones Season 3 - Set after the events of The Punisher Season 2

Therefore, a future project might clarify the timeframe between Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 and Thunderbolts*. If the events occur somewhere between the nine episodes of Daredevil: Born Again Season 1, Fisk might justify imposing the ban based on the actions of the Void in the second season. Moreover, Wilson Fisk's law explicitly bans heroes with masks, i.e., vigilantes.

However, almost every Thunderbolts* character is without a mask, and the team is saving the public from damage. Even if Fisk and his anti-vigilante task force were to make a move on the team, the optics of arresting public heroes wouldn't have looked good. Moreover, people in the MCU associate Bucky with Steve Rogers despite his past as a HYDRA assassin.

Also, his actions might give the Thunderbolts* some legitimacy as a government force, and therefore, Fisk, who is just a mayor, might not overrule the government.

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Thunderbolts* is currently available in cinema halls around the world. Catch it as soon as you can.

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