Characters from Netflix's Daredevil series are starting to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and this includes the long-awaited arrival of Kingpin. Played by Vincent D'Onofrio in the Netflix series, the actor reprised the role for Hawkeye, officially bringing Wilson Fisk into the MCU. What's next for the character at this point is unclear, but we'll likely see Kingpin again soon enough.

While the crossover with the Marvel shows on Netflix is officially happening, there has been some uncertainty about whether the two universes are truly connected. Daredevil star Charlie Cox has said that he plays a "reimagined" version of Matt Murdock in the MCU, suggesting that he's playing a variant in a way similar to J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson in Spider-Man: No Way Home. However, D'Onofrio tells TVLine that he saw his Hawkeye appearance as returning as the "same guy" he was on the Netflix show.

“I think the Blip has happened, and I think his Kingdom took a bit of a hit, and he’s trying to get his city back. That’s how I played him, and I think that was the general idea."

There are some notable differences in the Kingpin we met on Hawkeye compared to Daredevil's Wilson Fisk. This includes his newfound super strength, which D'Onofrio admits he doesn't have an explanation for. Even so, he stepped into this project with the belief that he's playing the same character he played before, even if it leaves some unanswered questions.

“Obviously, in the show, he’s physically stronger and can take more physical abuse. But emotionally, and as far as the history that was discussed about what’s been going on, was done with connecting as many dots from Daredevil to Hawkeye as possible. There are obviously things that we can’t connect — for instance, he’s stronger — but as far as how I played him and the history that I carry myself from and into Hawkeye, he is the same guy.”

As of now, the future of Kingpin in the MCU is unclear, but D'Onofrio hopes to continue on in the role. The actor goes on to explain that he's said goodbye to the character in the past, and perhaps he's done so again with his Hawkeye appearance, though he believes there's enough story potential to dive deeper into Kingpin in future projects.

“The thing about Wilson Fisk is that people are always suspect to what he’s actually thinking, and that’s what’s cool about it. There’s a way to play that character, where you just don’t know if he’s really feeling anything but his own narcissism, and so his heart may be in it. Maybe it is, maybe it’s not. There are many facets to the character that could be explored, so I only can hope that we continue. It's not the first time I’ve had to walk away from this character, but we’ll see.”

All episodes of Hawkeye, which includes the arrival of D'Onofrio's Kingpin in the MCU, are now streaming on Disney+. To go back and check out the character's history, you can binge all three seasons of Daredevil over on Netflix.