Born Again’ Almost Had an Echo/Punisher Teamup

The first season of Daredevil: Born Again was partially built off the bones of an old version. One idea which didn’t survive the changeover? Apparently, a one-off episode focused on the Punisher (Jon Bernthal) and Echo (Alaqua Cox).

In a recent interview with IGN, writer Jesse Wigutow—who wrote two of season one’s nine episodes—mentioned a “bottle episode” that was planned featuring Frank and Maya that he’d have written. When this was being concepted “two, three years ago,” the two antiheroes would’ve “shared an interesting night together. Not romantically, but narratively, said Wigutow. He conceded that it could resurface in Born Again’s future, but called its original development “crooked” and said might need a slight rework.

While Echo’s a more recent MCU addition and only had one run-in with Daredevil, her and Punisher hanging out could be fun. The closest thing Born Again had to a one-off was its bank heist halfway through the season, which seemed to be generally liked that season. If the show’s got the space for bottle episodes that can highlight its supporting street heroes who don’t have the time or space for a full spinoff of their own, this is a good way to work within the system.

As for Punisher, he’s got a solo special that’ll have him doing what he does best. That’s due sometime in 2026, presumably before Daredevil: Born Again returns for season two. And sometime after that, we’ll get more of Matt and whoever else in season three.

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