It certainly seems that the Netflix series Daredevil is intending to crank it up a notch or three for its second season, with a number of additional characters now set to make an appearance. It was the cryptic tweet recently sent by the official Daredevil Twitter account that stirred the most imaginations, however, as it hinted mysteriously at the arrival of a character that some viewers may not even have realized they’ve met before.
I gotta be good. So I make things. I’m good at making things. #Daredevil pic.twitter.com/AWD4JgOYOl
— Daredevil (@Daredevil) July 24, 2015
In season one, we were introduced to a man in the employ of Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio), who worked as a tailor – specializing in providing clothes with especially protective qualities. He was also revealed to be a skilled martial artist, and was working for Fisk under duress. This man was Melvin Potter (Matt Gerald – also seen recently in San Andreas), and this Twitter teaser indicates that he will return to Daredevil for season two as his comic book alter ego, Gladiator.
Gladiator has no superpowers of his own to speak of, but uses his skills as a clothes designer and tailor to create his own armoured suit – complete with circular saw-blades on each gauntlet (hence the monogrammed blades in the Twitter picture). He is a renowned nemesis of Daredevil, having first appeared in Daredevil #18 in 1966, but has also battled Iron Man and Spider-Man. As a supervillain, his character becomes rather more complex, however, and he occasionally can be found as a supporter of Daredevil in his campaigns for justice against organized crime.
Gladiator will join the growing list of Marvel characters appearing in Daredevil season 2, including Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle – also known as Punisher – and Elodie Yung as Elektra Natchios. Confirmed as returning from season one are Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll), Foggy Nelson (Eldon Henson) and Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson) – as well as the man without fear himself, Matt Murdock/Daredevil (Charlie Cox). There is, of course, plenty of time for more casting announcements, though, as Daredevil season 2 is not due for release until 2016.