Marvel's upcoming Disney+ series She-Hulk will bring the beloved superhero to life in live-action for the first time. However, viewers unaccustomed to Bruce Banner's super-strong cousin might not realize what they're getting into. While they might expect She-Hulk to punch her way out of problems, they might not be anticipating a comedic legal drama where a suit-wearing She-Hulk dukes it out in a court of law.
While there's no guarantee that the series will follow that format, there's another legal drama that's already ostensibly part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Netflix's Daredevil. While that canceled series and its fellow shows occupy an unclear place in the MCU's current continuity, She-Hulk could be the perfect place to introduce -- or reintroduce -- Daredevil to MCU canon.
Daredevil's Legal Drama
When Disney and Netflix broke ties leading into the development of their Disney+ platform, a lot of people wondered what would become of the fairly popular Netflix MCU series. Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and The Punisher might not be Avengers, but they and their shows still have loyal, die-hard fans.
However, we didn't know the terms on which Disney and Netflix parted until Variety published an article offering more clarity. The original deal with Netflix reportedly included a clause that prevented any characters from the Netflix series from appearing in "any non-Netflix series or film for at least two years after cancellation."
This means that the Marvel Cinematic Universe would be unable to re-introduce the Netflix characters until 2021 at the earliest. Jessica Jones's third and final season released on 2019, so two years following that season, the final clause of the Netflix deal will lose all power.
She-Hulk's Schedule is Key
While Disney+ has announced a large slate of Marvel shows in development, it's not clear when She-Hulk or many of its other just-announced shows will debut. As of now, She-Hulk is not on the revealed 2020 or 2021 slate for Disney+, which suggests that it could come out in 2022 at the earliest (unless Marvel shuffles around other productions).
Theoretically, that would put it well after the 2021 date when the MCU can finally incorporate the Netflix characters back into their world. Whether Marvel introduces a new Matt Murdock or continues with Charlie Cox in the role, this is when he can finally be reintroduced.
And when Marvel gets the rights to Daredevil back, She-Hulk presents a unique way to bring him back into the MCU with a twist.
She-Hulk's Legal Drama
She-Hulk is a character who is largely defined by her occupation as a super-powered lawyer. Like Matt Murdock, She-Hulk fights almost as many battles in the courtroom as she does on the battlefield.
It's not tough to imagine She-Hulk entering the court room to find Matt Murdock opposing her. Fans would be able to see two heroes confront each other in a venue where they've rarely met, even in comic books. As they match wits against one another, this battle of brains would offer a rivalry between two otherwise mismatched characters.
This could also bleed into some superhero investigation scenes, which could naturally lead into conflicts between two very different characters. She-Hulk's strength would make her a formidable opponent, but Daredevil's skill as a fighter would make it a far more balanced fight.
However, those are dramatic potentials provided by this crossover. There is another, even more tempting reason for this crossover.
Self-Referential Humor
Next to Deadpool and Squirrel Girl, She-Hulk is one of Marvel's most comedic and self-referential characters. At times in the comics, she has directly broken the fourth wall, commenting on creative decisions made by the writers and artists about her character.
It might be a little too on-the-nose for live-action, but it's not impossible to expect She-Hulk to crack a joke at the divide between Netflix and Disney+'s MCU content, pointing out how Daredevil never appeared in the fight against Thanos or anything like that.
Daredevil appearing in She-Hulk would be a great chance to reintroduce the character, sure, but it would also offer a great opportunity for She-Hulk to crack the jokes MCU fans have been cracking since the Netflix deal was first struck.