Spider-Man: No Way Home was a fan fest full of surprises, callbacks, and cameos. While Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's web-slingers and the film's roster of past Spidey villains tend to dominate the conversation, Charlie Cox's reprisal of Matt Murdock's Daredevil was also a fan-favorite moment of the Tom Holland-led threequel.
The Netflix actor's return as Marvel's "really good lawyer" was brief, but it did imply the studio's interest in continuing the character's story within the MCU.
Up until Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige confirmed Cox would return as Daredevil in some form or fashion ahead of Spider-Man: No Way Home's theatrical release, Cox vehemently denied fan hopes and rumors concerning his return. With No Way Home out to the public now, many assumed all of Cox's denials were lies. According to the actor, those dismissals were actually true - for a time.
Daredevil's Charlie Cox Explains His Spider-Man Lies
When asked about how he's handling the reveal of his Daredevil cameo in Spider-Man: No Way Home and his future in the MCU, Cox told Supanova he "still [doesn't] know what the rules are:"
“I don't think I've done any interviews. I still don't know what the rules are. Obviously, it's now known that I'm in Spider-Man. So, yeah. But more than that, I don't know, and the little I do know, I'm obviously not going to say. But the only thing I would say is that for a long time I was asked these questions and I genuinely had not heard anything."
Much like Andrew Garfield, Charlie Cox had also denied his involvement in Tom Holland's Spider-Man threequel for months; but according to the actor, he was "only lying for a little bit of time:"
“For years, I have been asked questions about returning as Daredevil, and the genuine truth was I 100% assumed that was gone, that ship had just sailed. I didn't hear from any of the folks at Marvel for a couple of years. It does now look like I was lying for a long time. I actually wasn't, I was only lying for a little bit of time. You still don't want to spoil it for people.”
In regard to his future in the MCU as Matt Murdock and Daredevil and what that might look like, Cox's only reply was one of gratitude:
“I mean look, I feel so lucky to have been cast in that role and it is the gift that keeps on giving. I loved every single minute of making the show. And so, to be asked to come back and to be involved in any capacity is absolutely thrilling to me."
The Meaning Behind Daredevil's Spider-Man Cameo
When it comes to the MCU, there's usually a reason for everything. This is why Cox's return to the character of Matt Murdock in No Way Home was so impactful, because it means Marvel has plans for the vigilante. Also, his reprisal wasn't the first time the MCU made use of the former Netflix series and its stars. Actor Vincent D'Onofrio reprised his role as Daredevil's Kingpin in Hawkeye on Disney+ which, interestingly enough, overlapped with Spider-Man: No Way Home's December release.
Due to this, along with both characters' ties to existing MCU characters, Cox's Matt Murdock has even more potential to return in a future project or film than fellow No Way Home surprises Tobey Maguire or Andrew Garfield. Still, Cox's admission that he had been telling the truth about not knowing of Marvel's intentions is telling, since it implies his reprisal hasn't been part of the plan for long.
Since Marvel Studios plans their phases and interconnected projects years in advance, it doesn't look like a Daredevil film or solo series is on the horizon just yet. However, Tom Holland has already expressed interest in a Daredevil and Spider-Man team-up. Plus, Matt Murdock's career as a lawyer is a natural fit for She-Hulk on Disney+.
While Daredevil's future within the Marvel Cinematic Universe is currently unknown, it's safe to say that it's anything but uncertain.
Spider-Man: No Way Home is playing in theaters worldwide.
