History Trivia / Daredevil2003

** Creator/BenAffleck does not look back on this experience fondly. Although he was an avid fan of the original comics, he hated how the final product turned out. He also stated that wearing a costume was "a source of humiliation". Considering his taking up Batman's cape and cowl, though, it may have been the backlash from the HollywoodHypeMachine more than anything.

* DeletedRole: A subplot with a character framed for murder by a corrupt cop and played by Music/{{Coolio}} was removed, primarily to make the film shorter, and get it a PG-13 rating. However, Coolio was featured in trailers for the film. The subplot can be seen in the director's cut of the movie however.

* StarMakingRole: Music/{{Evanescence}}'s contributions to the film's soundtrack gave them exposure and officially launched the band's career.

** Creator/JoleneBlalock, Creator/MiaMaestro, and Creator/RhonaMitra were the final contenders for the role of [[Comicbook/{{Elektra}} Elektra Natchios]] before the casting of Creator/JenniferGarner.
*** Creator/PenelopeCruz, Creator/LucyLiu, Creator/JessicaAlba, Creator/KatieHolmes, Creator/SalmaHayek, Creator/KateWinslet and Creator/NataliePortman were also considered for the part of Elektra Natchios before the casting of Garner. Alba would later go on to play [[ComicBook/InvisibleWoman Susan Storm]] in the ''Film/FantasticFourDuology'', while Portman would go on to play Jane Foster in the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse.
** Creator/BrettCullen was considered for Jack Murdock and Creator/DonalLogue was considered for Foggy Nelson.

* ScullyBox: Used on Creator/MichaelClarkeDuncan of all people. While he is every bit as imposing as his comics counterpart at 6'5", They still had to make him appear more imposing when next to Creator/BenAffleck, who stands at 6'4". Helped by the fact that Duncan is far more muscular than Affleck, making him seem bigger.

* DVDBonusContent: Features the standard extra features, such as a director's commentary and other behind the scenes features but one of the unique features at the time of release was an UsefulNotes/AudioDescription track for visually impaired people. Several cast and crew members insisted on it. There's nothing particularly unique about an Audio Description track now; they are found on many DVD releases (Particularly Blu-Ray). However, at the time (2003), there were [[http://www.acb.org/adp/dvdspre2010.html under 20 DVDs released to the general public with audio description]], and Blu-Ray would not be released for three more years.

** The DVD includes a commentary track in the most literal sense. While most blind people are familiar with a commentary track [[UsefulNotes/AudioDescription describing the action onscreen allowing them to "watch" a movie]], back then, those tracks were not typically included on wide-release videos and DVD. ''Daredevil'' includes the commentary track for the blind -- fitting, as Comicbook/{{Daredevil}} is a blind superhero -- which explains the actions onscreen as they happen. It's an interesting experience to "watch" the movie with your eyes closed and that commentary on to get a feel for how the blind see movies.

** A different form occurred on the DVD release, where both the cast and crew insisted that an UsefulNotes/AudioDescription be included, making it one of the first films to do so.

* OldShame:
** Creator/BenAffleck does not look back on this experience fondly. Although he was an avid fan of the original comics, he hated how the final product turned out. He also stated that wearing a costume was "a source of humiliation". Considering his taking up Batman's cape and cowl, though, it may have been the backlash from the HollywoodHypeMachine more than anything.
** Averted with Writer[=/=]Director Mark Steven Johnson - you would ''expect'' him to dislike the theatrical cut of the film due to ExecutiveMeddling that left an entire subplot on the cutting room floor, but on the ''Daredevil: Director's Cut'' DVD, he states that whilst he likes some of the scenes added to the theatrical cut, he feels the Director's Cut was a superior film due to keeping various elements cut from the original release.

* StillbornFranchise: Mark Steven Johnson showed interest in a sequel that would adapt ''ComicBook/DaredevilBornAgain'', as well as having Mr. Fear as a possible villain. Creator/BenAffleck stated he would only return in the lead role if Fox would renegotiate to tell the darker stories of Daredevil, and showed interest in a Creator/KevinSmith graphic novel which included ComicBook/{{Mysterio}}, as well as ''Born Again''. Creator/MichaelClarkeDuncan expressed an interest in returning as Kingpin. It ultimately never happened and the character reverted back to Marvel, where he made a [[Series/Daredevil2015 much more well-received comeback]].

