Notice: ENORMOUS spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again episodes 1 & 2 onward!
Daredevil: Born Again directors Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson express their concerns regarding how Marvel fans might respond to the shocking demise of one of the original Netflix series’ key characters, Foggy – yet they feel assured that they executed it well.
“Honestly, there’s some apprehension about it, but we realized that it’s more distressing than it is infuriating. It is distressing. It troubles us too,” Moorhead shares with GamesRadar+. “The choice to do it was made prior to our involvement, but we thought, if we’re going to proceed, then let’s do it properly. Let’s make it a focus for the entire season. This was also, Dario [Scardapane], our showrunner’s concept: let’s ensure that the entire season revolves around him confronting the sorrow and repercussions of what he has done because Foggy has passed away.”
In the opening quarter-hour of the show, Foggy is shot in the back by Bullseye – and Matt, suited up and fighting fiercely, is unable to rescue him – or eliminate Bullseye for that matter. Subsequently, we jump forward one year to Matt testifying against Bullseye in court, and he and Karen are no longer on speaking terms. Oh, and did we mention that one of Matt’s fiercest adversaries, Wilson Fisk also known as Kingpin, is campaigning for Mayor of New York? (Although, if you viewed Echo, you’re already aware of that).
Devotees of the original Netflix series were quite insistent about Foggy and Karen’s return, so it’s fair to say some individuals will be quite upset. However, it drives the entire season – and showrunner Dario Scardapane indicated it won’t be the last we see of Foggy.
What’s even more astonishing is that it was initially intended, in the discarded revival, for Foggy’s death to occur off-screen. A gripping, single-take fight scene is vastly superior and cooler – allowing us to experience the weight of Matt’s turmoil.
Moorhead further comments: “It’s the exclamation point that concludes the single-take. As we’ve contemplated it, we find solace.”