Daredevil: Born Again fans have mixed emotions over Marvel Studios confirming Jon Bernthal‘s return while potentially signaling Deborah Ann Woll‘s Karen Page and Elden Henson‘s Foggy Nelson may not return for the Disney Plus series. Filming has officially begun as of Monday, March 6, for the 18-episode order but excitement for the Charlie Cox-headed series has also been met with criticism over the original cast’s exclusion.
The brutal mercenary that is Frank Castle will debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe through Daredevil: Born Again, in the same fashion Punisher was introduced in the Netflix series. After months of rumors – Bernthal himself confirmed the news by sharing a screencap of the anti-hero’s last scene from The Punisher season 2. Sadly, not all Daredevil fans have been able to rejoice since a pivotal character from Frank Castle’s arc is at the risk of being “recast or excised from the story” as THR reports.
The trade outlet claims neither Deborah Ann Woll or Henson are mentioned on the roll call for the Daredevil series. It should be noted Marvel Studios has already replaced Daredevil’s suitmaker, Melvin Potter, with Luke Jacobson in She-Hulk so it’s possible for the MCU version of Matt Murdock to retcon other characters as well.
Daredevil: Born Again fans are disappointed over Karen Page and Foggy Nelson’s possibly not returning
From the looks of it, Amy Rutberg may have no hope of a return while Ann Woll & Henson’s future in the Marvel Universe has come into question. In addition, this could also mean the studio may go in a different direction with Elektra rather than approach Elodie Yung. Nevertheless, some fans are still holding out hope since the series is expected to film over a period of nine months. Readers can check out reactions below.
i would take karen and foggy over punisher in the daredevil show any day of the week
— doctor idk (@bigmonkeong) March 7, 2023
daredevil stans finding out the punisher is returning for born again only to find out foggy and karen aren’t pic.twitter.com/qsfM51qYK3
— zara (@murdockink) March 7, 2023
I would rather bring back Foggy and Karen then Punisher tbh
— Muks (@mukumuks) March 7, 2023
Me when Jon Bernthal’s Punisher is back in Daredevil: Born Again, but they might recast Foggy Nelson and Karen Page pic.twitter.com/xAvGcpl6KP
— BLURAYANGEL 🦇 (@blurayangel) March 7, 2023
Watered down Punisher and no Foggy & Karen? Laaaame. https://t.co/baw7FnECl6
— Aaron S Bailey 🚀⚡ (@AaronBaileyArt) March 8, 2023
This is hugely disappointing.
I loved both of their performances, and Karen especially was central to both DD and Punisher. I hope there's a reason this makes sense.
Maybe the plot is taking Matt out of NY and we'll see them return later? Here's hoping. https://t.co/JiSewAZtWn
— Pete Imbesi (@Loud_Pete) March 7, 2023
Seeing Punisher return to Daredevil then immediately seeing that Karen and Foggy WONT return… pic.twitter.com/TjlP1MYrv0
— TheDoctorX11 (@TheDoctorX11) March 7, 2023
Jon Bernthal will return as Punisher /
Elden Henson and Deborah Ann Woll are not returning as Foggy Nelson and Karen Page pic.twitter.com/D6Uh186DqV— B 🌾 (@dianaxgatsby) March 7, 2023
New Daredevil show won't have Foggy or Karen but will have The Punisher?` pic.twitter.com/arCA7pclOe
— Jesse Farrell (@JFSculpts) March 8, 2023
These 3 people trying to find the light in all that darkness was the heart of the Daredevil series. I love Jon Bernthal’s Punisher but him returning over Karen and Foggy just means this is another "yooo that was a sick cameo" Disney + mess. pic.twitter.com/9pwSYg6nQz
— ClarkQuill97 (@CQuill97) March 7, 2023
No joke I would more likely clap seeing Foggy & Karen again than seeing Punisher https://t.co/5Ia5pnEFxK
— Puss In Boots Sweep 😺🗡🌟 (@FandomMenaceLs2) March 8, 2023
bringing back punisher but NOT KAREN?? i always knew the mcu didn’t cherish real romance https://t.co/nvwHSKwH3U
— harvey al dente 🍝✨ (@foeyeahboi) March 7, 2023
Ok everyone just calm down for a bit💀
We literally know nothing about the show other than it's 18 episodes and Punisher is coming back💀
And Foggy and Karen could still be in the show and the actors just didn't arrive on set yet. The show is shooting for 9 MONTHS— TK-5⁵ (@_TK_555555) March 7, 2023
But…I love them. Why not use them? They make me happy. If Punisher is coming back, doesn’t that mean his Karen should? And I want Foggy to know Matt banged She-Hulk & have him gush/blush around her. It won’t be the same with a “newly introduced best friend”. https://t.co/ukpAKALm3H
— Oddly Specific with Audra (@OddlyAudra) March 7, 2023
Jon coming back as the punisher in daredevil but Karen and foggy aren’t pic.twitter.com/LaxBabBNVY
— Jack (Scream 6 era) (@JackCarterthfc) March 7, 2023
"Jon Bernthal is returning as The Punisher in ‘DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN’."
"Elden Henson and Deborah Ann Woll are not returning as Foggy Nelson and Karen Page in ‘DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN’." pic.twitter.com/nifkH89oGd
— Muks (@mukumuks) March 7, 2023
I would choose Karen & Foggy over The Punisher in Born Again pic.twitter.com/j9s4OE8v6m
— Prime (@prime_pics151) March 7, 2023
id rather karen and foggy than the punisher ngl😭 https://t.co/YrpKHX39aj
— ➳ m (@616buckley_) March 7, 2023
bringing the punisher back but not karen is insane actually
— melisa (@cherikfrost) March 8, 2023
Hearing that The Punisher is returning, but Froggy and Karen aren't in Daredevil Born Again… pic.twitter.com/39GAyokfEG
— Rorschach Journal (@RonaldC0525) March 7, 2023
I think they are just as essential if not more essential than Punisher. As happy as I am to see Jon Bernthal back I would say that Karen and Foggy were there from the beginning and are great characters to just throw away. https://t.co/AMpLulZhVM
— THEDARKKNIGHTMAR3 (@DARKKNIGHTMAR3) March 8, 2023
see now i’m scared for Daredevil Born Again because if Jon Bernthal’s Punisher has a place in the show but Karen & Foggy don’t they what exactly are they doing here?
i’m still very excited but i’m just lost right now https://t.co/mysOYPEP3h
— Craig (@CS11__) March 7, 2023
To jog the reader’s memory, Karen Page served as the link in introducing Punisher into Matt Murdock’s storyline. It eventually led to Frank Castle’s arc being fleshed out in a standalone series that also featured Page.
Meanwhile, Krysten Ritter was one of the few Marvel actors to react to Bernthal’s post. With Jessica Jones also expected to return through the same series, her excitement does not come as a surprise. On the bright side, Vincent D’Onofrio will grace the screen once again as Wilson Fisk. Moreover, a list of new faces is also joining the show namely Margarita Levieva, Nikkie James and Michael Gandolfini.
Daredevil: Born Again is expected to land on Disney Plus in the Spring of 2024.
