Summary
- Zack Snyder reveals his interest in directing an Elektra Natchios project in the MCU, but its dark and gritty nature might not fit the family-friendly tone of Marvel Studios' franchise.
- Elektra Lives Again, a 1990 Marvel Comics storyline by Frank Miller, explores the aftermath of Elektra's death and delves into the psyche of Daredevil. It is a dark and intense narrative that aligns with Snyder's trademark filmmaking style.
- While there is uncertainty regarding the canon status of Netflix's Daredevil series in the MCU, a potential adaptation of Elektra Lives Again could be a logical next step for Élodie Yung's story as Elektra.
Zack Snyder has revealed the one Zack Snyder's involvement with Marvel Studios is currently nothing more than wishful thinking, the acclaimed director has revealed one Marvel Comics storyline that could convince him to the ever-growing superhero universe.
While also directing projects such as Dawn of the Dead, 300, Army of the Dead and Rebel Moon, Zack Snyder achieved widespread recognition as the man leading the beginnings of the DCEU. After directing Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Snyder departed the franchise due to personal circumstances, though acted as producer on several subsequent DCEU projects. Snyder's work with Warner Bros. was divisive, but many still want him to bring his trademark style into the MCU. During a recent story for The Hollywood Reporter, Snyder revealed that one Marvel Comics story could bring him to the MCU: 1990's Elektra Lives Again by Frank Miller.
If Marvel rang, he might think for a beat about a Daredevil and Elektra movie — maybe adapting Frank Miller’s Elektra Lives Again (“But that’s it,” he insists).
"You Picked The Wrong Guy": Zack Snyder Singles Out Where His DC Vision First Clashed With Warner Bros
DCEU creator Zack Snyder reveals his original approach to the Snyderverse and explains why it wasn't compatible with a traditional franchise.
Why Elektra Lives Again Is Perfect For Zack Snyder
Elektra Lives Again was released in March 1990, created by Marvel Comics regular Frank Miller and his then-wife Lynn Varley. Throughout the 1980s, Miller penned a huge number of Daredevil stories, culminating in the apparent death of Matt Murdock's love-interest Elektra Natchios. 1990's Elektra Lives Again featured Murdock in turmoil following Elektra's death, as the Devil of Hell's Kitchen was taunted by dreams of Elektra returning from the dead and operating once again as a vigilante. The storyline used unconventional artwork and an intense character study on Daredevil and Elektra to deliver one of the period's darkest narratives, which perhaps makes Zack Snyder the perfect director for a live-action adaptation.
One of the biggest criticisms of Zack Snyder's work in the DCEU was the fact that his plan for the Justice League's development over five feature films told darker and grittier superhero stories than many viewers were used to or expecting. This scrutiny was aimed primarily at Henry Cavill's Superman, who was more brooding than a vision of optimism. What created criticism in the DCEU, however, would work perfectly for an adaptation of Elektra Lives Again in the MCU. The Marvel Comics storyline is incredibly dark, featuring unadulterated action and very adult themes to delve deep into Matt Murdock's psyche following Elektra's death - prime storytelling ground for Zack Snyder.
How Elektra Lives Again Has Already Been Set Up
Charlie Cox reprised the role of Matt Murdock, a.k.a. Daredevil, from Marvel Television's Daredevil series in the MCU's Multiverse Saga, making cameo appearances in Spider-Man: No Way Home, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and the Echo before embarking on his debut solo series in Phase 5, Daredevil: Born Again. Since Cox, Vincent D'Onofrio and Jon Bernthal are returning in the MCU after first appearing in Netflix's Daredevil, it's possible that Élodie Yung could also reprise the role of Elektra Natchios. After Elektra's apparent demise in The Defenders, an Elektra Lives Again adaptation in the MCU could be the perfect next step for her story.
It's currently unclear if Marvel Television's Daredevil series is canon to the main MCU continuity, so it's possible that a new version of Elektra Natchios may be introduced to the MCU to replace Yung. If this is the case, it could be some time before Elektra Lives Again is even considered for adaptation, though it may make sense to build connections to the popular Defenders Saga on Netflix. While Élodie Yung hasn't been confirmed to be returning, Jennifer Garner is reprising her version of Elektra from 2003's Daredevil in Marvel Studios' Deadpool 3, perhaps hinting at the MCU's official version of Elektra making her debut in the near future.
Snyder's Favored MCU Movie Is Too NSFW To Work
While Zack Snyder may jump at the chance to direct an Elektra Lives Again adaptation in the MCU's future, it's possible that this storyline will simply be too dark for the MCU's family-friendly tones. Elektra Lives Again is gritty, emotional and incredibly graphic, so would certainly be a divergence from Marvel Studios' light-hearted textures. However, with recent R-rated and TV-MA rated projects being embraced by Marvel Studios, such as Echo, Deadpool 3 and Blade, an Elektra Lives Again adaptation could work. With the recent announcement of the Marvel Spotlight banner, focusing on darker MCU tales, Elektra Natchios could embark on this intense storyline in the MCU's future.
