How Marvel Studios could integrate Daredevil...

We know that Marvel Studios got the rights back for Daredevil...but didn't want them. They even tried to let Fox keep him in trade for Galactus - which was included in the FF deal along with Skrulls and God knows what else.

I think that bringing ol' Hornhead into the MMU is a fantastic idea.

Here's how:

First, we need to look at what's been happening in cinema recently, starting with reboots. It worked for Star Trek, but not for Superman Returns. As for Amazing Spider-Man, we'll consider it a split-decision.

We then need to look at the other trend in franchise rebuilding - the ret-con. In comics, this means introducing a new character or story by visiting (or re-visiting) a past event. It's how Marvel introduced Elektra, and it worked on screen with X-Men: First Class and the 2006 release of Casino Royale. They went back in time and told an updated version of an origin story without needing to connect the dots to pre-existing films.

Given the consistent success of the ret-con idea, let's go with that.

So now that we've got the premise - ret-conning DD's origin - let's think of how we can tell that story within the existing MMU (for those new to the party, that stands for Marvel Movie Universe...which is my name for what's being called the Marvel Cinematic Universe - or MCU - in Hollywood).

To do that, the Avengers, or S.H.I.E.L.D., or some combination of the two must be involved.

To sum up - we're looking for a story that re-tells DD's origin...
...that includes all the events of the MMU thus far...
...yet is totally separate and in no way related to the 2003 Daredevil film.

Let. Me. Think.

Frank Miller's classic story of how Kingpin learns Daredevil's secret identity...and uses that knowledge to destroy him.

It also features cameos of Thor, Iron Man and Cap - who has a great conversation with DD. They could even include S.H.I.E.L.D. by having them tell Cap who Daredevil really is...a fact never explained in the story.

So that's my thought, but let me add that this could set up bringing Punisher into the MMU by confronting DD...something that happened several times in the books.

Not only that, but it could also set up a Daredevil sequel - based on "Last Rites", the four part story running from Daredevil #'s 297 - 300 back in 1991. Nick Fury has a cameo, and DD settles the score with Kingpin for good.

In Marvel Studios I Trust

On a side note, considering the time of year and my crazy work schedule, I'll be limiting myself to one post/day until after the holidays. If I have a day off...and enough rest...I may do more, including my Coast City Comicon and Robin III reviews.