With San Diego Comic-Con confirming that The Punisher were all popular shows for Netflix, so audiences would love to see them all return.
Mike Colter's Luke Cage and Finn Jones' Iron Fist haven't been seen since season 2 of their respective shows, which both premiered in 2018. Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones and Jon Bernthal as the Punisher haven't appeared on screen since season 3 of Jessica Jones and season 2 of The Punisher, respectively, which both premiered in 2019. Now that Charlie Cox is confirmed to be playing a role in the Phase 5 and 6 of the MCU, surely at least some of the other Defenders will also make a return.
Rumors have been swirling regarding the returns of all the Netflix Marvel heroes. Krysten Ritter is reportedly confirmed to be returning as Jessica Jones in an MCU project (via Iron Fist was the least well-received of all the Marvel Netflix shows.
What Role Will Daredevil & The Defenders Play In MCU Phases 5 & 6?
Daredevil is set to make an appearance in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and then again in his own show, Daredevil: Born Again. Daredevil will most likely have a large role to play in the MCU Phase 5 and 6, even if it is largely only on the small screen. With She-Hulk functioning as a law comedy show and Daredevil being a lawyer himself, it's fitting this is where he will make his return–potentially as Matt Murdock. not Daredevil. It also wouldn't come as a surprise to see Jessica Jones make an appearance in She-Hulk since she is a private investigator. Even if it ends up just being a small role, having Jessica Jones work with She-Hulk would surely please audiences.
Jon Bernthal's Punisher previously was thought to be unlikely to return. His character is much more gritty and violent than what the MCU usually offers, but his return has seemed more possible lately. The Punisher is a very popular character and if the MCU can adapt a Deadpool 3 for the MCU, they could certainly continue the Punisher's story and keep it for mature audiences.
San Diego Comic-Con also confirmed that MCU Phase 5 will end with the film Luke Cage is often on the Thunderbolts roster, so it is likely he could return in this film, maybe even as one of the main characters. If this is the case, it's likely he could return in a smaller role in Daredevil: Born Again or another property to set up his involvement in Thunderbolts.
Daredevil: Born Again is set to release on Disney+ in 2024 and this remains the most likely project to see some of the other Defenders make a return. Jessica Jones is the most likely to make an appearance, it would be great to see all of the Defenders and the Punisher make a comeback alongside Daredevil. It remains to be seen if they will, but the Marvel Netflix characters are too popular with audiences to never return.