Who Could Matthew Lillard Be Playing In Daredevil: Born Again?

Marvel Cinematic Universe fans were treated to some great news recently with the revelation that the brilliant Matthew Lillard has been cast in the second season of Daredevil: Born Again. The Scream and Scooby-Doo star’s talent and larger-than-life personality are a perfect fit for a major superhero franchise — to the point that it’s flabbergasting he hasn’t featured in one already — and Marvel aficionados are already speculating who he might be playing in the MCU.

Lillard has enjoyed a recent career renaissance with his role in 2023’s Five Nights at Freddy’s and confirmation he’ll be reprising his role as Stu Macher in 2026’s Scream 7, both of which lean towards the idea that he’ll be portraying a villain in Daredevil: Born Again — but that’s in no way inevitable. So, who could the likable star be playing, based on what we know about his acting style?

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Mister Fear (Larry Cranston)

Could Charlie Cox’s “Man Without Fear” be set to be scared stiff by Lillard?

One of the most frequently suggested characters Matthew Lillard might be playing in Daredevil: Born Again is Mister Fear. Mister Fear is the name of several villains in Marvel’s comics who have the same gimmick of using a special device to fire a fear gas to induce terrifying hallucinations in their victims. While mainly a Daredevil rogue, one version of the character has also antagonized Spider-Man.

The version Lillard would be expected to play is Larry Cranston. Cranston is the third incarnation of Mister Fear in the comics and was introduced in 1972’s Daredevil #88. Lillard would likely play Cranston because the character returned to Marvel’s comics after a lengthy absence in December 2024’s Spider-Gwen: The Ghost-Spider #8. These days, when forgotten characters reappear in the comics, it’s often because Marvel Studios plans to use them in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Lillard’s ability to play unhinged, unpredictable characters — such as Stu Macher in Scream — lends itself perfectly to this role. Mister Fear’s potential to make Matt Murdock hallucinate his dead friend Foggy Nelson in the MCU is an intriguing prospect.

The Owl (Leland Owlsley’s Son Or Successor)

Daredevil has already faced the Owl in the MCU, but could Lillard be playing a new, more eccentric version?

Another common suggestion regarding who Matthew Lillard could be playing in Daredevil: Born Again is the Owl. Now, the character (Leland Owlsley) has already appeared in the MCU in the first Daredevil series, when he was played by Bob Gunton and presented as a ruthless financier and associate of Vincent D’Onofrio’s Wilson Fisk, aka Kingpin. Fisk murdered him when he attempted to assassinate his wife. The theory behind Lillard taking on the role is that he might be a successor to or the son of the previous incarnation.

Leland Owlsley mentioned having a son, Lee Owlsley, in Daredevil. Lillard could be playing him, taking on a more comic-faithful role (albeit as an original MCU character in Leland Owlsley’s son) as a villain who uses a serum to give himself enhanced physical attributes and senses. He could be out for revenge for the death of his father, bringing him into conflict with both Fisk and Daredevil. The actor’s eccentric energy and lanky frame would make for an interesting take on the character, and the links to Leland Owlsley could tie up some loose ends from the original series.

Jester (Jonathan Powers)

Lillard’s knack for blending humor with menace could be perfect for a Jester portrayal.

The other villain who is often touted as one Lillard could play in Daredevil: Born Again is Jester. Three characters go by that alias in Marvel’s comic books, but the one who is a Daredevil villain is Jonathan Powers. Powers first appeared in 1968’s Daredevil #42. He’s a failed actor who’s adept at acrobatics, gymnastics, and fencing — skills that he uses when he turns to a life of crime in a vengeful rage against the society who booed him as a performer.

Using an arsenal of joke-themed weapons forged for him by the Tinkerer (a character already in the MCU, having been played by Michael Chernus in 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming), he comes to Daredevil’s attention and ultimately stages his own murder at the vigilante’s hands. Lillard’s uncanny knack for conveying humor and menace with equal skill (think Scooby-Doo’s Norville “Shaggy” Rogers meets Five Nights at Freddy’s’ William Afton) could bring this lesser-known troublemaker to life brilliantly.

Himself (The One And Only Matthew Lillard!)

In a meta nod to his most famous role in the self-referential Scream, Matthew Lillard could play… Matthew Lillard!

A fun meta idea that would pay fitting homage to Lillard’s iconic role in Scream — one of the most self-aware movies ever made — is that the actor could be playing himself in Daredevil: Born Again. It wouldn’t be the first time Lillard has played himself — he’s done so in the likes of 2003’s Looney Tunes: Back in Action, 2009’s Extreme Movie, and the 2021 television special Scooby-Doo, Where Are You Now!​​​​​​​ — and other actors have played themselves in Marvel Studios’ Disney Plus series (such as Megan Thee Stallion in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law), so there’s precedent for the idea on many levels.

Having got into some kind of legal trouble, Lillard could be one of Matt Murdock’s clients — like Megan Thee Stallion was one of Jennifer Walters’ — and somehow get involved in a broader plot to maximize his talents. It would add some fun to the show, surprise Lillard’s fans pleasantly, and break the suspension of disbelief. Granted, this type of thing can feel gimmicky, but done right (which it likely would be with an actor like Lillard) it could add a lot to the show.

Someone Else Entirely (Hero? Villain? Who Knows?!)

Stilt-Man, Coyote, an original character? The truth is Lillard could be playing just about anyone.

Of course, given the huge number of characters from the source material Marvel Studios have at their disposal, Lillard might not be playing any of the above characters. He could be playing any number of minor villains from Daredevil lore, like Stilt-Man or Coyote, or even one of Daredevil’s little-known allies, or a new character entirely.

Just who will Matthew Lillard be playing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Fans will know for sure when the second season of Daredevil: Born Again premieres in early to mid-2026.

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