Steven S. DeKnight Talks In Detail About Violent And Gritty DAREDEVIL; Teases Season Two Plans

Steven S. DeKnight Talks In Detail About Violent And Gritty DAREDEVIL; Teases Season Two Plans

Daredevil showrunner Steven S. DeKnight discusses his take on the Man Without Fear ("He’s literally one bad day away from becoming the The Punisher"), praises the cinematographer, reveals Netflix's role in developing the series, teases plans for season two if it should happen, and much more!

By JoshWilding - Sep 12, 2014 01:09 PM EST
Filed Under: Daredevil
Source: Paste Magazine

In a lengthy interview with Paste Magazine, Daredevil and former Spartacus showrunner Steven S. DeKnight talks in length about bringing the Man Without Fear to Netflix in early 2015. There have been hints recently that the series will be a lot darker and violent than Marvel and ABC's other TV shows (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and likely the upcoming Agent Carter), and DeKnight was quick to reiterate this when asked what fans should expect from this take on the character. "With this version of Daredevil, we wanted it to be grounded, gritty, as realistic as we could portray. That naturally fits in with the Daredevil character. Matt Murdock, on a regular basis, would get the shit beat out of him. That’s one thing that makes him a great character. He’s not super strong. He’s not invulnerable. In every aspect, he’s a man that’s just pushed himself to the limits, he just has senses that are better than a normal humans. He is human. The other thing that really drew me to this character is that he’s one of the most morally grey of the heroes."

It's an interesting point, and one which DeKnight was quick to back up by looking back on Frank Miller's classic run, perhaps another hint that the series will be much closer to that in tone than Mark Waid's Eisner Award winning take. 
"He’s a lawyer by day, and he’s taken this oath," the showrunner said of Matt Murdock in the series. "But every night he breaks that oath, and goes out and does very violent things. The image that always stuck in my mind was the Frank Miller Elektra run where he’s holding Bullseye over the street, and he lets Bullseye go because he doesn’t want Bullseye to ever kill anyone again. When I read that originally, when I was young, I’d never seen anything like that in comics. Superman scoops up the villain and puts them in jail. This time the hero didn’t do that. It was a morally grey ground that I found absolutely fascinating. There are two sides to this character. He’s literally one bad day away from becoming the The Punisher! Frank Castle went just a little bit further than he did. Daredevil has no qualms about beating the hell out of somebody. He’s not going to tie them up with his webs! He’ll come close to killing somebody. And it’s that fine edge—Why doesn’t he go all the way? I really liked the flawed heroes, the human heroes."

Talk then moved to some of the other aspects of the series, including his role as showrunner and how much he interacts with members of the crew. "Usually I’ll talk to the director if I think something is a little bit hinky," he revealed. "On Daredevil we have a phenomenal cinematographer, Matt Lloyd. He was just nominated for an Emmy for Fargo. His work is just gorgeous, so usually I have nothing to say but, "That looks fantastic!'" Those of you who watched that superb 10-part series starring Sherlock's Martin Freeman will know just how great it looked, and Lloyd being part of Daredevil is just another reason to be excited for this new take on the character. 

Of course, the fact that the series will be shown on Netflix means that there are things it can do which wouldn't be possible on a network like ABC. So, how has their involvement ultimately changed the direction of Daredevil? "Netflix has been fantastic. They are phenomenally supportive of the creatives. How much freedom will I have? This is a bit of a different scenario because it’s a Marvel property. Once you have an IP like that, there are restrictions that you have to accept. I’m fine with that, I totally understand. I’ll push it as far as I can, of course, but I also respect the fact that this character has been around for decades. Overall I’ve been surprised at how willing everyone is to take a really fresh look and really push what we’re doing."

"I honestly have no idea," DeKnight added when talk turned to where the series could go in future. "That’s so far above my pay grade. Making it even more complicated is the fact that [Daredevil] is one part of the bigger plan— Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and then The Defenders. How that all fits together, and whether or not there will be a second season of this show—or if it will fold into the others—are question nobody really has answers to yet." However, while a second season may be far from confirmed as of right now, the showrunner did reveal that they have at least been talking about where things could go after the first run of episodes. "I can say we’ve been talking about some very cool stuff for Season Two that, good God, I can’t even hint at! It’s something that would be just fantastic to work on!" What do you guys think? 
An Interesting New DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN Rumor Reveals Matt And The Kingpin's Surprising New Dynamic
Related:

An Interesting New DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN Rumor Reveals Matt And The Kingpin's Surprising New Dynamic

MCU Street-Level Rumor Roundup: DEFENDERS Reunion, The Punisher's Future, And Next Daredevil Team-Ups
Recommended For You:

MCU Street-Level Rumor Roundup: DEFENDERS Reunion, The Punisher's Future, And Next Daredevil Team-Ups

DISCLAIMER: ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and... [MORE]

ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

1 2 3 4
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 9/12/2014, 1:19 PM
Thanks @yossarian. :)
DeusExSponge
DeusExSponge - 9/12/2014, 1:19 PM
Season two?! The end of season 1 better be satisfying!
MrFridayNights
MrFridayNights - 9/12/2014, 1:19 PM
I just hope Daredevil feels like a 10 hour movie
MrFridayNights
MrFridayNights - 9/12/2014, 1:20 PM
*12*
jCamer0n
jCamer0n - 9/12/2014, 1:21 PM
They promised a technological thriller in Ironman 3 and we got an action comedy.
They promised an action comedy in GOTG and we got a musical with lots of dancing and monkeying around.



