Daredevil: Born Again just made a Spider-Man reference and here's how it ties it to the MCU

Rejoice, Marvel fans! Daredevil: Born Again has dropped a major easter egg regarding Spider-Man. Daredevil: Born Again aired its first two episodes on Disney+ on March 4, 2025. As a part of Phase Five of the MCU, the first season is slated to have nine episodes.

In Daredevil: Born Again, Season 1, Episode 2, Wilson Fisk (Kingpin) makes a surprising reference to Spider-Man in his mayoral speech. The Disney+ series has teased fans of a possible crossover between the two heroes within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Daredevil: Born Again is a continuation of the much-celebrated TV series Daredevil (2015-18). The plot is based on the clash between a blind lawyer turned vigilante, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), and mob boss Wilson Fisk (Vincent D'Onofrio), both running for mayor of New York City. The synopsis reads,

"In Marvel Television's Daredevil: Born Again, Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer with heightened abilities, is fighting for justice through his bustling law firm, while former mob boss Wilson Fisk pursues his political endeavours in New York. When their past identities begin to emerge, both men find themselves in inevitable collision."

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What does Wilson Fisk's reference to Spider-Man in Daredevil: Born Again mean for the MCU?

Daredevil: Born Again Episode 2 opens with Wilson Fisk (Kingpin) giving his mayoral speech celebrating his win on New York's Eve. While addressing the public, he dismisses masked vigilantes, including Frank Castle- Punisher (gun-toting vigilante who wears a gun on his chest) and Daredevil ('guy who wears devil horns to save us'), calling them unnecessary in a city well-protected. Fisk continued - he wanted a safe, police-ruled state free of vigilantes. However, his indirect comment about Spider-Man is what stands out. Fisk says,

"We don't need a man who dresses in a spider outfit."

This iconic moment is the first time in the MCU that Kingpin acknowledged Spider-Man within the context of Daredevil: Born Again. What makes this more interesting is that Spider-Man is clumped in the same category as Daredevil, suggesting that the MCU is widening its aspects.

While Fisk's comments might be indirect, the speech implies a shared connection between the heroes. Previously in the comic, The Amazing Spider-Man #50 by Stan Lee, released in July 1967, Kingpin was mentioned as Spider-Man's foe. Since then, fans have waited for a face-off between the two.

Even though the Spider-Man cameo may not be happening within the immediate episodes of Daredevil: Born Again, the MCU has demonstrated its ability to interconnect plotlines. A face-off between Mayor Wilson Fisk and Kingpin could be one of the most exciting prospects for MCU's future.

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Will Spider-Man cameo in Daredevil: Born Again?

The chances of Spider-Man making a cameo in Daredevil: Born Again are low, much to the dismay of fans hoping for a crossover. In a recent interview, the show's executive producer Brad Winderbaum explained the legal disputes over Spider-Man rights, making a cameo impossible. Any live-action usage of the character outside Sony's Spider-Man films is complicated due to Sony's right to the character.

Winderbaum further explained that while animation offers more flexibility for incorporating Spider-Man, the rights agreement would, however, not allow Tom Holland's version to appear in Daredevil. In an interview with Bradon Davis, Winderbaum stated,

"Those characters are so well known in the world that we are in, you don't need to say their names."

He continued when asked about a Spider-Man cameo in Disney+ live action,

"I am not sure exactly what the rules are, but I think they have the form television rights. He can do like 30 minute animation. I think"

Read More: Daredevil: Born Again reveals why Matt Murdock decides to stop being Daredevil

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