On February 14th, 2003, Ben Affleck debuted as the first big-screen version of the Man Without Fear in “Daredevil,” attempting to bring justice to the world of comic book movies on the heels of successes like “Blade,” “X-Men,” and “Spider-Man.” But the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen didn’t fare nearly as well as his Marvel peers. Upon the release of “Daredevil,” fans felt let down and critics were mixed, with even positive reviews saying the narrative was overcrowded, its CGI was painful, and the action scenes were sloppy.
In the years since, it seems like many have softened their stance (via FandomWire) on this film and its origin story of Matt Murdock, the blind lawyer turned superhero. With the subsequent release of a director’s cut, the wonky editing and rushed plot appear to be a result of studio meddling (according to Den of Geek), while a reassessment of the performances has many appreciating Affleck’s dedication to the role, Colin Ferrell’s antics as Bullseye, and how Michael Clarke Duncan’intimidating presence made him a great choice to play Kingpin. The soundtrack is also surprisingly good — people were likely just getting tired of hearing Evanescence in 2003.
Looking back on the film, it’s hard not to find “Daredevil” more interesting than it appeared upon its initial release. Here are some of the things that people might not know about the biggest outing Daredevil has had so far.
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Stephen Wilds 