Summary
Daredevil: Born Againcast member Michael Gandolfini plays an unknown character, which has prompted a few theories. Now, showrunner Dario Scardapane has shed light on Gandolfini’s role while leaving some mystery.
A few months afterDaredevil: Born Againwas officially announced by Marvel Studios, Michael Gandolfini (son of lateThe Sorpanosstar James Gandolfini) joined the cast as a characterDeadlinedescribed as “an ambitious guy from Staten Island” named Liam. EarlyDaredevil: Born Againset photossuggested there would be flashback episodes, leading some fans to speculate that Michael Gandolfini was playing a young Wilson Fisk, aka Kingpin. There are documents indicating Michael Gandolfini’s character is named Daniel Blade, with rumors adding that he works as part of Mayor Wilson Fisk’s staff. This has led to some confusion and speculation that Michael Gandolfini’s true role is being kept under wraps, but Scardapane has seemingly debunked at least one theory.
During an interview withSFX Magazine(viaComicBookMovie),Scardapane confirmed that Michael Gandolfini is not playing a young Wilson Fisk as some speculated. Instead, Scardapen revealed,Michael Gandolfini plays Kingpin’s “protégé who is pulled into a world he barely understands.“However, Scardapane did not reveal the name of Michael Gandolfini’s character. So, it’s unclear if the Daniel Blade reports are accurate, if he’s playing a different role, and/or if he portrays characters from the comics.
Assuming Michael Gandolfini is playing a character named Daniel Blade who is a protege to Kingin, this does leave the door open for a different rumor to be true. Some fans speculate that Michael Gandolfini is playing Richard Fisk, the son of Wilson and Vanessa Fisk in the comics. Considering Wilson Fisk and Vanessa’s relationship was relatively young in the Netflix series and there is only afive-year time jump from that show toDaredevil: Born Again, Michael Gandolfini is likely too old to be their child. However, he could be Kingpin’s illegitimate son from a past relationship, which might explain why he chose to take the young man under his wing.
Of course, this is all purely speculative. It’s possible that the reports on Michael Gandolfini playing Daniel Blade are true and not the red herring fans suspect. Fans have just over a month to find out, and the anticipation is building. While Scardapane’s recent criticism about the Netflix series hassome fans concerned thatDaredevil: Born Againdoesn’t understand what viewers loved about the original show, most are just excited to finally see Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, and more reprise their roles. WhetherDaredevil: Born Againcan live up to expectations remains to be seen, but the talented cast alone is reason to be optimistic.
Daredevil: Born Againpremieres on June 09, 2025, on Disney Plus.
Daredevil: Born Again
After Charlie Cox’s cameo appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home and supporting role in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Daredevil: Born Again gives Matt Murdock his first show set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Daredevil: Born Again continues the story that started in Netflix’s three-season Daredevil series and sees Wilson Fisk ascend to mayor of New York City.
