MCU’s shift from Daredevil: Born Again to Thunderbolts* highlights its ongoing tonal tug-of-war

Daredevil: Born Again finished the nine-episode first season on April 15, 2025. As that happened, fans have been wondering about Wilson Fisk and how his martial law will play in the overall MCU. Also, the next MCU project, Thunderbolts*, is set to release in two weeks on May 2, 2025. That's because at least a portion of the movie is expected to unfold in the city.

It was confirmed in one Thunderbolts'* trailer that CIA director Val had purchased the old Avengers Tower, first seen in 2012's The Avengers. Therefore, the mysterious villain The Void will be terrorizing the same city we saw being under Fisk's oppression in Daredevil: Born Again. This has some fans complaining about a supposed tonal whiplash between Born Again and Thunderbolts*.

However, it must be noted that these complaints of "tonal whiplash" might be an overreaction on the fans' part. Here's why.

What happens in the Daredevil: Born Again finale?

The finale of Daredevil: Born Again ended with Wilson Fisk tightening his grip over New York. Moreover, he has banned masked vigilantes and imprisoned his opponents, including Frank Castle/The Punisher. Since Fisk has banned masked heroes in New York, many are wondering how the characters of Thunderbolts* would function in the movie.

Is there a tonal whiplash between Daredevil: Born Again and Thunderbolts*?

But here's the thing, though: it can be argued that none of the characters in the Thunderbolts* are vigilantes. Considering that all the characters in that anti-hero team are assembled by the CIA director, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these characters might be more like government operatives. Or even if they were not hired as government operatives, all of these are experienced enough to evade Fisk's anti-vigilante task force.

Thus, there are numerous explanations as to why the Thunderbolts* can overcome the threat of The Void. For those uninitiated, The Void in the Marvel Comics is the darker half of Sentry, Marvel's Superman. It remains to be seen, however, if The Void is the darker side of Sentry in Thunderbolts* or not.

Fans are theorizing that in the movie, the Sentry was created under the supervision of CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Thus, even if Fisk's martial law from the Daredevil: Born Again finale is active during the events of Thunderbolts*, it must be noted that Fisk is just the mayor of New York.

While he and his anti-vigilante task force have unprecedented powers in matters related to New York law, CIA business may mean that Sentry and the rest of the Thunderbolts* might pass off as government operatives, meaning they are immune from prosecution by Fisk.

Thus, there are countless ways in which the upcoming Thunderbolts* movie could address Wilson Fisk's martial law from the Daredevil: Born Again finale.

"In Marvel Television’s 'Daredevil: Born Again', Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), a blind lawyer with heightened abilities, is fighting for justice through his bustling law firm, while former mob boss Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) pursues his own political endeavors in New York. When their past identities begin to emerge, both men find themselves on an inevitable collision course."

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What do you think? How will the upcoming MCU movie Thunderbolts* address the events of the Daredevil: Born Again finale? Let us know.

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