Marvel’s first partnership with Netflix exceeded all expectations in terms of quality and overall commercial success of their show Daredevil. The adaptation of the long-running Marvel Comics series about Matt Murdock, a lawyer by day and vigilante by night, connected with audiences in search of a new show to binge watch. The TV series was the first attempt by the studio to take on a mature, violent tone and it served as the perfect counter-balance to the all-inclusive approach to the Avengers franchise.
Marvel is prepping their second season and according to a rumor from Latino Review, they are looking to add iconic villains from the world of Marvel Comics and are pursuing actor Jason Statham. LR reports that Marvel would like Statham for the role of Bullseye, the marksman who is one of Daredevil’s most skilled opponents. In the 2003 version, the role was played by Colin Farrell, who had a broad performance that didn’t necessarily do the character justice. On more than one occasion Statham has mentioned his disinterest in Marvel movies specifically. /Film has a recent quote where he explains:
A lot of the modern sort of action movies I see, you know, Marvel comic sort of things, I just think, any guy can do it. I have no ambition. I mean, I could take my grandma and put her in a cape, and then put her in a greenscreen, and then have stunt doubles come in and do all the action. Anybody can do it. I mean, they’re relying on stunt doubles, and greenscreen, and $200 million budget, it’s all CGI-created. So to me, that is not authentic. I’m inspired by old, real star guys that can really do it.
It seems that Statham would be an unlikely fit for the Marvel cinematic universe. He has a solid movie career, with his newest movie Spy coming out this month. So it is also unclear if he is even interested in dipping into the world of television. However if there was a franchise that the action star could blend into, it would have to be Daredevil. The first season’s action was mostly grounded martial arts work. In fact, the show can be seen as revolutionary in some ways, particularly how realistic the toll of fighting takes on the characters while in combat. Some of the most memorable shots were not of Murdock doing roundhouse kicks or backflips, but of him simply trying to pull himself off of the ground due to exhaustion.
Bullseye’s real identity is unknown. He doesn’t have any super powers, he is just an exceptional marksman and fighter, who has the uncanny ability to use almost any object as a deadly projectile. It is a role that is directly in Statham’s wheelhouse if the rumored talks are true. LR also reports that Marvel is looking to add more classic characters from the pages of the comics.
Aside from Bullseye, other villainous characters who are said to appear in Daredevil’s highly-anticipated second season include Mr Fear, Mysterio (one of Spider-Man’s iconic rogues), and Elektra – Daredevil’s eventual love interest.
If these new additions to the series are true, it is clear that Marvel is trying to make the world of Daredevil more colorful and action packed. The first season saw Daredevil mostly going up against anonymous thugs, up until his final confrontation with the Kingpin. It looks like Daredevil’s world will begin to change in the second season, which is signaled by the introduction of a character like Mysterio. A former special effects artist who creates elaborate illusions, how that would affect a man who can’t see is unknown however. What is interesting is that Spider-Man’s world is slowly being peppered into the MCU. If this rumor is true, it is also a signal that we shouldn’t expect to see Mysterio in a big role in the movies anytime soon. Since the tone of the franchises are literally day and night.
The inclusion of Elektra has been telegraphed since it was mentioned that Murdock had dated a Greek college student in his past during the first season. There have been recent reports of the role being in the casting phase, with auditions happening in LA the past few weeks. Elektra, who was previously played by Jennifer Garner, is an assassin and goes on to become Murdock’s greatest love in one of Marvel Comics’ greatest sagas. It is unclear how much the second season will adapt their story, but the inclusion of secret ninja societies in the first season and Bulleye in the second, signal that some elements will appear in the show.
The details of season two of Daredevil should solidify soon, so make sure to stay tuned for the latest. If the rumors pan out, how would you feel about Statham for Bullseye? Let us know on , , ! Share our stories by simply clicking your social media below!