Charlie Cox was at Chicago’s Fan Expo 2024, and we were able to jump into a panel already in progress. I’ve never been to a convention where panels start to empty rooms as staff shuffle those who have been following the rules and waiting in lines are let into the theater only after the panel is in progress. While those people managing the lines at Fan Expo may be incompetent and often hostile to attendees, the guests and MCs were fantastic, asking Charlie Cox questions about his time portraying the Man With No Fear and his work on the series Kin.
Charlie Cox started out as Daredevil in the Netflix series about 9 years ago now. And he’s starting to feel his age, saying
“As I get older, it gets harder and recovery time is longer. I spend more time in ice baths than I did when I started (playing Daredevil)”
He’s also learned that doing your own stunts might sound cool, but it can cause a lot of trouble. Cox’s longtime stunt double Chris Brewster managed to get a perfect take on a fall through a breakaway table. Since there were two more tables left, Cox decided he also wanted a chance to take the fall.
“The first one went well, and we watched it back. It worked really well. So they had two more of these tables so they let me do one. I landed badly on the wrist. And it was fine, and I didn’t tell anybody. It wasn’t broken. And I was like ‘I’m going to be okay,’ but it was a really good example of like, if I had injured myself, that would have been so uncool. Because, you know, they had it, they had the shot. And if I get hurt, it would be a real problem with the production.”
The conversation shifted over to the Irish TV series Kin, where Charlie Cox plays Michael Kinsella. Cox was surprised that Season 2 hasn't made it over to the United States yet,
“I assume at some point they will bring it over. It’s been a very–it’s been a huge success in the UK and in part of Europe.”
When the MC asked Cox if he thought that Matt Murdock would defend Kin protagonist Michael Kinsella, Cox said,
“Oh wow. Well, he’d know he’s lying all the time, so I don’t know, I probably wouldn’t want to touch that.”
He went on to talk about the research that went into Kin–and how it's closer to reality than you might realize.
Cox said of his leading role in Kin:
“...once I'd accepted the role I started to do my research. And what I discovered was that this story is very closely based on a real ongoing crime feud, family like mafia feud in Dublin… I was like - somebody like Peter told me who my character is based on and - you know normally it's like historical events, right? You play someone from the past. Reading up about this guy, I'm like, ‘That guy just got released from jail. He’s in Dublin. I hope he doesn’t find out I’m portraying him–and then doesn’t like it. I mean, it’s really close to home.”
The host then chimed in,
“I hope he’s a fan!” and Cox agreed, saying “I hope so. Still, I’ve never said his name publicly.” to which the MC responded “that’s probably just fine!”
Soon the conversation turned towards Daredevil and the MCU, starting with his turn in She-Hulk. Cox stated that he loved working with Tatiana Maslany, calling her “one of the greatest actors of our generation.” He also said that working on She-Hulk allowed him to have a bit more fun with Daredevil. He pointed out that some
“very religious people don’t like the walk of shame, but I think it’s sort of fun”
and when the MC pointed out that Matt Murdock is a religious dude, Cox said
“(he) doesn’t always act like one. Yeah.”
When it got to fan questions, one attendee asked Charlie Cox about his experiences working with Netflix versus working with the MCU. Cox said,
“My bosses were Marvel, you know, the day-to-day was with Marvel TV, really, which now is kind of under the umbrella of the MCU.” he goes on to say, “It feels really good, as so many people say, to be welcome to the MCU. It feels really good to be a part of that whole thing, and for us to have that opportunity, at least now, to have more of these crossovers which the fans love.”
An attendee asked Charlie Cox about the change in direction for the upcoming Daredevil: Born Again. Cox initially said “I'm not going to answer that” but went on to explain “I’m not going to answer that because it’s more complicated (than the information that is available online.)”
Cox went on to elaborate between the different direction the show took:
“You know, there's some of the material, a lot of the material that we shot pre (writer’s) strike is brilliant and it's still in the show and works really well. There were just some complicating factors around what we had been tasked to do and what we were discovering wasn't working. So I would aim to answer that, and then make it sound like what people were doing before the changes were made was not good or wrong. It's just more. It's more complicated with that, so what I will say is credit to Marvel. That they looked at the episodes and would acknowledge that we can still do better. And that we may maybe need to go in a slightly different direction. And I mean, you have to count yourself so lucky to be working for a company that is willing to do that, you know, and spend more money together. Where…we have ended up felt really good.”
We can't wait to see what happens with Daredevil and we're grateful Charlie Cox was able to come here to Fan Expo Chicago and let us in on some of his thoughts and experiences. Don't forget to check out the main page for more Fan Expo Chicago content whether you live here or not - we've got plenty of cosplay galleries, panel writeups and more to help you get caught up on what's new with your favorite franchises and actors.
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