An exciting character return to the MCU could finally set up adamantium in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (and it’s not the X-Men’s Wolverine).
The exciting return of Bullseye can easily set up the debut of adamantium in the MCU. A fictional metal rivaling Waknda’s vibranium in its strength and power, adamantium is most commonly associated with Wolverine as it was used to cover the popular mutant’s bone skeleton and claws. However, adamantium also has connections to Bullseye, a key villain who’s set to return in Daredevil: Born Again.
It’s recently been reported that actor Wilson Bethel will reprise his role as the villain Bullseye in Daredevil: Born Again. Last seen in the finale episode of Daredevil season 3, Benjamin “Dex” Poindexter was in bad shape and undergoing a major experimental surgery, though the character’s reported return suggests that the operation was successful along with the tease that he was meant to fully evolve into Bullseye in the Daredevil season 4 that never was. To that end, Bullseye’s return could also be adamantium’s debut in the MCU, having key setup for the future and even Wolverine himself.
How Bullseye Returning For Daredevil: Born Again Sets Up The MCU’s Adamantium
Dex’s Doctor And Experimental Surgery
Having been corrupted by Kingpin in Daredevil season 3 when he was still an FBI agent, Dex agreed to impersonate Daredevil for Wilson Fisk, killing several innocents using his skills as a lethally gifted marksman while wearing Matt Murdock’s stolen costume (a ploy to turn public opinion against Murdock). However, Dex sought revenge on Fisk once the real Daredevil revealed how much Kingpin had been manipulating Dex’s fragile mental state behind the scenes. This led to a major confrontation between Dex, Kingpin, and Daredevil, one that saw Kingpin breaking Dex’s spine in the final episode of Daredevil season 3.
In the Netflix show’s final scene, it was revealed that Dex agreed to a highly experimental surgery to repair his spine. This was conducted by Doctor Kenji Oyama, known in the original comics as Lord Dark Wind. On the page, Dark Wind infused adamantium into Bullseye’s similarly broken spine, restoring his ability to walk while also making him stronger. To that end, this adamantium process was later used to a greater extent by Weapon X and their work with Wolverine.
As seen in the MCU, Oyama believed he could repair Dex’s damaged spine using “cogmium steel”, another fictional Marvel metal connected to Iron Fist comics. With the assumption that Bullseye’s surgery and bio-enhancement will be referenced in Daredevil: Born Again, adamantium could easily be swapped out for cogmium now that Marvel Studios owns the rights to Wolverine and the X-Men franchise (they didn’t at the time of Daredevil season 3’s release). Perhaps cogmium was Oyama’s first attempt before finding success with adamantium, allowing the show to better mirror the comics.
Adamantium Could Play A Larger Role In The MCU Phase 5 & 6
A New Arms Race To Rival Vibranium?
There have been persistent rumors regarding the MCU’s Phases 5 and 6 with the idea that adamantium could make its debut well before Wolverine. After all, Wakanda and Talokan’s vibranium resources have become a point of global conflict as seen in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Furthermore, the national tensions have likely only just begun.
It’s been suggested that certain films such as Captain America: Brave New World and Marvel’s Thunderbolts may feature significant arcs involving vibranium and adamantium’s debut in the MCU as a rival and equally coveted substance several nations will want to get their hands on. Seeing as how Daredevil: Born Again is supposed to release the same year as both the aforementioned MCU movies, it’s quite possible that Bullseye’s surgery and connection to adamantium could tie in as well.
How The MCU Might Already Be Setting Up Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine Replacement
Bullseye’s Surgery Could Connect To Weapon X
It’s quite possible that the continuation of Bullseye’s story in Daredvil: Born Again could serve as some critical setup for Weapon X and Wolverine much later down the line for the MCU. While Hugh Jackman will be returning as Wolverine in Deadpool 3, it will be in a multiversal context rather than Jackman’s Logan being the primary Wolverine of the MCU’s Earth-616. Instead, a new actor will likely play Wolverine in the future, one whose origins could begin with Bullseye’s experimental surgery, the precursor to his own adamantium experimentation at the hands of Weapon X.