* DVDBonusContent: Features the standard extra features, such as a director's commentary and other behind the scenes features but one of the unique features at the time of release was an UsefulNotes/AudioDescription track for visually impaired people. Several cast and crew members insisted on it.
** There's nothing particularly unique about an UsefulNotes/AudioDescription track now; they are found on many DVD releases (Particularly Blu-Ray). However, at the time (2003), there were [[http://www.acb.org/adp/dvdspre2010.html under 20 DVDs released to the general public with audio description]], and Blu-Ray would not be released for three more years.
* DVDCommentary: The DVD includes a commentary track in the most literal sense. While most blind people are familiar with a commentary track [[UsefulNotes/AudioDescription describing the action onscreen allowing them to "watch" a movie]], back then, those tracks were not typically included on wide-release videos and DVD. ''Daredevil'' includes the commentary track for the blind -- fitting, as Comicbook/{{Daredevil}} is a blind superhero -- which explains the actions onscreen as they happen.
** It's an interesting experience to "watch" the movie with your eyes closed and that commentary on to get a feel for how the blind see movies.

* AbilityOverAppearance: The Kingpin, traditionally [[http://www.the-isb.com/images/Kingpin.jpg a large, bald white man]], was played by Creator/MichaelClarkeDuncan. He was the best actor with the [[LargeAndInCharge size]] that they could find, and even then, he had to gain some weight and wear padding for the role. This carried over into the short-lived Mainframe animated ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManTheNewAnimatedSeries'' series on MTV, to the point of actually having Michael Clarke Duncan voice the character. Incidentally the most famous Kingpin before that, Roscoe Lee Browne of ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManTheAnimatedSeries'' was also black.

* AuthorsSavingThrow: The director's cut is seen as an improvement over the theatrical cut for many reasons.
** Foggy Nelson becomes an AscendedExtra.
** The fight scenes are longer and more intense.
** A subplot that shows Matt Murdock's skills as a lawyer was restored.
** The scenes leading up to the ball are rearranged to make that part of the movie flow better.
** There is less screen-time for Elektra.
** Wilson Fisk's acts of danger are highlighted.
** TheStinger is inserted just before the credits.

** There's also a funny moment when director Mark Steven Johnson openly admits that [[SpecialEffectsFailure an effect looks terrible]]--towards the end when Daredevil awkwardly leaps upwards between two buildings onto a roof--and tells the audience to look away for thirty seconds and then come back.

* DoingItForTheArt: So determined was Mark Steven Johnson to land the directing gig, he spent $7,000 storyboarding his screenplay.

* StillbornFranchise: Mark Steven Johnson showed interest in a sequel that would adapt ''ComicBook/DaredevilBornAgain'', as well as having Mr. Fear as a possible villain. Creator/BenAffleck stated he would only return in the lead role if Fox would renegotiate to tell the darker stories of Daredevil, and showed interest in a Creator/KevinSmith graphic novel which included ComicBook/{{Mysterio}}, as well as ''Born Again''. Creator/MichaelClarkeDuncan expressed an interest in returning as Kingpin. It ultimately never happened and the character reverted back to Marvel, where he made [[Series/Daredevil2015 much more well-received comeback]].

*** Creator/PenelopeCruz, Creator/LucyLiu, Creator/JessicaAlba, Creator/KatieHolmes, Creator/SalmaHayek, Creator/KateWinslet and Creator/NataliePortman were also considered for the part of Elektra Natchios before the casting of Garner. Alba would later go on to play [[ComicBook/InvisibleWoman Susan Storm]] in the ''[[Film/FantasticFour2005 Fantastic Four]]'' duology, while Portman would go on to play Jane Foster in the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse.

*** Creator/PatrickWilson, Creator/EdwardNorton, and Creator/VinDiesel were considered for the titular part as well before the casting of Affleck. Norton would later go on to play [[Comicbook/IncredibleHulk Bruce Banner]] in ''Film/TheIncredibleHulk'' while Diesel would portray ComicBook/{{Groot}} in the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse.

* FollowTheLeader: The original intention was for the film to be more realistic action instead of the WireFu and CG-laden RoofHopping. While in production, the hype of ''Film/SpiderMan1'' with its big action sequences had them rework the fight scenes to be comparable.

