Marvel Studios has recently acquired the the film rights to that old red hornhead. However an origin movie would absolutely suck for this character. A more elegant approach to the film is more than necessary, as evident by the backlash from the newest Spider-Man movie. Reconstructing a hero for our modern times is no easy task, and there are hundreds of different directions to take this character. Fans of Daredevil and his universe have no reason to worry as Marvel Studios has treated every film adaptation with the utmost care. Here are five of the hundreds of roads this film could possibly take.

1) Exploring The Lighter Side

Waid and Samnee’s series is currently one of the best comics being published anywhere in the industry. So far the Marvel films have operated exclusively on a very wide scope, except for maybe Iron Man. Slowing down and showing the nuances of an interesting person like Matt Murdock, and putting the mask second is unexplored potential. Creating a new villain for the big red cheese would suit the movie nicely, yet so would some of the physically imposing villains that Waid has created. Murdock’s relationship with Foggy  Nelson is fascinating in the comic, seeing the titular character through regular eyes is a road less traveled in the superhero film franchises. This movie would also be well suited to tie into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

2) Outing The Identity

Yes this has been done before, but exploring it under the context that Bendis and Maleev did was a natural progression for the character. In fact, it was a risk so bold and well executed that it has stuck around since its inception. The hardest question to answer is where in the movie to execute this idea, and the answer is the end. The idea in question is unveiling the identity of the main superhero. There is a reason that this character puts on a mask before fighting crime, and throughout the years his identity was the worst kept secret in modern comic books. Delivering a gritty and realistic environment, then proceeding to sweep the rug out underneath the movie going audience is a strong choice. This change in tone and pacing would set this apart from other superhero films, and under the right execution this film could be absolutely stunning.

3) Enter The 70’s

This was originally the idea of director Joe Carnahan, who had the incredible sizzle but no movie. The director is the perfect choice for the movie simply because viewers can notice that he has the tone completely nailed from the short video. Also judging by the many comic book panels from the trailer, the director obviously appreciates the source material. This project would have brought a new flavor to the fan favorite studio, that was very unique and inspired. This movie seems to be a shoe in for quality should it ever be released, but the problem is getting people in the seats to view the movie. In the current movie marketplace there is definitely room for a Grindhouse inspired Daredevil movie.

4) End Of Days

Every single issue of this mini-series has been utterly fantastic. The length and pace of this thriller would lend to a movie script almost perfectly. Territory like this has never before been explored in the context of a superhero film. If the Carnahan movie would have been a hard sell to the general public, this would be much more difficult. In this more modern era we live in a world where people can smell quality a mile away, which ensures at least a few fans seeing the movie. Another piece of the puzzle missing here is The Punisher and Elektra, whose film rights are wrapped up under a thick amount of red tape. These characters could be replaced by others without effecting the quality of the stories presented here. This movie could be one of the greatest superhero films ever made!

5) Man Without Fear: Nonlinear Storytelling

Frank Miller has contributed some truly amazing stories to the world of comic books, with Daredevil: The Man Without Fear being one of them. While this miniseries was truly awesome, it established many of the tropes we use today. The story may seem slightly dated to superhero fans who have such incredibly high expectations, thanks to other stories and movies. A trope not utilized yet in cape and cowl movies is nonlinear storytelling. Having DD swing through the city and then flashing to how he got his powers could make for  a unique film. Setting up a huge villain like Bullseye or the Daredevil supporting cast in flashbacks, and then paying them off in the modern day could subvert the tired feeling of origin stories. Nobody can forget the origin of the hornhead completely, which is why this could breathe life into the idea of  a superhero film. Flicks like Inception show that an audience likes to be taken seriously, and our favorite blind superhero loves his fans!

A comic book chameleon like DD is one of the richest characters to ever grace the printed page, and he deserves a movie that is not crap!