Fox Hires Screenwriter For Daredevil

There is finally an update on the progress of 20th Century Fox's Daredevil reboot. HeatVision reports the studio has hired Brad Caleb Kane (Fringe) to write the film based on the iconic Born Again storyline from Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli. Kane is best known for his impressive script for Brooklyn's Finest which was one of my favorite crime thrillers of that year. His involvement does give the impression the studio is indeed going for a faithful and dark adaptation. Fox is likely to move quickly on the relaunch to prevent the rights reverting back to Marvel/Disney. David Slade (Hard Candy, 30 Days Of Night) is attached to direct without a release date or cast set for the film.

RUMOR: Xavier Samuel In The Running For Daredevil?

There hasn't been much updates concerning 20th Century Fox's Daredevil reboot. We know that David Slade (Hard Candy, 30 Days Of Night) is currently attached to direct with Kyle Killen (The Beaver) writing the script. Also that the film would be based on Frank Miller's Born Again storyline.

There is some speculation that Twilight alum Xavier Samuel could be a candidate for Matt Murdock. Slade recently tweeted an image of the Australian actor donning shades when defending not using 3D. Previously there had been rumors of Bradley Cooper, Robert Pattinson and Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy, Troy). While I think Hedlund is a solid choice an up and comer could be what the reboot needs.

Bradley Cooper Rumored Frontrunner For Daredevil, Garrett Hedlund Also Interested

This sounds more promising than the previous rumor that Robert Pattinson would take up the red jumpsuit in the Daredevil reboot. Two seperate new rumors suggest that Bradley Cooper (Hangover, Limitless) is the frontrunner and Garrett Hedlund (Troy, Tron Legacy) is also in the mix for the lead.

Garrett had been in the running for Captain America but dropped out early to commit to Tron Legacy and it's sequel. As the Captain America role we be a commitment to six films not leaving much room for Tron 3. Cooper also tested for a superhero role when he was almost locked in as Green Lantern until Ryan Reynolds swooped in and took the role. Bradley is becoming a bigger name but has yet to jump in role of an action lead. Besides his supporting role in the underwhelming A-Team which was a 20th Century Fox film. He's been linked for The Flash but seems like he had a bad experience testing for Green Lantern and won't be doing any DC films anytime soon. A Marvel film might suit Bradley better as I thought he'd make an excellent Hawkeye before Jeremy Renner landed the role. I'd be happy with either of them yet it's still in early stages of development so these won't be the only names attached to the reboot.

Daredevil Reboot Rumor Round-Up

With the announcement of 20th Century Fox hiring David Slade to direct and David Callaham (Expendables) using Frank Miller's Born Again storyline I figured I'd run down some current and previous rumors about the Daredevil reboot.

EW reports that the lead actors from the first film will not be returning that includes Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner and Colin Farrell. I would expect everyone from the first film will be scrapped and recast. While the film has been mentioned as sequel this one more reason to believe this will be more of a reboot.

Michael Clark Duncan had been vocal of reprising the role of Kingpin who is likely to be in the new film. I'm not sure how Duncan would fit into the reboot if they're recasting the leads it's possible they'd hire a new Kingpin too. While he physically met the requirements for Kingpin he didn't seem menacing enough for the role. It might be just me but Duncan seems more of a sweetheart than a villain.



Jason Statham stated to the LATimes he wanted the role of the Daredevil saying ""Forget Bullseye, I want to be Daredevil!...Absolutely, just give me the chance, I would love to be Daredevil"and Frank Miller gave his blessing "I think he should be Daredevil too!".

Statham should get the role as he's a stable for action films and wouldn't overshadow the character as most big name actors would. He's got a solid international appeal from his Transporter franchise and enough geek crediblity with films like Crank 1-2, Snatch, Lock Stock and Expendables. David Callaham who is working on the reboot's script also wrote Expendables which starred Statham. 

A ridiculous rumor surfaced yesterday that linked Robert Patterson to the role. First he's way too young and is also just going to anger loyal fans. I'm sure there is link since David Slade directed a Twilight film but I'd expect that Fox would understand that Daredevil fans wouldn't be happy with this choice. I'm all for a different take but they need someone more established and well liked for the role.


Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica) had been linked to the role of Typhoid Mary a love interest and villain of Daredevil. I think it would be excellent to see a faithful version of Mary but she wasn't in Born Again unless they work her into the story somehow. Sackhoff is interesting enough and would be a more convincing female action heroine than Jennifer Garner ever was.





The villains that did appear in Born Again were The Kingpin and Nuke. Yet Nuke was involved in the super soldier program so he might be excluded. Director Mark Steven Johnson had mentioned The Owl and Mr. Fear as possible villains for a sequel but it's unlikely they'll be used in this film as he was replaced.

Fox Using Frank Miller's Born Again For Daredevil Reboot

HeatVision has updated their previous story that David Slade has been brought on to direct/adapt the Daredevil reboot. 20th Century Fox will be using the Frank Miller written Born Again saga for the film. Similar to the use of Miller's Wolverine Japanese saga which is being used for Darren Aronofsky's The Wolverine. It's a great starting point as Miller was one of the best Daredevil writers and his source material could help bring a successful reboot and potential franchise.

The original film was a total mess from the terrible acting, directing, costumes and script it never had a chance. Hopefully Fox has learned their lessons and are willing to put more time/creativity into these reboots. Hiring Slade and using source material from Frank Miller are two reasons this new film could work. Born Again featured the Kingpin discovering Daredevil's identity and slowly destroying his life.

David Slade To Direct Daredevil Reboot

HeatVision reports that 20th Century Fox has hired David Slade (Hard Candy, 30 Days of Night) to direct and develop the Daredevil reboot. Slade had been in talks with Fox to helm both Wolverine 2 and X-Men First Class so it was expected he would eventually land a project with the studio. It's likely that since the reboot is still in development stages The Last Voyage of The Demeter will be Slade's next film.

Recently both Matt Damon and Guy Pearce revealed they had turned down the role lead role in the original Daredevil film which starred Ben Affleck. Jason Statham has the blessing of Daredevil writer Frank Miller for the reboot and I'm sure Statham will be in talks soon. I'd like to see the studio to take this film in more of a Punisher/Ghost Rider: The Spirit of Vengeance path. Since Daredevil is a costumed vigilante who takes on the mob it would make sense to feature more gritty violence than the last film. I just hope that the studio goes back to the Frank Miller material for inspiration. As Darren Aronofsky's The Wolverine also is taking cues from Miller's storylines.

RUMOR: Fox Developing Their Own Marvel Film Universe?

There is talk circling Twitter today (via Poni_Boy from CBM) that 20th Century Fox is considering their own Marvel film universe. This could mean that in future films we could see the X-Men/X-Force/Deadpool interacting with Daredevil, Elektra, Silver Surfer or the Fantastic Four. It would make sense since they are somewhat rebooting the X-Men franchise with First Class. There are also planned reboots of both Daredevil and Fantastic Four. Even Deadpool will get a complete character reboot in the upcoming spin-off. I'd like to think somehow Bryan Singer could be involved in creative/consulting/producing role with these projects to tie them together. The studio is flush with money from Avatar and could take a shot similar to what both Marvel Studios and possibly DC Entertainment are attempting with their own superhero universes.