After taking on Tony Soprano in The Many Saints of Newark, actor Michael Gandolfini will be making his mark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Deadline reports that Gandolfini has been tapped for a major role in Daredevil: Born Again, an upcoming series that's in the works at Disney+. It was previously confirmed that Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio will also be starring in the series, reprising their respective roles as Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk. Matt Corman and Chris Ord are writing and executive producing the series.
It's reportedly "possible" that Gandolfini is playing an "ambitious guy from Staten Island referred to as Liam," but details about his character in Daredevil: Born Again haven't been confirmed. This also marks the MCU debut for Gandolfini, who's still on the rise following his acclaimed performance as a young Tony Soprano in the Sopranos prequel The Many Saints of Newark; Gandolfini's late father, James Gandolfini, originally played Tony. Gandolfini previously appeared in other movies like Ocean's 8, Cherry, and The Independent, and he's also been cast in Ari Aster's upcoming movie Disappointment Blvd.
On the small screen, Gandolfini also recently appeared in the Paramount+ series The Offer, which details the making of The Godfather. That followed a recurring role in HBO's The Deuce. The actor is also attached to the upcoming Apple TV+ series Extrapolations alongside Meryl Streep, Kit Harington, Daveed Diggs, and David Schwimmer. Just happy to be working, Gandolfini has made it clear that he has no fear at all about getting typecast in gangster roles.
"I just love my job. So whenever I get to do it, I'm happy to do it," Gandolfini told TooFab. "I mean I think that casting directors are really talented at what they do and whatever I fit in. I'm obviously physically and emotionally very different than my dad so wherever I fit man. I'm happy to be a part of anything."
Daredevil: Born Again Reboots Daredevil in the MCU
The new Daredevil series brings back at least two stars from the original Daredevil series that previously streamed at Netflix. It remains unclear if it will bring back other stars from that show, as the "Born Again" part of the title suggests a new beginning for Daredevil. But Cox has said that he hopes to see other familiar faces joining him for the new show, though as of now, Gandolfini is the only other name besides Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio that's been reportedly cast.
“It was an absolute delight to work with everyone on all of those shows at Netflix," Cox recently told Deadline. "They were the beating heart of all of those shows. I would be honored and thrilled to work with any of them again."
Admitting that even he's still unsure if the new series will be an actual continuation of the previous Daredevil, Cox added, "There are so many great stories to tell. There are stories to tell again. That wouldn’t be inconsistent with what they do in the comic book universe. Often a new writer and artist will take over a book and they will start from beginning. So maybe we’ll be doing that, but I genuinely don’t know. I’m just thrilled that I’ve been invited to the party.”
Daredevil: Born Again will be coming to Disney+ in Spring 2024.