The Kingpin Of Crime, Vincent D’Onofrio recently explained his nuanced understanding of MCU canon, further solidifying the actor’s position as a reliable authority on the matter.
Kingpin is central to the Marvel Cinematic Universe on and off screen as a unifying figure. In-universe, Kingpin is perhaps the deadliest street-level threat, serving as a supervillain to Daredevil, The Punisher and Hawkeye. In our world, Following Edwin Jarvis, he was the first notable Marvel TV character to appear in a Marvel Studios production.
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Since the dawn of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios and Marvel Television have existed under the Disney umbrella. Marvel executives Kevin Feige and Ike Perlmutter notoriously clashed, leading to behind-the-scenes divisions of Marvel TV and Marvel movies. They still existed in the same universe, and referenced one another in passing, but big crossovers like the Agents Of Shield and Captain America one weren’t happening anymore.
The Kingpin, Jarvis, Matt Murdock, Coulson & More
The lack of complete cooperation led to some messy continuity in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The writers of Agents Of Shield were not looped in on what happened after Avengers: Infinity War, which is why the Decimation of Thanos isn’t referenced in the MCU TV series. Helstrom was effectively decanonized, and prominent double castings like Mahershala Ali’s MCU roles as Blade and Cottonmouth occurred. Eventually, Marvel TV and Marvel Studios were merged into one entity, and Kevin Feige was handed all of the keys to the kingdom.
All of this messiness led some fans and reporters to believe that the Marvel Cinematic Universe TV series created before the merger were not canon. James Gunn furthered this belief when he took to twitter alleging that WandaVision was the first MCU TV series. Marvel Studios’ silence on the matter and the lack of much proof of canonicity in Marvel Studios productions made it look like the writing was on the wall for these old shows. Even diehard MCU TV fans began to fear that maybe their beloved shows weren’t relevant to the MCU after all.
The Kingpin Returned In Hawkeye After The Cancellation Of Daredevil
In December of 2021, everything changed with the release of Hawkeye and Daredevil. With Kingpin and Matt Murdock now appearing in Marvel Studios projects, seemingly as the same Marvel Netflix characters fans had grown so attached to, the proof was in the pudding. Onscreen evidence in both old Marvel TV shows and new Marvel Studios releases strongly suggested that Daredevil, Defenders, and the old guard were not only canon, they were relevant to Phase 4 of the MCU.
This still wasn’t enough for some. As a matter of principle, it’s important to realize that nothing is official until it’s official. Nothing is more official than what you see onscreen, and what comes from official Marvel Studios press releases, interviews and statements. After all, hadn’t James Gunn led us to believe that Daredevil didn’t matter to the MCU earlier this year?
The Kingpin Contradicts The Claims Of Director James Gunn
Marvel Studios is a company that holds secrecy in the highest regard. They strive to keep secrets safe at all costs. When those secrets get out, or lies are discovered after the fact, there is always a reason for it. While the public did find out about the return of Daredevil and Kingpin well before they actually returned, Marvel never officially confirmed their return before it happened. Kingpin’s return meant confirmation that the old TV shows were still relevant, and Marvel likely wanted to preserve that surprise until the day of release.
Now that the day has come and gone, Marvel cast and crew are open to speak about the old shows and how they tie to the new MCU. Perhaps the most vocal Marvel Studios employee to speak about the canon of Daredevil is Vincent D’Onofrio, who has confirmed the series’ place in the MCU multiple times since the Hawkeye finale.
One fan expressed a popular sentiment, that the words of actor Vincent D’Onofrio changed nothing about the MCU situation and did not confirm that Daredevil was canon.
The Kingpin Gives A Lesson On MCU Canon
“The man [Vincent D’Onofrio] flat-out confirm it’s the same character, confirming Marvel TV as canon, & STILL, people try to argue otherwise…”
“Simply because he says so doesn’t mean it’s the case”
Taking things a step further, the Kingpin actor educated these fans on the reality of Marvel canon.
“Here’s the deal: Some dots which connect the now canon with the past can be connected and some can not. Fisk’s emotional life definitely can. My relationship with the past character can. Long as I can continue to make the character interesting. I believe the fans are happy.”
-Vincent D’Onofrio
The fans are very, very happy Mr. Fisk. The question of canonicity was up in the air for a long time, and now, it seems as though that issue has been put to rest. If Marvel Studios does not release a statement contradicting their actor’s comments, or releases a project that obviously contradicts the canon onscreen, the reality is that all of the MCU TV shows are part of the MCU, old & new.
The canon may not be perfect, and logical inconsistencies may plague certain projects. But at the end of the day, this is a 13+ year old mega-franchise, and mistakes happen. I for one am happy to have the Marvel Cinematic Universe whole again.
What do you think about Kingpin’s comments? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or on our social media!
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