Spider-Man & Daredevil Connection (March 2026)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is about to witness one of its most exciting connections yet as Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 prepare to intertwine their stories in ways fans have been dreaming about for years. As someone who’s followed both characters since their comic book days, I can tell you this crossover is long overdue and absolutely game-changing for the MCU’s street-level narrative.
The Connection Confirmed: What We Know in 2026?
In a groundbreaking revelation at New York Comic Con 2025, Marvel TV Head Brad Winderbaum confirmed what fans have been speculating about for months: Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 are deeply connected. During an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly, Winderbaum stated:
“We are communicating a lot with the team on Spider-Man: Brand New Day to make sure that there’s coherence there. We don’t want to spoil anything, but it very much exists in the same world and it is important.”
This confirmation isn’t just casual universe-building—it’s a deliberate effort to ensure that both projects, despite their different tones and release platforms, exist in meaningful continuity with each other. The implications for both characters and the broader MCU are enormous.
Key Connection Points at a Glance (March 2026)
| Aspect | Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | July 31, 2026 | March 2026 |
| Platform | Theatrical (Sony) | Disney+ |
| Director | Destin Daniel Cretton | Multiple directors |
| Main Antagonist | Scorpion, Tombstone | Kingpin (Wilson Fisk) |
| Key Supporting Characters | Hulk, Punisher, MJ, Ned | Jessica Jones, Punisher |
| Tone | Lighter, more Spider-Man-esque | Darker, street-level noir |
| Filming Status | Recently resumed after Holland’s concussion | Wrapped filming |
The Road to Connection: No Way Home and Beyond
The foundation for this epic crossover was actually laid back in Spider-Man: No Way Home, when Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) made his official MCU debut by helping Peter Parker (Tom Holland) navigate legal troubles after his identity was exposed. That brief but memorable scene—where Murdock catches a flying brick and casually explains he’s “just a really good lawyer”—was the first step in bringing these two New York heroes together in the main MCU timeline.
What made this cameo so significant was that it officially integrated the Netflix Marvel characters into the primary MCU continuity. While fans had seen Charlie Cox as Daredevil for three seasons on Netflix, his appearance in No Way Home made it clear that the street-level heroes of New York were part of the larger Marvel universe.
Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 – Setting the Stage
To understand how these projects connect, we need to look at what happened in Daredevil: Born Again Season 1, which premiered on Disney+ in March 2025. The season delivered one of the most dramatic status quo changes in MCU history:
Major Season 1 Developments:
- Wilson Fisk becomes Mayor of New York: In a shocking political move, Kingpin wins the mayoral election and begins consolidating power
- Anti-Vigilante Laws: Fisk passes legislation effectively outlawing superhero activity in New York City
- Martial Law Declaration: By the season finale, Fisk has declared martial law and established a secret prison for anyone who opposes him
- Matt Murdock as Resistance Leader: The season ends with Matt assembling a team of allies to fight back against Fisk’s regime
- Punisher’s Return: Jon Bernthal returns as Frank Castle, who ultimately gets captured but sets up his escape for future storylines
The season finale essentially transformed New York City into a police state under Fisk’s control, creating the perfect backdrop for Spider-Man’s next chapter. As Winderbaum explained, the tone differences are intentional but meaningful:
“We’re in a shared universe together, but I would say just the Daredevil comic books, the Punisher comic books depicted a certain tone and an idea of New York in a different way than Spider-Man’s, but they both exist in the same universe. It’s similar. Everything lines up and the impacts are felt, but we’re able to tell different stories.”
Spider-Man: Brand New Day – The Street-Level Hero
Spider-Man: Brand New Day, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), picks up after the events of No Way Home, where Peter Parker’s identity was wiped from everyone’s memory—including his closest friends MJ (Zendaya) and Ned (Jacob Batalon). This “memory wipe” created a fascinating new status quo for Peter, who must now navigate his life as Spider-Man while essentially being a stranger to everyone he cares about.