* FollowTheLeader: One of many comic book movies to come in the wake of ''Film/SpiderMan1''.

*** Creator/PenelopeCruz, Creator/LucyLiu, Creator/JessicaAlba, Creator/KatieHolmes, Creator/SalmaHayek, and Creator/NataliePortman were also considered for the part of Elektra Natchios before the casting of Garner. Alba would later go on to play [[ComicBook/InvisibleWoman Susan Storm]] in the ''[[Film/FantasticFour2005 Fantastic Four]]'' duology, while Portman would go on to play Jane Foster in the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse.
** Creator/ChrisColumbus was offered to direct the movie before [[Film/GhostRider Mark Steven Johnson]] was hired. Columbus was previously approached to helm ''Film/SpiderMan1'' before Creator/SamRaimi was hired.

** The original intention was for the film to be more realistic action instead of the WireFu and CG-laden RoofHopping. While in production, the hype of ''Film/SpiderMan1'' with its big action sequences had them rework the fight scenes to be comparable.

*** Creator/PenelopeCruz, Creator/LucyLiu, Creator/JessicaAlba, Creator/KatieHolmes, Creator/SalmaHayek, and Creator/NataliePortman were also considered for the part of Elektra Natchios before the casting of Garner. Alba would later go on to play [[ComicBook/InvisibleWoman Susan Storm]] in the ''[[Film/FantasticFour2005 Fantastic Four]]'' duology, while Portman would go on to play ComicBook/JaneFoster in the Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse.

* UnintentionalPeriodPiece: Notice all of the NuMetal and PostGrunge peppering the film's soundtrack (particularly multiple tracks from Music/{{Evanescence}}, whose career was made by the film and whose very presence ties this to the early/mid 2000s)? And all the HellbentForLeather? At the same time, however, a lot of the core plot and stylistic elements were atypical for the time; its {{Deconstruction}} of the life of a (mostly) unpowered vigilante with a day job and the predictable outcome of a bloodthirsty, vengeance-obsessed antiheroine with lots of ability, but no actual experience with serious life-or-death street combat barking up the wrong tree on her first night on the job stood in stark contrast to the idealistic bombast, campiness, or hokey faux-gritty action that other superhero movies from that time period showed, and while it definitely dates itself, many of the elements were surprisingly forward-thinking.

** [[Series/StarTrekEnterprise Jolene Blalock]], Creator/MiaMaestro, and Creator/RhonaMitra were the final contenders for the role of [[Comicbook/{{Elektra}} Elektra Natchios]] before the casting of Creator/JenniferGarner.

* RomanceOnTheSet: Creator/BenAffleck was still involved with Music/JenniferLopez and Creator/JenniferGarner with Creator/ScottFoley at the time, but after those relationships ended, Affleck and Garner became married with children for ten years.

* AbilityOverAppearance: The Kingpin, traditionally [[http://www.the-isb.com/images/Kingpin.jpg a large, bald white man]], was played by Creator/MichaelClarkeDuncan. He was the best actor with the [[LargeAndInCharge size]] that they could find, and even then, he had to gain some weight and wear padding for the role. Ironically, the Kingpin was originally supposed to be black in the comics, but an editor thought it would be racist to have a black villain. This carried over into the short-lived Mainframe animated ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManTheNewAnimatedSeries'' series on MTV, to the point of actually having Michael Clarke Duncan voice the character. Incidentally the most famous Kingpin before that, Roscoe Lee Browne of ''WesternAnimation/SpiderManTheAnimatedSeries'' was also black.

* ExecutiveMeddling: Why the theatrical version was met with a mixed reaction, but the director's cut was more warmly received. Fox smelled potential spin-off with ''Film/{{Elektra}}'', so an entire subplot concerning Matt Murdock's "lawyer by day" persona (with his case eventually leading him to the Kingpin) was removed completely. His internal struggle with his vigilante justice clashing with his faith additionally take a backseat to increased screen time for Elektra and their love angle, and the film cut down on the intended DarkerAndEdgier tone. As a result upon its release, Daredevil nearly became the first film to not cross the $100 million domestic barrier after a $40 million opening, and Elektra completely tanked. Thankfully, the director's cut SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong.