Vincent D'Onofrio: Wilson Fisk's Movie Rights Issues

One of the most iconic villains in recent superhero history might never grace the big screen. In a recent interview on the podcast Happy Sad Confused, Vincent D’Onofrio, who plays Wilson Fisk, better known as Kingpin, revealed that bringing his version of the character to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is proving to be a near-impossible feat.

"It's a very hard thing to do, for Marvel to use my character," D’Onofrio explained. "It's a very hard thing to do, because of ownership and stuff." He elaborated further, stating that his portrayal of Fisk is exclusive to television, adding, "Not even a one-off Wilson Fisk movie." The actor emphasized that legal rights and ownership issues are standing in the way of his character appearing in MCU films.

This news effectively shuts the door on D’Onofrio reprising his role in upcoming projects like Spider-Man: Brand New Day or Avengers: Doomsday. Moreover, it raises questions about whether his Kingpin will feature in any future Daredevil-related projects, such as a rumored standalone Charlie Cox film.

In discussing his approach to the role, D’Onofrio drew inspiration from classic actors like Harrison Ford and Gary Cooper. "They carried their own humility into the action scenes with them," he noted. "It's the humility in their eyes that makes it look real." This attention to detail underscores why D’Onofrio’s Kingpin remains such a beloved figure in the superhero landscape.

As fans eagerly await the conclusion of Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+, set to premiere its season finale on April 15, 2025, the question lingers: Will Kingpin remain confined to the small screen, or will the stars align for a cinematic reunion with Matt Murdock? For now, D’Onofrio’s words suggest the latter is highly unlikely.