Netflix's Daredevil premieres April 10th, but in case you don't wanna wait 40 more days and don't mind knowing a little bit more about the upcoming Marvel show, then check out the interview Vincent D'Onofrio gave to Argentina's biggest film magazine "La Cosa" (which translates to "The Thing" in english...no, it has nothing to do with that other Thing).
The Kingpin does not appear in the series right away. Can you tell us who is Wilson Fisk?
The good thing about this show is that it doesn't give you all the characters right away. In the early episodes the context is created, the environment in which they will interact. Then, once they find the Kingpin for the first time, they will already know things about him and his attitude. Wilson is a very private person. He moves in the shadows, until something makes him come out to defend what he thinks is right. That's all I can say before someone comes get my head (laughs).
Do you find any parallels between Matt Murdock and The Kingpin?
The dynamic between the hero and the villain is great. Matt Murdock wants to change the city, wants to make it a better place. Wilson Fisk wants the same. But their backstories, what makes them who they are, are totally different. This creates a conflict of power in the show and the 13 episodes will revolve around that, defining what is right and wrong in the middle of this conflict.
Before Steven DeKnight, Drew Goddard was the one in charge of the series, and even appears in the credits as the creator. How developed was the story when he decided to leave?
Sorry, but I can't give you an answer to that. When I arrived, Steven was already in charge. I know nothing about what happened before.
I don't know if you can tell us a lot about the Daredevil spin-offs, and the connections with all the Marvel Cinematic Universe. To what extent would you like to take your character in this structure?
It's something we chatted and I know that everyone involved had a great time doing the series, and from what I understand the filming of Jessica Jones is going very well. So I would love to be involved in whatever I can, the more the better. I can not wait to see everything put together, so we can all enjoy it. I have to say that working with this company is very comfortable. It's a very creative environment, and as an artist that feels really good.
What differences did you find in the filming of Daredevil over other series that you worked on, like Law and Order?
It's completely different. Everyone is much more creative. From the showrunner to producers, writers and directors involved. There was a very different creative environment. I was inspired with every script I received, with every discussion I had about what to do with that. I have to be honest, the whole process had superior creativity when compared with other works. But to be fair, I must say that television underwent many changes. These shows like Law & Order or CSI are like the last of the dinosaurs, they will not exist again. It's a new world now, and I'm happy to have been part of that. But we have another picture in front and that's amazing.
How much research did you do for this character? Did you read any comics?
I think I grabbed everything that exists. With comics there's something odd, it's like a constant flood of information. Someone will always come to you with new material. But even if I had not researched this world, I would say that the combination of what Steven DeKnight, our showrunner, wrote and the art of Frank Miller is what helped me find the character.
The dream of everyone here at Marvel is doing a version of Daredevil that no one will see coming. Deliver this world in a new way, and Netflix had a lot to do that. What you will see is a 13 hour movie.
As we saw in the series, there's much of the spirit that Frank Miller gave Fisk in, say, Love & War, right?
Definitely. Of course, this version comes from another writer and another language, but there are many similarities. Especially in this aspect of vulnerability that Vanessa (Ayelet Zurer) awakens in Wilson. In the show, the relationship between Wilson and this woman will awaken many emotions in him, much more than what Miller showed in the graphic novel.
This aspect is what interested me the most about the character. Unlike the comics, here you can feel a real person. This woman appears in his life and creates a conflict. It's a love that he found, he never sought, and I will not reveal anymore, but it's something important this season.
Are you aware of the importance of the character in the comicbook culture? Do you get some pressure?
Yes, I know what it represents, but as an actor that happens all the time. Even when you're doing a play. You give a thousand shows and you get tired of always repeating the same thing. But when you listen to people entering the theater, you know that, for them, is the first time and you have to go out and tell the story. Is the same here. There are many fans waiting to see the new version, and I don't get nervous, quite the opposite. It makes me wanna go out, tell them the story and succeed, for them.
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Well, he certainly sounds excited about the show! What about you guys? Do you think D'Onofrio will do the Kingpin justice? And are you looking forward to Marvel's foray into a more dark and mature corner of the MCU?
Daredevil punches his way into Netflix on April 10th.
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