It’s finally happening, Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock (aka Daredevil) is officially back, already appearing in both Spider-Man: No Way Home and She-Hulk, with hopes for more cameos plus an 18-episode series from Disney Plus. It’s safe to say that Matt Murdock has already cemented himself into the MCU with no plans of leaving anytime soon.
Despite the multiple appearances of Charlie Cox as both Matt Murdock and Daredevil, we still have yet to see any of the other Defenders-era characters emerge.
So, with that being said, let’s dive into the top 10 Marvel-Netflix characters who should join the MCU next… because they’re bound to eventually.
Keep in mind that Marvel Studios now own all of the rights to the Marvel-Netflix shows, so technically these characters already belong to the MCU – they just haven’t appeared… yet.
ALSO READ: Charlie Cox May Quit Daredevil Role If New Series Flops
Danny Rand (aka Iron Fist)
We start this list with Iron Fist, also known as Danny Rand, who was portrayed by the actor Finn Jones during the Netflix-Defenders era – sadly though, the show didn’t quite land the punch that everyone had hoped it would.
Introducing a character like Iron Fist into the Daredevil world back in the Netflix days was a risk that the big bosses were willing to take, but many viewers at the time were sceptical about the initial series and more importantly the character himself – but to be fair, not EVERYONE was against Finn Jones’ Iron Fist.
Luckily, the show was enjoyed by enough people for the studio to greenlight a second season, plus place Iron Fist into both the only season of Defenders and the second season of Luke Cage. It is also worth mentioning that the two seasons also set the ground for many other live-action characters from the Marvel comics to be introduced – such as Colleen Wing, the Steel Serpent, and many more.
Iron Fist comes in at rank number ten for this list, not only because of his indestructible fist when powered with chi, but when considering his backstory and potential in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – it would be a waste not to bring Finn Jones back as Danny Rand into the future of the MCU.
Malcolm Ducasse
It’s not every day you can say you have been mind controlled by David Tennant’s Purple Man to then being the personal assistant and best friend of Jessica Jones – but Eka Darville’s Malcolm Ducasse sure can. If anybody should enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe before Jessica Jones herself, it should be Malcolm Ducasse.
An appearance from, let’s just say it, the other half of Jessica Jones’ private investigative business “Alias Private Investigations” would not only solidify the future return of Jones but also get the fans hyped up to the max. Where could Mr Ducasse show up though, could he make an appearance in the early episodes of Daredevil: Born Again perhaps? – only time will tell, but this would surely be a great way to pave the way for their full return.
Claire Temple (aka Night Nurse)
Rosario Dawson’s Claire Temple is a well-deserving addition to this list as her character was arguably the key element to connecting all of the main characters together, besides the villainous group ‘The Hand’ that is. Dawson’s Claire Temple, also known as Night Nurse, would consistently appear throughout each Defenders-related Netflix show.
Whether it was Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, or Luke Cage: Claire Temple would always end up getting mixed up in the heroes’ affairs in one way or another. Despite her character never asking for any of the trouble that came her way, she would always find a way to help out and even introduce characters to each other.
If one thing was for certain, it was that fans were expecting at least a cameo from Clare in each new addition to the Defenders-saga – eventually turning her into a fan favourite that would surely be missed in the MCU.
Karen Page
From seeking true justice through her investigative journalism skills to literally taking down Kingpin’s right-hand man James Wesley, Karen Page is a must-have for the MCU reboot of the Daredevil franchise. If having the ability to calm down Frank Castle on his worst day isn’t classed as a superpower, then nothing should be.
Karen Page was a vital part of the original launch for the Defenders run in the first season of Daredevil, playing a large part in not only one but various story arcs throughout the many years of the Marvel-Netflix saga. If it wasn’t for Page’s desire to seek out the corruption of Hell’s Kitchen, many foes would have never been brought out to the light for who they truly were.
This makes Karen Page a vital asset to the team of Matt Murdock, both in his legal day job as a lawyer all the way to his crime-fighting job on the side – depending on which job we consider to be on the “side” that is.
ALSO READ: Charlie Cox Addresses Daredevil MCU Canonicity Debate
Colleen Wing
Although Jessica Henwick’s career has skyrocketed these past few years, we’re all still hoping that her busy schedule doesn’t rule out a possible Colleen Wing appearance in the MCU.
