In a development that has sent Marvel fans into a frenzy, Ben Affleck’s long-dormant Daredevil is officially set to make a jaw-dropping comeback in the highly anticipated Avengers: Secret Wars. The news, confirmed by insider sources close to Marvel Studios, marks a stunning resurrection for the character Affleck portrayed in the 2003 film—a movie that, while polarizing at the time, has since gained a cult following. But the surprises don’t end there. Affleck’s Daredevil won’t be riding solo; he’s joining forces with two other iconic heroes from Marvel’s cinematic past: Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man. Together, this trio forms a multiverse-spanning team that promises to deliver one of the most electrifying showdowns in superhero cinema history.

The announcement comes as Avengers: Secret Wars shapes up to be Marvel’s most ambitious project yet, slated for release in 2027. Building on the multiverse groundwork laid by Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Spider-Man: No Way Home, the film is poised to unite heroes and villains from across different timelines and studios, weaving together decades of Marvel lore. Affleck’s return as the Man Without Fear is particularly unexpected, given his rocky history with the role. The 2003 Daredevil film, while a box-office success, was panned by critics and became a punchline in Affleck’s career—a point he’s often reflected on with self-deprecating humor. Yet, time has been kind to the movie, with fans rediscovering its gritty charm and Affleck’s earnest performance through retrospectives and memes.

Now, more than two decades later, Affleck is getting a shot at redemption. Sources say Marvel approached him in secret months ago, capitalizing on his renewed goodwill from roles like “Sad Affleck” Batman and his recent directorial successes. “Ben was hesitant at first,” an insider revealed, “but the idea of teaming up with Hugh and Tobey, and the promise of a fresh take on Daredevil, won him over.” The multiverse concept allows Marvel to sidestep the original film’s canon, reimagining Affleck’s Matt Murdock as a battle-hardened veteran from an alternate reality—one who’s faced darker trials than his Netflix counterpart, played by Charlie Cox. While Cox’s Daredevil has become a fan favorite in the MCU, Affleck’s version will reportedly bring a distinct flavor, leaning into the over-the-top action and brooding intensity of the early 2000s.

The real kicker, though, is the team-up. Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, last seen in 2017’s Logan, is already confirmed to return alongside Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool & Wolverine, set for 2024. That film’s multiverse antics will apparently pave the way for Jackman to join Secret Wars, reprising his adamantium-clawed mutant in all his gruff glory. Meanwhile, Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man, the web-slinger who kicked off the superhero boom with 2002’s Spider-Man, made a triumphant return in No Way Home. Fans wept as he swung back into action, and now he’s slated to don the red-and-blue suit once more. Pairing these three legends—each hailing from a different era of Marvel’s cinematic legacy—feels like a love letter to longtime fans, a nod to the franchises that built the superhero genre into what it is today.

Details about their role in Secret Wars remain scarce, but speculation is running wild. The film, based on the 1984 and 2015 comic events, is expected to pit Earth’s mightiest heroes against a cosmic threat—rumored to be Doctor Doom or an multiversal incarnation of Kang the Conqueror. Affleck’s Daredevil, Jackman’s Wolverine, and Maguire’s Spider-Man could form a ragtag resistance from shattered universes, brought together by the collapse of reality itself. Imagine the possibilities: Daredevil’s street-level grit clashing with Wolverine’s feral rage, while Spider-Man’s quips and optimism hold the team together. “It’s a dream team no one saw coming,” a Marvel executive reportedly said. “Their chemistry will be off the charts.”

Fan reactions have been ecstatic, with social media ablaze since the leak. “Ben Affleck’s Daredevil with Tobey and Hugh? I’m crying, screaming, throwing up—this is EVERYTHING,” one X user posted. Others have praised Marvel for embracing its past rather than shying away from it, especially after years of Affleck distancing himself from the role. The actor himself has stayed silent so far, though his recent cryptic Instagram post—a black-and-white photo of a blindfolded figure with the caption “Seeing red”—has only fueled the hype. Jackman and Maguire, both known for keeping mum until official trailers drop, have yet to comment, but their involvement feels like a full-circle moment for two actors who defined Marvel’s early big-screen triumphs.

For Affleck, this is more than a cameo—it’s a chance to rewrite his superhero legacy. The 2003 Daredevil may have been a punching bag, but Secret Wars offers a clean slate, blending nostalgia with the MCU’s boundless creativity. Paired with Jackman and Maguire, he’s part of a trio that bridges generations of fandom, from the pre-MCU days to the present. As Avengers: Secret Wars barrels toward its epic conclusion—potentially the culmination of Marvel’s Phase Six—the stakes couldn’t be higher. Will this multiverse team steal the show? If the buzz is any indication, Affleck’s Daredevil is about to prove he’s more than a meme—he’s a hero ready to fight alongside the best. The countdown to 2027 has officially begun.