When Marvel first launched its Disney+ lineup, the studio swung for the fences with ambitious series like WandaVision and Loki, but not every experiment landed. Among the stumbles was Moon Knight, a 2022 miniseries that, despite a magnetic lead in Oscar Isaac, failed to capture the gritty, street-level energy fans had hoped for. Now, with Daredevil: Born Again proving that darker Marvel storytelling can thrive on the streaming service, the path is clear for Marvel to give Moon Knight the revival he deserves.
From Netflix to Disney+: The Shift That Changed Everything
When Disney+ first debuted, the platform was cautious about mature content, keeping everything at a PG-13 rating or below. That all changed in 2022 when the Netflix-era Marvel shows—Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and others—finally arrived on Disney+. Their inclusion paved the way for Daredevil: Born Again, a revival that not only brought back the original cast but also embraced the TV-MA tone that made the Netflix series so beloved. The first season was a critical and fan favorite, proving that adult-skewing superhero stories can thrive on Disney+.
Why Moon Knight Missed the Mark
Despite Isaac's compelling performance, Moon Knight struggled with tonal inconsistency. The series spent too much time on mythological backstory and not enough on establishing the character's iconic persona. Ethan Hawke's villain, Arthur Harrow, was a wasted opportunity—a minor comic book foe who never felt threatening. The Egyptian deity subplots came off as awkward, and the action sequences were few and far between. Even the signature Mr. Knight alter ego was mishandled, leaving fans disappointed.
The show also made a crucial misstep by giving Marc Spector a magical suit that made him nearly invincible, complete with a grappling hook that felt out of place. In the comics, Moon Knight's gear was grounded—provided by a group called the Committee, not by divine magic. This departure from the source material diluted the character's appeal.
The Daredevil Blueprint for a Moon Knight Revival
Daredevil: Born Again has demonstrated that Marvel can successfully revive a character with a darker, more grounded approach. The series excels at brutal, visceral fight scenes and street-level storytelling, elements that would perfectly suit Moon Knight. A new Moon Knight series should follow suit, ditching the magical suit and re-centering the character in New York City, where he can face off against villains like Morpheus and Stained Glass Scarlet—foes that fit the gritty tone.
One of the biggest omissions in the original series was the absence of Raoul Bushman, Moon Knight's archenemy. A revival could finally introduce him properly, along with Frenchie, the loyal aide who pilots the iconic Moon-Copter. These elements, combined with the grounded action style of Daredevil: Born Again, could give Moon Knight the second chance he deserves.
A Proven Formula for Success
The success of Daredevil: Born Again has opened the door for more mature Marvel content on Disney+. With the series set to conclude in 2027, there's a prime opportunity for Marvel to slot in a Moon Knight revival that embraces the same formula. By focusing on street-level crime, psychological depth, and intense action, Marvel can finally deliver the Moon Knight story fans have been waiting for.
For more on how Marvel is expanding its darker storytelling, check out our take on why horror anthologies deserve a second life. And if you're a fan of gritty reboots, you might also enjoy Steven S. DeKnight's gritty Aladdin reboot.
Moon Knight's potential has always been there—it just needs the right creative team and the freedom to go darker. With Daredevil: Born Again as a template, Marvel has no excuse not to bring the character back in a way that honors his comic book roots and delivers the thrilling, grounded adventures fans crave.
