Is The Hand from ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ the Same Villains from ‘Daredevil’?

Marvel fans entered ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ anticipating thrilling web-slinging action, but were instead treated to a surprising reunion with ‘Daredevil’. The ninja assassins known as The Hand made their appearance, prompting longtime viewers to question if this was the same group that plagued Matt Murdock throughout two seasons of streaming television.

The short answer is yes, and the way Marvel has approached this connection hints at exciting developments for the franchise’s future.

The Hand has always had a strong association with Daredevil, more than any other hero in the Marvel Universe. Elektra’s ongoing battles with them only reinforce this link, as she remains primarily a supporting character in Daredevil’s story. This history is precisely why fans reacted so passionately when The Hand appeared in Peter Parker’s storyline.

In the comics, The Hand operates as a ninja clan and a pseudo-religious group that worships a demon known as the Beast. Various factions, such as the Fist and the Chaste, have battled to contain this evil over the years, but Daredevil has consistently been their most formidable adversary.

Spider-Man also faces off against The Hand, a group of ninjas that previously served as villains in Netflix’s ‘Daredevil’ series. This shared history makes their reappearance feel less like a random cameo and more like a continuation of a long-standing rivalry.

The Hand plays a significant role in the new film, rather than just a fleeting reference. They confront Spider-Man after he discovers that his enemy Metzger had been deceiving him all along. In a surprising twist, Spider-Man manages to defeat them, achieving something even Daredevil struggled with in the past.

This iteration of The Hand is not supported by the demon that typically enhances their powers in the comics. Spider-Man also experiences a power boost due to his DNA mutation during the story. Even with this context, defeating one of Daredevil’s most dangerous adversaries solo is a notable achievement for Peter.

The Hand’s presence is accompanied by other unmistakable references to Matt Murdock’s universe throughout the film. The Punisher, who has strong ties to Daredevil’s Netflix and Disney Plus era, makes a direct appearance, while Sheila Rivera also returns briefly, a character last seen in ‘Daredevil Born Again’ Season 2.

Despite heavily drawing from Matt Murdock’s rogues’ gallery, ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ does not feature Daredevil at all, nor is he mentioned. Charlie Cox has consistently denied involvement in the film, and this time, his denials proved to be accurate.

Spider-Man takes on The Hand entirely by himself in this film, without any help from Matt’s side of New York.

This decision is significant given how intertwined the rest of the film is with ‘Daredevil’ lore, including the political ramifications of the vigilante ban depicted in ‘Daredevil Born Again’ Season 2, which the new mayor’s appearance in Brand New Day subtly acknowledges without explicit explanation.

Interestingly, a scene featuring Rosario Dawson’s Claire Temple was filmed for the movie but ultimately cut. This detail suggests that Marvel considered creating an even stronger connection between the two properties before deciding to scale back for this release.

With ‘Daredevil Born Again’ already renewed for a third season, insiders indicate that casting calls are underway for Asian warriors, which many fans interpret as a sign that The Hand will return in Matt Murdock’s own show. This makes sense, especially since the group has just reemerged on the big screen with a more comic-accurate depiction, and it would be unusual for Marvel to reintroduce them so prominently without eventually sending them after their primary nemesis.

Set photos have also hinted at the return of Iron Fist, Elektra Natchios, Luke Cage, and Jessica Jones, all converging in the upcoming season, which aligns perfectly with a larger Hand-centered storyline and the potential reassembly of the Defenders. Claire Temple’s long-anticipated return is reportedly part of that plan as well, which may clarify why her scene was omitted from Brand New Day in the first place.

For now, Peter Parker can celebrate a victory over one of Daredevil’s most formidable foes, while Matt remains on the sidelines, at least until Season 3 provides him the opportunity to confront this rivalry. Do you believe Daredevil needs to face a fully powered version of The Hand in his own show to truly resolve this conflict?