Every hero is defined by the villain that opposes him. Marvel has announced who will play Wilson Fisk, aka The Kingpin, in their show Marvel’s Daredevil. Acclaimed actor Vincent D’Onofrio (Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Men in Black) will be wearing the big, white business suit in the upcoming 13-episode run, coming to Netflix next year. Here is the official announcement from Marvel:
Marvel and Netflix are proud to announce that acclaimed actor Vincent D’Onofrio has joined “Marvel’s Daredevil,” an all-new 13-episode series premiering on Netflix in 2015. Best known for his critically-lauded work in “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” “Men in Black, “Full Metal Jacket” and “Homicide,” D’Onofrio will play Wilson Fisk, a powerful businessman whose interests in the future of Hell’s Kitchen will bring him into conflict with the blind attorney Matt Murdock and his alter ego Daredevil.
D’Onofrio joins Charlie Cox, previously announced as Matt Murdock, in the exciting cast of “Marvel’s Daredevil.”
“We’re incredibly proud to have an actor with the gravitas and versatility of Vincent joining ‘Marvel’s Daredevil’ in such an integral role,” said Jeph Loeb, Marvel’s Head of Television. “Wilson Fisk is an iconic villain whose cunning and power make him the dangerous equal of our hero.”
“Marvel’s Daredevil” follows the journey of Matt Murdock, who was blinded as a young boy but imbued with extraordinary senses, now fighting against injustice by day as a lawyer, and by night as the super hero Daredevil in modern day Hell’s Kitchen, New York City.
Marvel’s first original series on Netflix is Executive Produced by series Showrunner Steven S. DeKnight (“Spartacus”, “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer”, “Angel”) and Drew Goddard (“Cabin in the Woods,” “Lost,” “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” in addition to writing the first two episodes of “Marvel’s Daredevil”), along with Marvel TV’s Jeph Loeb (“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” “Smallville,” “Heroes”).
“Marvel’s Daredevil” is produced by Marvel Television in association with ABC Studios for Netflix.
The Kingpin is a major player in the street-level battles that happen in the Marvel Universe, with his most notable foes being Daredevil, The Punisher and Spider-man in the comics. It is easy to imagine him being included in the upcoming Marvel’s Defenders team-up series for Netflix as well. He was first portrayed on film by the late Michael Clarke Duncan in the 2003 version of Daredevil.
While possessing no super powers to speak of, he is a mob boss extraordinaire. Able to conduct high-scale businesses mergers or take you out into the alley and break your legs himself, he is always up for the task. His intellect is only equaled by his Andre the Giant like girth. Fans of D’Onofrio know that he has the range to pull this off, judging by his performances as the heavy in movies such as, The Cell. He has the ability to go from a bubbling intensity, to a bizarre fury in the drop of a hat. It will be fun to see what type of characterization they choose to go with for Wilson Fisk.
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