Original “Daredevil” showrunner blasts 'old Disney scam' of renaming series 'to reset contract terms'
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They say the devil is in the details, but one former Marvel showrunner is calling out the studio's parent company over what he sees as "corporate shenanigans."
Steven DeKnight, who first brought the Man Without Fear to the small screen in Marvel and Netflix's popular Daredevil series, has blasted Disney for greenlighting a Disney+ show titled Daredevil: Born Again that will bring back many elements from its predecessor, including lead actors Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio.
"It's an old Disney scam where they slightly rename a series to reset contract terms back to first season," DeKnight wrote on social media Monday. "Needs to be addressed by all the guild/unions and crushed!"
Patrick Harbron/Netflix Charlie Cox on 'Daredevil'
In a follow-up post, DeKnight said, "From what I understand, I'm not going to see a penny from Daredevil: Born Again because they added the 'Born Again' and can claim it's a completely different show. You know, with the exact same two lead actors (who I love!) playing Daredevil and Fisk."
DeKnight added that he's still rooting for Born Again, even though he doesn't agree with the underlying business practices. "To be clear, I can't wait to see Charlie Cox and the amazing @vincentdonofrio reprise their iconic [roles]," he wrote. "But to claim this is a complete reboot and you don't have to pay the original creatives is some corporate shenanigans, to say the least."
Representatives for Disney didn't immediately respond to EW's request for comment Tuesday.
He does. It’s an old Disney scam where they slightly rename a series to reset contract terms back to first season. Needs to be addressed by all the guilds/unions and crushed! https://t.co/Ttj4A3tnE4
— Steven DeKnight (@stevendeknight) September 18, 2023
DeKnight's criticism came in response to a string of posts from a New York-based IATSE grip who said they'd worked all the Marvel-Netflix shows, including Daredevil. They said in part, "Do I have to post the thread again about how our @IATSE contracts base wages (raises) and conditions (vacation/holiday) pay on arbitrary 'seasons,' and that canceling shows before season three, rebooting shows, and all the nonsense is about undercutting workers."
The discussion also took place against the backdrop of Hollywood's simultaneous actors' and writers' strikes. Both SAG-AFTRA and the WGA have expressed concerns about issues including job security, fair pay, and the use of A.I. technology in TV and filmmaking.
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