Will Charlie Cox's Daredevil appear in the new Spider-Man film? The Punisher's cameo fuels rumors, but Cox himself addresses the speculation.
- April 20, 2026
AceShowbiz - Spider-Man: Brand New Day fans have been buzzing with speculation that Charlie Cox might reprise his role as Daredevil in the upcoming MCU film. The rumors gained traction after the appearance of the Punisher (Jon Bernthal) in early trailers, as Daredevil and Punisher often share storylines in the comics and television. This connection sparked hopes that Cox would also show up alongside Spider-Man in this new MCU installment.
Adding fuel to the fire, statements from the showrunner of Daredevil: Born Again clarified that while most MCU characters won’t appear in the series, characters from the show could still feature in MCU movies when relevant. This was used to explain the Punisher’s inclusion in the first trailers. However, despite the growing fan theories, Charlie Cox has now addressed these rumors directly, making it clear that they remain speculative.
During an appearance at the 2026 BAFTA Games Awards, Cox was asked about his alleged involvement in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. His response was straightforward: "I'm not in it. Don't ask. I'm not in it," he said emphatically. "I don't know what you're talking about, but I'm not there. Unless they put me in after the fact using computer-generated images, I'm not there. I promise. I'm sorry."
This rejection came after fans speculated that a scene in the trailer, where Spider-Man leaps toward the Hand, might have included other heroes that were edited out, similar to how Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire were removed from the Spider-Man: No Way Home trailer. Some believed Hulk and Daredevil were among those cut, but Cox's comments put these rumors to rest.
Despite his denial, the interviewer noted the disappointment this news brought to fans, to which Cox replied, "Yeah, mine too." He has previously expressed a desire to be part of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but it ultimately did not happen. There are compelling reasons why Daredevil’s presence would make sense in the film. The Hand, a notorious Daredevil adversary, returns in the movie, and with Elektra’s fate still uncertain, this could offer an emotional connection for Matt Murdock’s character.
Another potential storyline involves Peter Parker possibly needing legal assistance, which would be a natural fit for Matt Murdock, a skilled attorney in the comics. This angle could be explored in future Spider-Man films, especially if a new trilogy begins. The existing relationship between Peter and Matt, coupled with the Hand’s return and Punisher’s appearance, provides a strong narrative foundation for Daredevil’s inclusion at some point.
It’s also worth noting that the Punisher’s origins are closely tied to Spider-Man comics. He was originally introduced as a character manipulated by the villain Jackal in Spider-Man storylines, and his battles often involved other Spider-Man foes. For example, the Tarantula, featured in the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer, was part of a classic Spider-Man comic cover that also included the Punisher. This connection helps explain Punisher’s appearance without necessarily involving Daredevil.
Additionally, the presence of the Hand in the movie might serve as a device to introduce Jean Grey to the MCU. Including mentions of Elektra or Daredevil could complicate the plot unnecessarily, which is something Marvel Studios typically avoids for theatrical releases. The MCU aims to simplify storylines to recapture audiences lost during the last phase and to successfully launch the X-Men characters into this shared universe.
Daredevil: Born Again already has a rich storyline to explore, which may delay any crossover with the Spider-Man franchise. For now, Charlie Cox remains focused on his role in the Disney+ series rather than branching into the MCU films immediately.
With the Hand’s return, Punisher’s appearance, and potential new trilogies on the horizon, there remains a strong possibility that Daredevil could enter the MCU film universe at a later date. But fans should temper expectations for Spider-Man: Brand New Day itself, as confirmed by Cox.
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