Warning: This article contains spoilers for Daredevil: Born Again.

Marvel Studios can solve one of its biggest MCU criticisms by including Matt Murdock’s Daredevil in the upcoming Thunderbolts* movie. Scheduled to be released on May 2, Thunderbolts* will be the next installment in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga following Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+, though neither are really expected to explore the concept of the multiverse. Instead, both Born Again and Jake Schreier’s upcoming Thunderbolts* movie appear to be handling more grounded and gritty, New York-based stories, and this connection could bring them closer than anyone first expected.

Thunderbolts* already has an impressive cast, comprising mainly returning antiheroes and reformed villains from the MCU’s history. This includes Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen and Olga Kurylenko, while Lewis Pullman’s Sentry may also join them. Given the New York setting of the upcoming Phase 5 movie, however, Thunderbolts* could include some much-anticipated MCU cameos, and one of these provides the perfect excuse for Marvel Studios to continue Daredevil: Born Again’s recent street-level storyline.

The MCU’s Interconnected Nature Has Been Less Of A Focus In Recent Years

Marvel Studios’ Recent Projects Have Been Criticized For Not Connecting Enough

Marvel Studios set itself apart throughout the Infinity Saga by developing a level of connectivity in its shared universe of the MCU that meant almost every installment had some sort of impact on the next. This was changed with the start of the Multiverse Saga, as Marvel branched out into creating its own MCU-set TV shows for Disney+, and introduced a slew of new characters that have very little to do with each other. This has been a point of contention for many who miss the interconnectivity of the MCU, and it seems even logical crossover opportunities have been missed.

Projects such as Secret Invasion and The Marvels, Secret Invasion and Captain America: Brave New World, and Eternals and practically every other project, to name a few, could have been connected far better. Marvel Studios missed some of its best chances to explore the same kind of interconnectivity that made the Infinity Saga so popular. Instead, the Multiverse Saga has become the most divisive chapter of the MCU yet, but Marvel can finally start to solve these problems and quell any concerns, and Thunderbolts* would be a fantastic place to start.

The Number Of MCU Heroes In New York Gives The Franchise A Welcome Opportunity For More Connected Hero Stories

New York’s Superheroes & Vigilantes Could Soon Converge

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Just like in the pages of Marvel Comics, New York City is a hub of superhero activity in the MCU, with many of Marvel Studios’ heroes either coming from or relocating to New York. This has become even more prevalent throughout the Multiverse Saga, which creates the perfect opportunity for more characters to come together and for Marvel to establish a stronger sense of interconnectivity, which many have been calling for. The upcoming Thunderbolts* movie would be the perfect place for this to happen, as the тιтular team will be fighting a powerful villain to protect New York.

The Thunderbolts will be coming together to battle Lewis Pullman’s Sentry, or rather his villainous alter ego, in Thunderbolts*, as the Void will threaten to spread his darkness across New York and the world.

Some of the most powerful heroes in the MCU currently reside in New York, which should create the chance for Marvel Studios to converge their stories. While Doctor Strange might be off-world right now, Peter Parker’s story will continue as a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man in 2026’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day, while Daredevil: Born Again has developed the stories of Daredevil, the Punisher, the White Tiger and more. Ms. Marvel, Kate Bishop and several members of Marvel Studios’ upcoming Young Avengers team are also connected to New York City, which could be very exciting for the MCU.

Thunderbolts*’ storyline will be set almost entirely in New York City, with the former Avengers Tower being transformed into the Watchtower by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, perhaps as a base of operations for the Sentry. Robert Reynolds seems to be Valentina’s own manufactured hero, developed to replace the Avengers, but his going rogue will consтιтute the formation of the Thunderbolts team. We think it would be fantastic, and necessary, to see other New York-based heroes appear in Thunderbolts*, and Charlie Cox’s Daredevil is a brilliant candidate.

Daredevil: Born Again’s Story Means It Would Make Perfect Sense For The Hero To Appear In Thunderbolts*

Daredevil Would Be A Great Addition To Thunderbolts*’ Cast

Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock became a fan-favorite live-action hero throughout Marvel Television’s original Defenders Saga, that released on Netflix between 2015 and 2019 and included three seasons of Daredevil. Cox reprised the role in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, and made a series of brilliant and praised cameo appearances before embarking on a new solo adventure in Daredevil: Born Again. After a year of retirement, Matt Murdock has suited up as Daredevil again, setting him up for future appearances alongside other MCU heroes.

This could very easily include the Thunderbolts team, especially after Daredevil: Born Again’s story has seen the streets of New York City become darker and tougher under the command of Vincent D’Onofrio’s Mayor Wilson Fisk. With the Anti-Vigilante Task Force in full swing, it would make a lot of sense for Born Again’s story to roll over into Thunderbolts*, and it would actually be a huge mistake for Marvel Studios to ignore these connections. This makes us think that Charlie Cox could quickly return to the MCU after Born Again in May 2025’s Thunderbolts*.

Marvel Studios has leaned more into Matt Murdock’s superhuman abilities in Daredevil: Born Again, more than the original Daredevil series, which makes us think he would fit in perfectly among the super-soldiers and superpowered members of the Thunderbolts team. He also seems to have become a far more brutal vigilante, and this is only set to increase as Kingpin will soon be increasing his power and influence over New York. Not only will the Sentry’s attack on New York impact Daredevil, but Kingpin’s reign will impact the MCU’s newest team, so both would benefit from Matt Murdock appearing in Thunderbolts*​​​​​​​.

Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Spider-Man: Brand New Day

  Release Date

  
  July 31, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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