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Spoiler alert! This article contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine.
Summary

• Daredevil was a financial success and paved the way for modern superhero movies.
• Elektra, the spin-off, was a critical and financial flop.
• Garner's Elektra cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine redeemed her character and showcased better action scenes.

Despite the perceived failure of Ben Affleck’s Daredevil, Jennifer Garner was still bestowed a solo Elektra movie by 20th Century Fox. 2003’s Daredevil starred Affleck and Garner as Daredevil and Elektra, Marvel’s tragic lovers and vigilante duo. While many consider Daredevil to be a disappointment, including some of the stars themselves, it was nothing like spin-off Elektra, which boasts one of the worst reputations in superhero movie history – prompting speculation as to why it was ever made in the first place.
Daredevil and Elektra were produced by 20th Century Fox in the early era of Marvel movies. As such, they helped pave the way for the MCU timeline and the modern era of comic book movies. This legacy is celebrated by Deadpool & Wolverine, which honors the legacy of Fox’s Marvel movies. Deadpool & Wolverine bids farewell to Fox’s Marvel franchise, and in the process, has redeemed Garner’s catastrophic Elektra movie.
Daredevil Had A Strong Opening Weekend In 2003 & Recouped Its Budget Close Daredevil is often retrospectively considered a flop, but its initial performance was relatively successful. Despite its mixed reviews, Daredevil opened to a strong $40.5 million in its opening weekend – $45 million including President’s Day the following Monday. Daredevil went on to gross $179.1 million worldwide against a production budget of $78 million (via SlashFilm).
While these figures may not seem impressive by today's standards, especially when compared to the monumental successes of the MCU films, they were quite respectable at the time. Daredevil managed to earn back more than twice its budget, which is a key metric in determining a film's financial success. However, it is also not quite enough to justify a sprawling franchise.
The critics were equally vague, with an overall lukewarm reception for Daredevil. Many praised Daredevil for its gloomy tone and blend of humor and action. Others cited the central performances by Garner, Affleck, and Michael Clarke Duncan, along with a handful of specific scenes as notable highlights.
On the other hand, some unfavorable critics pointed to Daredevil’s tonal inconsistencies and lackluster execution. Ben Affleck himself has even stated that he hated Daredevil so much that it urged him to play Batman in the DCEU. Nevertheless, this minor success was enough to warrant some form of a sequel.
Fox Greenlit Elektra In Lieu Of Daredevil 2, But It Was A Bigger Flop Following the release of Daredevil, 20th Century Fox faced a decision regarding the future of the franchise. In 2004 Ben Affleck expressed willingness to return for a sequel only if it adopted a darker tone, which he noted would have required much negotiation (via IESB). Instead of proceeding with Affleck's plan for Daredevil 2, Fox opted to create a spin-off centered on Jennifer Garner’s Elektra.
Elektra was released in 2005.
Related Why Ben Affleck's Daredevil Cameo Was Cut From Elektra Ben Affleck shot a small cameo as Matt Murdock/Daredevil for 2005 spinoff Elektra, but here"s why it was trimmed out at the last minute.
Elektra quickly proved to be an even bigger flop than its predecessor. The film was met with overwhelmingly negative reviews, criticized for its bland plot, uninspired action sequences, and overall failure to capture the depth of its source material. Garner's performance, while praised for her effort, was not enough to save the film from its poorly constructed narrative and direction.
Financially, Elektra fared poorly at the box office, grossing only $56 million worldwide against a production budget of $43 million (via Box Office Mojo). This performance was a stark contrast to Daredevil and solidified the spin-off's status as a definitive failure. The film's unimpressive earnings and critical reception essentially extinguished hopes for a continuation of the Daredevil franchise.
Ben Affleck's stipulation for a darker sequel underscores a missed opportunity. A grittier, more mature Daredevil 2 could have potentially aligned better with the evolving tastes of superhero film audiences – who were beginning to embrace more complex and nuanced portrayals over mindless spectacle. The Daredevil franchise subsequently stalled until the triumphant Netflix series, which adopted the darker, grittier tone that Affleck had wanted for Daredevil 2.
What Jennifer Garner Has Said About Elektra Jennifer Garner has openly lamented her involvement in Elektra. She was unenthusiastic about the solo movie but was contracted to appear in a Daredevil sequel. She reportedly disliked the project from the outset and found the experience of making Elektra to be thoroughly unenjoyable. She is purported to have described the movie as “awful” while still in production and even encouraged her friends not to watch it (via SFGate).
In hindsight, Garner has reflected on the missed opportunities with both Daredevil and Elektra. She noted that had Daredevil been made under the auspices of the MCU, it might have been a vastly different and more successful endeavor. Garner pointed out that the involvement of Kevin Feige, the mastermind behind the MCU, has significantly elevated the quality and coherence of superhero films. Garner commented that:

It's such a shame, honestly, because once Kevin took over everything there was elevated: the writing, the direction, the comedy inside of the stories they were telling. And I did not have that experience.

Indeed, Feige's vision and leadership have been instrumental in crafting a cinematic universe that respects the source material and resonates deeply with audiences, something Daredevil and Elektra failed to achieve. Garner's reflections underscore the potential that was squandered in the early 2000s adaptations of Marvel properties. Her experience with Elektra serves as a cautionary tale about handling beloved comic book characters with the appropriate reverence.
How Jennifer Garner's Elektra Return In Deadpool & Wolverine Redeems Her Marvel Movie Flop Jennifer Garner's cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine is a major redemption for her solo movie Elektra. The cameo presented Elektra in a fresh light, offering a thrilling fight scene and much-improved action sequences that were absent in her standalone film. The dynamic and thrilling fight scene in the Void at the end of Deadpool & Wolverine was a standout moment. It was arguably the first decent follow-up to Garner’s iconic training montage in Daredevil set to Evanescence’s “Bring Me To Life.”
This new portrayal was more serious and stoic, aligning better with Elektra's character from the comics and providing a stark contrast to the solo movie's inconsistent tone. Garner's Elektra is showcased as a formidable and enigmatic figure, delivering a performance that emphasizes her lethal skills and complex personality. The fight scene in which she engages is meticulously choreographed, displaying her martial prowess in a way that the 2005 Elektra film failed to achieve.
Related Deadpool & Wolverine: 100 Marvel Easter Eggs & References Explained Deadpool & Wolverine quite literally has over 100 different Easter eggs, references, and cameos galore. Here are all the ones we found.
3 Moreover, the tone of Deadpool & Wolverine allowed Elektra's serious nature to shine. While the movie itself contains the trademark humor and irreverence associated with Deadpool, it frequently contrasts this against more stern characters. Elektra’s portrayal benefited immensely from this approach. Unlike her solo movie, which struggled with a childish tone that clashed with her character’s serious demeanor, Deadpool & Wolverine provided a cohesive environment where her stoicism felt natural and integral to the story. Indeed, Garner’s cameo proved what Elektra could have been.
Elektra Where to Watch stream rent buy Not available
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*Availability in US Elektra is a 2005 superhero film directed by Rob Bowman, featuring Jennifer Garner as the titular character, Elektra Natchios. The film follows Elektra, an assassin-for-hire who wrestles with her dark past and embarks on a journey of redemption. As she takes on a dangerous mission, she must confront powerful enemies and her deepest fears. Elektra is a spin-off from the 2003 film Daredevil, also starring Garner.
Deadpool & Wolverine A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
Sources: SlashFilm, IESB, Box Office Mojo, SFGate