Vincent D’Onofrio on Daredevil: Born Again and the Evolution of Kingpin

Vincent D'Onofrio, renowned for his portrayal of the formidable Marvel villain Wilson Fisk, also known as Kingpin, is set to reprise his role in the upcoming Disney+ series Daredevil: Born Again. This new series, part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), marks a significant return for D’Onofrio and Charlie Cox, who will once again play Matt Murdock / Daredevil.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, D’Onofrio hinted at the connections between the new series and the original Daredevil show. He mentioned that “there are storylines that reach back to the original series… Where our characters are coming from, where we are, and where we’re going, some of those threads lead back.”

The casting of D’Onofrio as Kingpin was not without its challenges. Steven S. DeKnight, the showrunner of the original Daredevil series, recalled having “sleepless nights” over finding the perfect actor for the role. DeKnight ultimately convinced executives by showing them a picture of D’Onofrio with a shaved head, emphasizing that he was the only one who could bring Kingpin to life as depicted in the comics.

In preparation for his role in Daredevil: Born Again, D’Onofrio has continued the tone and physical appearance of Kingpin that he established in the Disney+ series Echo. He chose to wear a fat suit for both roles, believing it to be more realistic with modern technology and allowing him to maintain his physical health.

The series, created by Dario Scardapane and Matt Corman & Chris Ord, is set to premiere on March 4, 2025, with a first season consisting of nine episodes. It follows Matt Murdock as he fights for justice, while Wilson Fisk pursues his political ambitions in New York City, setting the stage for an inevitable confrontation between the two characters).