Since her involvement in multiple Defenders-era shows, Henwich has gone on to work in projects such as The Matrix Resurrections, The Gray Man, and most recently Netflix’s Glass Onion: A Knives Out Story. So at least we know she hasn’t gone anywhere too far, leaving plenty of chance for the return and hopeful continuation of Collen Wing’s storyline from the Iron Fist run.
However, this wouldn’t be her first opportunity to enter the MCU, with the reveal that she was actually offered to star in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings back in 2021 as Shang Chi’s sister Xu Xialing – which would have been a waste of her contribution as Colleen Wing if you ask me!
Misty Knight
The one-armed and crime-fighting Misty Knight, played by Simone Missick, made for an excellent character to bring from the comics into the live-action Marvel world. If she wasn’t getting all up in Jessica Jones’ business, she would be assisting Luke Cage to take down the big baddies of Harlem – even if it meant putting her own career on the line.
Misty Knight knew exactly what needed to be done, and when it needed to happen, providing strength and courage in situations that truly needed it – plus, just like an appearance from Malcolm Ducasse, this would be a perfect way to set up the return of Mike Colter’s Luke Cage for the MCU.
Luke Cage
Speaking of the devil, Mike Colter’s Luke Cage is next on this list of characters who should join the Marvel Cinematic Universe and provide light on the unfinished story arc we were left with during his second season. Despite Cage being one the main members of the Defenders team, not that the team ever officialised anything in the first place, you just can’t have Daredevil without bringing his team from the Netflix days.
This return could either reboot the entire storyline that was being told during the second season of the show or just continue, in some shape or form and solidify his future in the world of the MCU.
Foggy Nelson
Now, if you’re thinking “how could Foggy Nelson rank higher than Luke Cage?”, let us explain – Foggy may not be a superpowered Defenders member – but he is a vital character to Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock and Daredevil.
The perks don’t come easy when being the lifelong best friend of Daredevil, plus being the co-owner in a literal law firm that is run by the two characters – with help from Karen Page of course. Seeing that Charlie Cox has already been well-established in the MCU, it only makes sense that Foggy Nelson should be the next to follow.
It is almost surprising that Elden Henson’s Foggy Nelson hasn’t already made some sort of an appearance, whether it be in Spider-Man: No Way Home or even Disney Plus’ She-Hulk series. However, despite the official announcement yet to be made from the studio, Henson’s involvement in Daredevil: Born Again should be highly expected.
Jessica Jones
Coming in at a close second is Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones, her iconic take on the character is still beloved to this day – with fans highly anticipating a return in the very near future. Ritter’s Jessica Jones is a top-tier series plus character in the Marvel-Netflix run, with some fans ranking her even higher than Daredevil himself.
Krysten Ritter was lucky enough to get three seasons before Marvel Studios managed to acquire the rights back from Netflix, however, her storyline was far from finished. Jessica Jones’ has so much potential for future storylines, continuations of old storylines, and especially to team up with some other mighty heroes in the MCU.
Fans have even highlighted recently, as of writing this article, that Krysten Ritter’s social posts could possibly be teasing her involvement in the next Daredevil series. Spotting Ritter wearing Daredevil merchandise while getting back into a regular workout at the gym, these two things surely can’t just be a funny little joke from the star.
ALSO READ: Did Krysten Ritter Just Tease Jessica Jones’ Return?
The Punisher
Last but not least, the number one character on this list is none other than Jon Bernthal’s brutal crime-fighting Frank Castle, also known as The Punisher by the fans and by his victims.
Castle plays the judge, jury, and especially the executioner in all of Marvel’s adaptations of the character but his extreme violence makes fans ask if he would be too much for Disney. However, with the announcement of Deadpool and Wolverine returning for Deadpool 3, we should hopefully be safe in those regards.
Disney and Marvel Studios will surely know that the more mature and older audience would love to have the gritty storylines make it into phase 5 plus future phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Daredevil: Born Again and Deadpool 3 will be the first examples of what these reboots will look like if they will be toned down or not.
So, in the meantime, all we can do is wait and see how dark Disney are willing to let Marvel Studios go with these franchises – keep your fingers crossed is all we’re saying.
ALSO READ: Charlie Cox Wants His Daredevil To Join Ryan Reynolds In Deadpool 3
Daredevil: Born Again is set to release in 2024 with an 18-episode series on Disney Plus.