What We Know About Brand New Day:
- Release Date: July 31, 2026
- Confirmed Cast: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), Jon Bernthal (Punisher), Michael Mando (Scorpion), Sadie Sink (undisclosed role)
- Villains: Mac Gargan/Scorpion and Lonnie Lincoln/Tombstone are confirmed
- Setting: Primarily New York City, with international filming locations
- Tone: Expected to be more street-level than previous Spider-Man MCU films
The inclusion of Jon Bernthal’s Punisher is particularly significant, as it creates a direct character bridge between the two projects. Frank Castle’s appearance in both suggests that the events of Born Again Season 2 will directly impact Spider-Man’s story.
The Coherence Factor: What “Connection” Really Means
When Brad Winderbaum talks about “coherence” between the projects, he’s referring to more than just shared universe continuity. The connection appears to be multifaceted:
1. Narrative Coherence
The events of Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 will directly influence the world Spider-Man inhabits. With Fisk as mayor and anti-vigilante laws in place, Peter Parker will face new challenges as Spider-Man. As a street-level hero operating in the same city where Daredevil is fighting a resistance movement, Spider-Man can’t help but be affected by these larger political changes.
2. Character Coherence
Both characters exist in the same New York City and face similar challenges from the same antagonists. Wilson Fisk is as much Spider-Man’s enemy as he is Daredevil’s. The shared struggle against a common threat creates natural opportunities for these heroes to cross paths, even if they don’t necessarily team up immediately.
3. Thematic Coherence
Both projects explore themes of power, corruption, and the responsibility of heroes in a world that has turned against them. Matt Murdock’s legal battle against Fisk’s regime mirrors Peter Parker’s struggle to protect New York while operating outside the law.
The Sony Factor: Complicating the Connection
One of the most interesting aspects of this connection is the complicated relationship between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures. Sony owns the film rights to Spider-Man, which means Marvel can’t simply include the character in any project they desire. Every live-action appearance requires Sony’s approval.
This legal reality has already impacted potential crossovers—Spider-Man was rumored to appear in Deadpool & Wolverine but Sony allegedly denied permission due to the film’s mature rating. The same concerns could affect whether Spider-Man actually appears in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2.
However, the “coherence” that Winderbaum mentions suggests that even if Spider-Man doesn’t physically appear in the Disney+ series, the events of Born Again will directly set up and influence the story of Brand New Day. The connection might be more about shared world-building than direct character interaction.
Potential Crossover Scenarios
Based on all the information available, here are the most likely scenarios for how these projects connect:
Scenario 1: Indirect Connection (Most Likely)
Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 establishes Fisk’s control over New York City, creating the political and social environment that Spider-Man must navigate in Brand New Day. The heroes don’t necessarily meet, but their stories are thematically and narratively linked through shared antagonists and world events.
Scenario 2: Direct Connection (Possible)
Spider-Man makes a cameo appearance in Born Again Season 2, or Daredevil appears in Brand New Day. This would require Sony’s approval but would deliver the fan-service moment everyone wants.
Scenario 3: Team-Up (Less Likely)
The two heroes actually team up to fight a common threat. This could happen in either project but would be more likely in the theatrical film given the budget and scale.
Scenario 4: Post-Credits Setup (Very Possible)
Born Again Season 2 ends with a post-credits scene that directly sets up Brand New Day, perhaps showing Spider-Man witnessing the events of the season finale or being directly affected by Fisk’s new laws.
The Comic Book Precedent (2026)
Longtime Marvel fans know that Spider-Man and Daredevil have a rich history of teaming up in the comics. Their relationship is one of the most enduring in Marvel lore, characterized by:
- Mutual Respect: Both heroes recognize each other’s dedication to protecting New York
- Different Approaches: Daredevil’s dark, gritty style contrasts with Spider-Man’s more lighthearted personality
- Shared Villains: Kingpin, Bullseye, and others have plagued both heroes
- Legal Connection: Matt Murdock has often served as Peter Parker’s lawyer
The most famous Spider-Man/Daredevil storylines include:
- “The Death of Jean DeWolff” (a classic Daredevil story where Spider-Man plays a crucial role)
- “Guardian Devil” (Daredevil’s first solo story after his reboot, with Spider-Man appearances)
- “The Gang War” (multiple storylines where both heroes team up against organized crime)
The MCU seems to be drawing inspiration from these classic stories, particularly the idea of both heroes fighting against Kingpin’s criminal empire while dealing with the legal consequences of vigilantism.
