Daredevil (2003)

Did You Know?

• Ben Affleck was a lifelong comic book fan and took the role because Daredevil was one of his favourite superheroes growing up.
• The film’s visualisation of Daredevil’s “radar sense” was inspired by echolocation in bats.
• Jennifer Garner (Elektra) trained extensively in martial arts for the role, which later led to her own Elektra spin-off film.
• Colin Farrell insisted on doing many of his own stunts as Bullseye, adding to the character’s unpredictable energy.
• The director’s cut of the film, released later, is 30 minutes longer and includes more violence and story depth — many fans prefer it over the theatrical version.
• Michael Clarke Duncan put on extra muscle weight to play Kingpin, making him even more physically intimidating.
• The church fight between Daredevil and Bullseye pays homage to Frank Miller’s iconic Daredevil comic run.
• Affleck nearly turned down the role due to his fear of wearing tight superhero costumes, after famously mocking them in Chasing Amy.
• The soundtrack, featuring Evanescence and Seether, became just as popular as the movie and is often remembered as peak 2000s.
• Ben Affleck later admitted he wasn’t fully satisfied with the film but said it gave him valuable experience — which influenced his later return to superhero roles as Batman.