Marvel Studios has confirmed that Muse, a new R-rated villain, will be making his MCU debut in the much anticipated Daredevil: Born Again series. After playing Matt Murdock’s blind crime-fighter, Daredevil, in Netflix’s Defenders Saga, Charlie Cox reprised the role in the MCU proper, and has made several cameo appearances leading up to his upcoming solo series. Marvel Studios’ Daredevil: Born Again series is set to continue the story of Netflix’s Daredevil, pitting Murdock against Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin, but also introducing a horrifying new threat.
Daredevil: Born Again is expected to premiere on Disney+ in March 2025, so while it may be too early for an official trailer, new footage from Daredevil: Born Again shown to the audience at this year’s D23 revealed more about the series. This footage provided a first look at Muse in the upcoming series, confirming the villain’s debut after he had previously been rumored to appear. Muse is one of Daredevil’s darkest enemies in Marvel Comics, so his introduction into the MCU could change the shape of the franchise forever.
Who Is Muse? Marvel Comics Origin Explained
Muse is one of Marvel Comics’ most mysterious and enigmatic characters. His real name has never been revealed, which has only strengthened the villain’s haunting mythology. First seen in 2016’s Daredevil (Vol. 5) #11, Muse is a deranged and sadistic serial killer with a penchant for art. Muse’s works of art stretch from simple street graffiti, which has been glimpsed during the production of Daredevil: Born Again, to grand pieces composed of blood, organs and bodies of his many victims.
Muse’s first work in Marvel Comics, discovered by the vigilante Blindspot in Washington Heights, was a mural painted with the blood of over a hundred people. His second, working in competition with himself, featured the corpses of six Inhumans posed with props as if they were performing everyday tasks. After being tracked down by Blindspot and Daredevil during preparation for his next piece, Muse gauged Blindpot’s eyes out to distract the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen, and broke his own fingers upon his capture to avoid giving Daredevil the satisfaction.
Following Wilson Fisk’s rise to power as the Mayor of New York and his establishment of anti-vigilante laws, Muse escaped from his prison and continued his work. This involved painting huge and irremovable pieces of graffiti showing support for various vigilantes, but Kingpin only used this to push his agenda further. Muse soon came to blows with Blindspot again, with the latter defeating the villain thanks to the power of the Hand’s Beast. Losing to Blindspot spurred Muse to commit suicide, allowing himself to be consumed by fire in 2018’s Daredevil #600.
Muse painted huge murals of Daredevil, Spider-Man, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Moon Knight, She-Hulk and the Punisher across the entire sides of tall buildings in New York City before being defeated by Blindspot.
Muse’s Marvel Powers Explained
Since very little is known about Muse’s background and history, the source of his few superhuman gifts is unclear. However, his powers do seem to help him significantly during his pursuits. Muse’s body somehow acts like a vortex which can absorb any kind of sensory information that surrounds him. This makes Muse incredibly hard to track, with even Daredevil struggling to target him, despite having enhanced senses. Muse’s superhuman speed also helps with this, as he is able to move faster than what the human eye can track, allowing him to remain out of sight.
Muse seems to have been enhanced somehow prior to his introduction in Daredevil (Vol. 5) #11. He has a level of superhuman strength that is far beyond the average human, proved by his ability to swiftly lift and move many dead bodies. Muse is also very agile, and may potentially be able to climb walls akin to Spider-Man, as he is able to quickly paint giant murals of various superheroes across the entire facades of buildings. He is also a skilled hand-to-hand combatant, being able to take down even the most skilled soldier or vigilante.
Muse Might Be The MCU’s Most R-Rated Villain Yet
Since Daredevil: Born Again was first confirmed to be in development in May 2022, there have been calls for the series to be given a TV-MA rating. This would allow the series to feature the same level of brutality and action that was popular in Netflix’s original Daredevil series, and would also explain Muse’s appearance in the show, as he could be the most R-rated villain in the MCU’s entire history. Daredevil: Born Again’s TV-MA rating hasn’t yet been confirmed, but since Muse is set to debut, a TV-MA rating seems likely for the upcoming series.
Muse is a very bold villain to introduce to the MCU.
There have been some shocking and violent villains in the MCU’s history, including the likes of Red Skull, Hela and Gorr the God Butcher, but Muse might be the most haunting yet. His affinity for brutally murdering individuals and then creating art from their bodily fluids and organs is truly nightmare-inducing. Muse is a very bold villain to introduce into the MCU, and would perhaps only work to full effect if Daredevil: Born Again is gifted a TV-MA rating. Muse won’t be the only villain in the upcoming Disney+ show, but will perhaps be the most disturbing.
