The last time Marvel stars Charlie Cox and Joe Locke crossed paths, they found themselves in line for a Disneyland ride. This was after showcasing their respective shows—”Daredevil: Born Again” and “Agatha All Along”—at the biennial D23 Expo in Anaheim. Their conversation, filled with mutual admiration and reflections on their journeys, offers an insightful look into the world of Marvel and the personal transformations that come with it.
“I just remember your son was wearing a Daredevil T-shirt, and it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” Locke remarked to Cox. The sentiment was reciprocated as Cox shared, “My son thinks I’m a superhero. I FaceTime with him when I’m in the full costume, which is quite sweet. And the look on his face, his eyes just wide.”
The Return of Daredevil and New Beginnings
Charlie Cox’s return as Matt Murdock, the blind attorney who transforms into the vigilante Daredevil, marks a significant moment in his career. It has been a decade since he last donned the suit on Netflix’s “Daredevil,” and now he reprises this iconic role for Disney+. Meanwhile, