Daredevil: Born Again reportedly to not acknowledge events of Thunderbolts*

Marvel Studios has confirmed that Daredevil: Born Again will not include or reference events from Thunderbolts*. This update came directly from Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige. Feige explained this decision while speaking to a group of journalists, as reported by Variety.

Feige addressed how Marvel’s approach to television is changing. According to Feige, Marvel plans to separate its TV shows from the main events happening in its films. Feige stated,

“I think allowing a TV show to be a TV show is what we’re returning to.”

He used Daredevil: Born Again as a clear example of this strategy. Feige was asked whether the events of Thunderbolts*, which showed most of Manhattan covered in a black shroud, would influence the storyline of Daredevil: Born Again. Feige answered directly,

“No.”

This marks a change from earlier Marvel shows, where connections to films were common. According to Feige, Marvel is reducing this crossover approach to help make its television stories easier to follow. This strategy is part of a broader shift at Marvel Studios to lower its content volume and allow stories to stand on their own.

---

Marvel is reducing TV output

Marvel Studios is planning to reduce the number of television shows it produces. According to Variety, Feige explained that Marvel will move towards releasing

“often just a single live-action show per year.”

Feige added that the new approach aims to stop the expectation that viewers must watch every show to understand the main Marvel storyline.

Feige pointed out that earlier Marvel TV shows, like Daredevil and Jessica Jones on Netflix, did not have strong links to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). These shows were made by a different part of Marvel, which no longer exists. Feige explained,

“I think allowing a TV show to be a TV show is what we’re returning to.”

By focusing on fewer shows with less crossover, Marvel aims to keep TV storylines more focused. This approach will make it easier for viewers to watch individual shows without needing extra knowledge from other Marvel films or shows.

---

The reason behind the separation from Thunderbolts*

Thunderbolts* was released recently and received positive reviews, according to Variety. However, the film struggled to make a large impact at the box office. Variety reports it grossed $380 million globally. Feige discussed how some audiences felt confused because several Thunderbolt* characters came from previous TV shows.

Feige said,

“Thunderbolts* I thought was a very, very good movie.”

But he acknowledged a problem, stating,

“Some [audiences] were still feeling that notion of, ‘I guess I had to have seen these other shows to understand who this is.’”

Feige pointed out that the film was designed to stand alone. He said,

“If you actually saw the movie, that wouldn’t be the case, and we make the movie so that’s not the case.”

Even with this intention, Marvel plans to avoid similar confusion by reducing overlaps between TV and film.

The decision to exclude the Thunderbolts* events from Daredevil: Born Again follows this thinking. Feige gave a direct answer, saying no, when asked if the black shroud event in Thunderbolts* would affect Daredevil’s storyline. This is part of Marvel’s plan to help audiences enjoy TV shows without needing to follow every film.

---

What does this mean for Daredevil: Born Again and other MCU projects?

The changes mean that Daredevil: Born Again will focus on its own story without relying on events from other MCU projects. Feige said,

“Where we have great actors playing great characters, I think it would be fun to see them multiple places, but the output will be much less.”

Feige added that Marvel’s TV shows would now be more standalone, similar to the Netflix-era Marvel shows.

Marvel has also decided to release fewer movies. Feige said that the feature output will slow down to a maximum of three films per year. This strategy includes making sure TV shows, like Daredevil: Born Again, can succeed on their own. According to Feige, this approach helps reduce confusion among audiences and focuses more on individual storytelling.

---

In a nutshell? Marvel Studios confirmed Daredevil: Born Again will not acknowledge events from Thunderbolts*. Feige explained that this is part of Marvel’s new approach of separating TV shows from films.