Let see... if they will lie again..
LordMushu
LordMushu - 9/12/2014, 1:21 PM
Great find!!! Now show us the costume!
Kurban
Kurban - 9/12/2014, 1:22 PM
Can't [frick]in wait.
Kurban
Kurban - 9/12/2014, 1:23 PM
@jCamer0n
jCamer0n
jCamer0n - 9/12/2014, 1:26 PM
@kurban

Why do you need to post your baby pic?

Bekss
Bekss - 9/12/2014, 1:29 PM
"He’s literally one bad day away from becoming the The Punisher! Frank Castle went just a little bit further than he did. Daredevil has no qualms about beating the hell out of somebody. He’s not going to tie them up with his webs! He’ll come close to killing somebody. And it’s that fine edge—Why doesn’t he go all the way? I really liked the flawed heroes, the human heroes."

Can't wait for this show and the Punisher cameo (or at least a reference, please).
it has more potential than any other for being in Netflix
Prime
Prime - 9/12/2014, 1:29 PM
Sometimes Superman does kill the villains. Ask Zod, Brainiac or Doomsday lol. Anyway where is the costume?
SidDaAstroSloth
SidDaAstroSloth - 9/12/2014, 1:30 PM
I cam't wait for Season 2 of DareDevil!
Spideysense44
Spideysense44 - 9/12/2014, 1:31 PM
They better have a season two
Reasonnnn
Reasonnnn - 9/12/2014, 1:31 PM
@Jollem I like that gif.
MrCBM56
MrCBM56 - 9/12/2014, 1:32 PM
Bring.

It.
jCamer0n
jCamer0n - 9/12/2014, 1:32 PM
@RebelVulcan

Maybe your hex wasn't all that effective.
yossarian
yossarian - 9/12/2014, 1:34 PM
No sweat Josh.
superotherside
superotherside - 9/12/2014, 1:37 PM
jCamer0n

Meteor
Meteor - 9/12/2014, 1:38 PM
I like what I'm reading!
cipher
cipher - 9/12/2014, 1:38 PM
I think a Punisher appearance would be pretty cool.

I mean, I think the thing about ol' Frank that pisses off DD is the fact that although Matt thinks Frank's crossed the line.. so has DD a few times. Frank's kind of a reminder of the worst elements in all of us, and in himself.
Darlene1974
Darlene1974 - 9/12/2014, 1:39 PM
OMFG! Can't wait! Hope they'll have Elektra as his love interest and she's an anti-hero as well. The Punisher should guest stars, Black Widow (Johansson) should guest too (which I freakin doubt they'd wanna)...
I just hope it really is dark / violent / great storyline...
cipher
cipher - 9/12/2014, 1:39 PM
I'd prefer the Punisher to get his own series, though. Somethin' like the Ennis run, and I'm a happy man.
DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 9/12/2014, 1:41 PM
Beyond excited for this show, sounds awesome, and it sounds like they know what they are doing....

The first season of Fargo was really, really good, so Matt Lloyd is a great addition

Also, he mentioned the Punisher!! And, Marvel has the rights, [frick]ing awesome. Hoping for a cameo in the first season
cipher
cipher - 9/12/2014, 1:42 PM
Good job on diggin' that up, by the way, yoss.
FearTheLiving
FearTheLiving - 9/12/2014, 1:43 PM
Sounding good, can't wait to see the suit.
Spideysense44
Spideysense44 - 9/12/2014, 1:43 PM
That Bullseye scene better happen
ezio619
ezio619 - 9/12/2014, 1:44 PM
sounds great!!.cant wait.. i especially want to see Charlie Cox performance as Matt Murdock
cipher
cipher - 9/12/2014, 1:45 PM
F*ck me. Couldn't have missed that many calls. Man, is she gonna be pissed off.
yossarian
yossarian - 9/12/2014, 1:47 PM
@gusto - I am going to lick your dick.

I mean kick your dick.

That lick was a typo and I just decided not to delete it and just move forward. But then I didn't want you to get any false hopes about any dick licking. Strictly dick kicking around here.
SidDaAstroSloth
SidDaAstroSloth - 9/12/2014, 1:47 PM
I wamt Punisher to show up in DareDevil then get hisbown series.

base it on Garth Ennis's work with the character because that is his best characterization ever.
1 2 3 4
View Recorder