The season 2 finale of Daredevil: Born Again ends on a pivotal note, with Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) revealing his identity as Daredevil in court to protect Karen (Deborah Ann Woll) from prosecution. This move has ignited a wave of speculation, particularly regarding the potential return of a significant Marvel villain: The Purple Man, also known as Killgrave. For those unfamiliar, The Purple Man, created by Stan Lee and Joe Orlando, first appeared in Daredevil #4 in 1964, initially as Zebediah Killgrave, a spy who, after exposure to nerve gas, gained the ability to control minds through his voice and turned purple.
The character's connection to the current series stems from his ability to potentially undo the damage of Matt's revelation. In the comics, after a similar outing, The Purple Man's children used their inherited powers to restore Daredevil's secret identity. Showrunner Dario Scardapane and Charlie Cox have addressed the speculation, with Scardapane downplaying the use of The Purple Man for a mass brainwashing plot to reverse the reveal, and Cox surprisingly referencing the "Purple Children" from the comics as a possible, though unlikely, solution.
"The Purple Man's children used their inherited powers to restore Daredevil's secret identity."
Marvel Comics
About The Purple Man / Killgrave
The Purple Man, or Killgrave, is not new to Marvel's on-screen universe. David Tennant portrayed a version of the character, sans the purple skin, in the first season of Jessica Jones, where his mind-controlling abilities were central to the plot. Despite meeting his end at the hands of Jessica Jones, the character's legacy and powers continue to influence the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and its shows.
In the context of Daredevil: Born Again, the mention of The Purple Man by both the showrunner and Charlie Cox, albeit in a speculative manner, hints at the broad possibilities for the series' future. Given the comic book backstory where The Purple Man's children restore Daredevil's anonymity, fans are eagerly speculating about whether a similar narrative could unfold in the show.
The Significance of The Purple Man's Potential Involvement
The potential introduction of The Purple Man or his children into Daredevil: Born Again would significantly impact the series' trajectory. It could provide a narrative device to revert Matt Murdock's public outing as Daredevil, aligning with comic book lore. However, it also raises questions about the show's direction and whether it would rely on such a plot device. Scardapane's statement suggests caution against expecting a straightforward comic book adaptation, indicating the show might explore more nuanced or different paths.
"We're not planning to use The Purple Man for a mass brainwashing plot to reverse the reveal."
Dario Scardapane, Showrunner
Charlie Cox's reference to the Purple Children introduces an intriguing element, suggesting the series could delve into the more obscure corners of the Marvel Comics universe. This would not only satisfy long-time fans familiar with the comic book storyline but also offer a fresh narrative for newcomers. The involvement of The Purple Man's offspring could add a layer of complexity, exploring themes of legacy, power, and possibly even redemption.
What This Means for Fans and the Future of Daredevil: Born Again
The finale's conclusion and the subsequent discussions around The Purple Man have left fans with more questions than answers. Will the series take a page from the comics and utilize The Purple Man's legacy to undo the damage? Or will it forge a completely new path, potentially introducing The Purple Man in a manner consistent with the show's grounded tone? The reference to the Purple Children by Cox opens up possibilities for a multi-episode arc or even a season-long villain, should the show decide to incorporate them.
Given the MCU's history of interconnectedness, another possibility, though less likely according to Scardapane, could involve leveraging other powerful entities capable of altering reality or perceptions, such as Doctor Strange. However, the specific mention of The Purple Man's comic book resolution by the show's cast and crew makes this villain the most plausible candidate for addressing Matt's public reveal.
In the end, the season 2 finale of Daredevil: Born Again successfully sets the stage for a plethora of narrative directions, with The Purple Man at the center of speculation. Fans will have to wait for future seasons or official announcements to learn how, or if, this iconic villain will be woven into the show's narrative.