The return of Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock in Daredevil: Born Again has thrilled fans, but many have noticed a striking difference in the hero’s fighting style—this time, he’s far more acrobatic. Compared to the gritty, grounded brawling of Netflix’s Daredevil, the new Disney+ series showcases a more dynamic, fluid version of the Man Without Fear.
So, why the change? Steven S. DeKnight, the original showrunner of Netflix’s Daredevil, recently weighed in with an explanation that makes perfect sense—and it all comes down to creative freedom, budget, and the evolving vision of the character.
The Netflix Era: A Gritty, Grounded Daredevil
When Daredevil debuted on Netflix in 2015, it redefined superhero television with its brutal, street-level realism. The fight scenes—particularly the now-legendary hallway brawl in Season 1—were praised for their raw intensity. Charlie Cox’s Daredevil relied heavily on boxing, martial arts, and sheer endurance, making every punch feel visceral and exhausting.
This approach wasn’t just a stylistic choice; it was born out of necessity.
“We were working with a TV budget and schedule,” DeKnight explained in a recent interview. “Doing elaborate acrobatics would’ve required more time, more stunt coordination, and more VFX—things we didn’t always have.”
Netflix’s Daredevil was also influenced by the tone of the early Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) shows, which leaned into darker, more realistic storytelling. The goal was to make Murdock’s struggles feel tangible, and that extended to his combat style—every fight left him battered, reinforcing his humanity.
The Shift in Born Again: A More Comic-Accurate Daredevil
Fast-forward to Daredevil: Born Again, and the differences are immediately apparent. In the trailers and behind-the-scenes footage, Cox’s Daredevil flips, spins, and moves with an agility much closer to his comic book counterpart.
DeKnight suggests this shift is a natural evolution.
“Now that Daredevil is fully integrated into the MCU, there’s more room to embrace the character’s comic book roots,” he said. “Disney has bigger budgets, more resources, and a different visual language. It makes sense that they’d want to showcase his acrobatics.”
In the comics, Daredevil is known for his gymnastic prowess—a skill stemming from his radar sense and years of training. While the Netflix series hinted at this (such as his rooftop parkour scenes), Born Again appears to be fully unleashing it.
The Influence of the MCU’s Expanding Universe
Another factor is the broader MCU’s stylistic influence. Since Daredevil’s Netflix days, superhero films and shows have become more visually dynamic, with characters like Spider-Man and Black Widow performing breathtaking stunts.
“Audiences expect a certain level of spectacle now,” DeKnight noted. “If you’re going to have Daredevil sharing the screen with other MCU heroes, it makes sense to amp up his agility.”
This doesn’t mean Born Again is abandoning realism entirely. Early reports indicate the show will still maintain emotional depth and street-level stakes—but with a more comic-booky flair in the action sequences.
Fan Reactions: Mixed but Mostly Positive
While some purists loved the brutal realism of Netflix’s Daredevil, many fans are excited to see a more acrobatic take.
“This is how Daredevil should move!” one fan tweeted after the trailer dropped. “He’s supposed to be a human spider, flipping between buildings.”
Others are cautiously optimistic, hoping the increased agility won’t come at the expense of the character’s vulnerability.
“I just hope they don’t make him too superhuman,” another fan commented. “Part of what made Charlie’s Daredevil great was that he got hurt, he got tired—he felt real.”
The Future of Daredevil’s Fighting Style
With Born Again set to explore new layers of Matt Murdock’s life—including his legal career, his faith, and his relationship with the larger MCU—his combat style seems to be evolving alongside his story.
DeKnight’s take suggests that this isn’t a rejection of the Netflix approach but rather an expansion.
“Different interpretations can coexist,” he said. “The Netflix show was its own thing, and Born Again is its own thing. What matters is that the heart of the character stays true.”
Final Thoughts: A Hero in Motion
Daredevil’s increased agility in Born Again reflects both the MCU’s grander scale and a desire to bring the character closer to his comic book essence. While the Netflix series will always be celebrated for its grounded brutality, this new iteration promises a fresh, dynamic take on the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen.
For fans, the best part is that Charlie Cox is still behind the mask, ensuring that no matter how many flips he adds to his repertoire, Matt Murdock’s soul remains intact.
As Born Again prepares to debut, one thing is clear: Daredevil isn’t just back—he’s more unstoppable than ever.