Production Timeline and Release Strategy
The release strategy for these connected projects is particularly interesting:
- Daredevil: Born Again Season 2: March 2026 (Disney+)
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day: July 31, 2026 (Theaters)
This five-month gap suggests that Born Again Season 2 will set up the world and conflicts that Spider-Man will then have to deal with in his film. As the Gizmodo article suggested, fans might want to watch Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 before seeing Spider-Man: Brand New Day to fully understand the context.
The production timelines also overlap significantly:
- Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 wrapped filming in Summer 2025
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day began production in Glasgow and recently resumed after Tom Holland suffered a concussion on set
This overlapping production schedule allowed the creative teams to coordinate and ensure the “coherence” that Winderbaum mentioned.
The Bigger Picture: MCU’s Street-Level Universe
This connection between Spider-Man and Daredevil signals Marvel’s commitment to building a cohesive street-level universe within the MCU. For years, fans have wondered how the Netflix Marvel characters would integrate with the main MCU timeline, and now we’re seeing that integration in full force.
The street-level MCU is expanding rapidly:
- Daredevil: Born Again (establishing the street-level heroes in the MCU)
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day (bringing the biggest street-level hero into the mix)
- Punisher Special (Jon Bernthal’s standalone project)
- Potential Jessica Jones and Luke Cage appearances (already rumored for Born Again Season 2)
This creates a rich tapestry of interconnected stories that can exist independently but also influence each other—much like the comics that inspired them.
What This Means for Fans?
For fans of both characters, this connection is incredibly exciting. Here’s what it means:
For Daredevil Fans:
- The character is now firmly established in the main MCU continuity
- His stories will have broader implications beyond just his own series
- There’s potential for interaction with Marvel’s most popular character
For Spider-Man Fans:
- Peter Parker’s story is becoming more grounded and street-level
- The character will face more complex, adult challenges
- There’s potential for interaction with one of Marvel’s most respected heroes
For MCU Fans:
- The universe is becoming more interconnected and cohesive
- Street-level stories are getting the same respect as cosmic adventures
- There’s potential for a “Street-Level Avengers” team-up in the future
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Spider-Man actually appear in Daredevil: Born Again Season 2?
While it’s possible, the Sony factor makes it complicated. Marvel would need Sony’s permission for any live-action Spider-Man appearance in the Disney+ series. However, even if he doesn’t appear physically, his presence will be felt through the interconnected story.
How does this connect to the Netflix Daredevil series?
Daredevil: Born Again continues the story from the Netflix series, with Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio reprising their roles. The events of the Netflix series are considered MCU canon, and Born Again picks up years later with those same characters.
What role does Kingpin play in both projects?
Wilson Fisk/Kingpin is the primary antagonist in Daredevil: Born Again, having become Mayor of New York and outlawed vigilantism. In Spider-Man: Brand New Day, he serves as the overarching political threat, while Spider-Man faces more immediate physical threats from villains like Scorpion and Tombstone.
When should I watch these projects?
Based on the release schedule and narrative connections, you’ll want to watch Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 (March 2026) before Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31, 2026) to get the full context and understand how the stories connect.
Is this setting up a future Spider-Man/Daredevil team-up movie?
While nothing has been officially announced, the groundwork is certainly being laid. The connection between these projects, combined with the characters’ rich comic book history, makes a future team-up increasingly likely.
Final Thoughts
As someone who has been following both Spider-Man and Daredevil for decades, I can tell you that this connection between Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 represents exactly what makes the MCU special. It’s the careful planning, the respect for source material, and the understanding that these characters exist in the same world that makes Marvel’s shared universe so compelling.
The fact that Marvel is taking the time to ensure “coherence” between a Sony theatrical film and a Disney+ series shows their commitment to quality storytelling, regardless of platform or corporate structure. Whether we see these heroes team up on screen or not, the knowledge that their stories are connected—that they’re fighting the same battles in the same city—adds incredible depth to both characters and the MCU as a whole.
As we approach 2026, I’ll be keeping a close eye on both projects, and I recommend you do the same. The street-level MCU is about to get a whole lot more interesting, and Spider-Man and Daredevil are leading the charge.
For more Marvel content, check out our Marvel Rivals guides, best superhero shows on Netflix, and Daredevil’s arrival in Marvel Rivals. Don’t forget to bookmark this page for updates as we get closer to the 2026 releases!
