Marvel Comics has been whipping out blockbuster hit after hit at the box office. So far their television endeavors of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has done less than so.
That may be about to change. Marvel has joined DC on the television streaming site of Netflix, adding Daredevil to the online network’s superhero population which includes Flash & The Green Arrow.
A film version of the blind-as-a-bat character appeared in 2003 starring Ben Affleck as the lawyer turned vigilante. In a strange twist of super-hero irony, Affleck will be adopting the cape and cowl of Batman in DC ‘s up and coming Superman vs. Batman.
In the latest streaming version the viewer is treated with a truly imposing antagonist, The Kingpin.
The Kingpin is a sort of godfather character from the comic-books, a perfect foil for lawyer by day, superhero by night Matt Murdock. Murdock played by Charlie Cox.
The creators of Daredevil did their research when it came to casting The Kingpin, choosing Vincent D’Onofrio who is best known for his role as a detective on Law and Order: Criminal Intent (2001-2011). D’Onofrio has the gravitas needed for portraying the criminal behemoth based on the Sydney Greenstreet characters in both Casablanca (1942) & The Maltese Falcon (1941).
The Kingpin in the 2003 film was portrayed by the late Michael Duncan Clarke, who had the physical presence but whose acting chops pale in comparison those of D’Onofrio.
D’Onofrio fist caught the public eye playing the suicidal Private Lawrence in Full Metal Jacket (1987).
The entire first season of Daredevil will be released on April 10.
