Charlie Cox is showing some love to the past. The Daredevil: Born Again star recently defended the 2003 Daredevil film, led by Ben Affleck, offering a surprisingly warm take during his appearance on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast.

“There’s moments in there that are iconic and I love Ben Affleck,” Cox said, praising the actor while reflecting on the earlier version of Matt Murdock. His comments quickly went viral, especially as fans compared them to his more critical remarks from a few years ago.

Charlie Cox also acknowledged the film’s shortcomings, pointing to the era it was made in. He noted that filmmakers were still experimenting with visual effects, joking that they invented CGI and used it the next day, which impacted how the movie ultimately looked and felt.

At the same time, he suggested the film may have tried to do too much. According to Cox, the story attempted to squeeze the entire Daredevil anthology into just two hours, resulting in a crowded narrative with multiple villains and arcs competing for attention.

With Daredevil thriving again in the MCU, Cox’s comments come at a time when the character’s legacy is more relevant than ever.

Daredevil: Born Again continues its winning streak as Season 3 is confirmed

Daredevil: Born Again has emerged as one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s biggest TV successes. After being reintroduced into the MCU in 2025, Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock quickly reclaimed his place as a fan-favorite hero.

Season 2, which wrapped on May 5, 2026, raised the stakes significantly. It followed Murdock’s battle against Mayor Wilson Fisk’s growing power, as vigilantes were forced into hiding under the threat of an Anti-Vigilante Task Force.

Marvel has already confirmed a third season, with production underway and expected to wrap in July 2026, with the series premiering in March 2027. The show’s strong reception made the renewal an easy decision, signaling long-term plans for the character within the MCU.

Even more exciting for fans is the confirmed return of the Defenders. Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist are all set to reunite with Daredevil, setting the stage for a major crossover that could redefine Marvel’s street-level storytelling.

Charlie Cox’s latest comments highlight how perceptions of Affleck’s Daredevil have evolved over time. While the theatrical cut faced criticism, many fans now point to the director’s cut as a stronger, more cohesive version, perhaps explaining the actor’s more charitable view today.

What do you think, was Ben Affleck’s Daredevil truly “iconic,” or does Charlie Cox’s version still stand above the rest? Let us know in the comments!

Written by

Karishma Dasgupta

Edited by

Aliza Siddiqui