Hell’s Kitchen is about to get a lot more crowded.
Marvel just dropped the teaser for Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, and while everyone is (rightfully) losing their minds over Krysten Ritter’s return as Jessica Jones and the apparent resurrection of Foggy Nelson, the internet’s eagle-eyed detectives have already hit pause on a frame that connects Matt Murdock’s world to last year’s Thunderbolts movie in a way that’s subtle, smart, and frankly, pretty genius.
The teaser, which premiered ahead of the March 24 premiere on Disney+, is packed with the usual gritty goodness—hallway fights, Wilson Fisk tightening his grip as mayor, and Charlie Cox back in action. But hidden in plain sight is a nod to the MCU’s most dysfunctional team that changes how we might view Fisk’s entire anti-vigilante agenda.
Here’s everything we spotted, what it means, and why this little Easter egg proves Marvel is finally playing the long game the right way.
The Easter Egg That Has Everyone Talking
Let’s get straight to it. About 45 seconds into the teaser, there’s a quick shot of what looks like a government document or task force briefing on a desk. The text is partially obscured, but if you freeze it just right, you can make out a familiar acronym: AVTF.
For the uninitiated, that stands for the Anti-Vigilante Task Force—the mayor’s special unit designed to hunt down costumed heroes operating outside the law in New York City. It’s the backbone of Fisk’s war on vigilantism in Season 2.
But here’s where it gets interesting. eagle-eyed fans on Reddit were quick to point out that the Thunderbolts movie, which hit theaters last year, featured a similar government program with an almost identical mandate. In that film, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s operation was all about controlling “unpredictable assets” under the guise of national security.
So what’s the connection? The teaser’s AVTF documents reportedly include language that mirrors the Thunderbolts charter, specifically regarding the classification of “enhanced individuals” and the protocols for their “containment.” It’s a direct line connecting Fisk’s mayoral crusade to the broader governmental paranoia about superheroes that Thunderbolts explored .
Wait, Does This Mean Thunderbolts Happened in the Same New York?
Now, here’s where it gets a little messy—but in a fun, “this is a shared universe” kind of way.
If you saw Thunderbolts, you know that the team’s final battle against the Void wreaked some serious havoc in Midtown Manhattan. We’re talking massive property damage, civilian panic, and a giant cosmic anomaly opening up near Grand Central Station. So, logically, you’d think Mayor Fisk would have something to say about that, right?
According to comments from Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige, don’t expect Season 2 to directly reference the Thunderbolts climax. In a recent interview, Feige explained that the MCU is moving toward a model where films and TV shows can coexist without feeling like mandatory homework. “We want each project to stand on its own,” he said .
But that doesn’t mean the events didn’t happen. Director Jake Schreier previously addressed the perceived continuity gap, noting that the Thunderbolts finale unfolded over a matter of hours. “It happens so fast that those questions of martial law…it’s all within an afternoon,” he explained .
So here’s the likely scenario: The Void attack gave Fisk the political ammunition he needed to double down on his anti-vigilante rhetoric. He can point to the chaos and say, “See? This is what happens when unchecked individuals operate without oversight.” The AVTF isn’t a direct response to the Thunderbolts—it’s the next logical step in a world where enhanced people keep leveling city blocks.
More Than Just a Nod: What This Means for the Story
This Easter egg isn’t just fan service. It actually deepens the stakes for Season 2.
Fisk’s AVTF has been described as his own personal version of the Thunderbolts—but with a twist. In the comics, Fisk eventually forms his own team of villains to hunt down heroes. The teaser suggests the MCU is heading in a similar direction, with Wilson Bethel’s Bullseye seemingly operating with some level of official sanction .
The connection to Thunderbolts also raises the question: Is Valentina watching Fisk? Is she backing him? The movie left us with the Thunderbolts rebranded as the “New Avengers” and operating out of the former Avengers Tower. If Fisk is building his own task force, that sets up a fascinating turf war between two government-sanctioned programs with very different leadership styles.
One is run by a shadowy intelligence operative with a flair for manipulation. The other is run by a man who will literally slam a car door on your head if you disappoint him. You do the math on which one feels more stable.
Jessica Jones and the Defenders Connection
Of course, the Thunderbolts Easter egg isn’t the only reason fans are buzzing. The teaser confirms that Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones is back, and she’s bringing the same snark and super-strength we fell for a decade ago .
Her presence in the trailer—dragging an injured Matt Murdock through what looks like an active crime scene—adds another layer to this whole “government vs. vigilantes” theme. Jessica has always operated in the gray areas. She’s not a hero in the traditional sense; she’s a private investigator who happens to be able to punch through walls. Fisk’s AVTF would absolutely classify her as a target.
The teaser hints at a hallway fight sequence featuring both Matt and Jessica taking on Fisk’s forces, which is essentially the team-up we’ve wanted since The Defenders . And if the AVTF is modeled on Thunderbolts protocols, that means they’re not just fighting cops—they’re fighting a system designed by people who’ve studied enhanced individuals for years.
The Foggy Question Mark
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Elden Henson’s Foggy Nelson appears in the teaser, despite his character seemingly being killed off in Season 1’s premiere .
Is it a flashback? Was his death faked? The showrunner has remained coy, but the leading theory is that Foggy went into hiding after the assassination attempt, and the “death” was a setup to protect him. If that’s true, his return could provide Matt with the emotional anchor he’s been missing—and give Fisk one more reason to tighten the screws.
Why This Matters for the MCU’s Future
For years, Marvel has been criticized for making its Easter eggs feel like homework. You’d spot a reference, but it wouldn’t actually mean anything for the story you were watching. The Thunderbolts nod in the Daredevil teaser feels different.
It’s not a flashy name-drop or a cameo. It’s a piece of world-building that suggests the MCU’s street-level characters are all living through the same historical moment. The chaos of Thunderbolts informs the paranoia of Born Again. Fisk’s rise doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it happens in a city that’s been traumatized by one too many super-powered brawls.
That’s good storytelling. It’s connective tissue that doesn’t require a flowchart to understand.
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The Bottom Line
Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 hits Disney+ on March 24, and if the teaser is any indication, we’re in for something special. The return of Jessica Jones, the mystery of Foggy’s survival, and the looming shadow of Bullseye would be enough on their own. But the Thunderbolts Easter egg adds a layer of political intrigue that elevates the whole premise.
Fisk isn’t just a crime boss anymore. He’s a mayor with a mandate, a task force, and a grudge. And thanks to Thunderbolts, we know exactly what happens when the government decides that heroes are the problem.
Now the only question is: Can Matt Murdock save his city without losing himself in the process?
What do you think? Are you excited to see Jessica Jones back in action? And do you think Foggy’s return is a flashback or the real deal? Drop your theories in the comments—we’re reading everything.
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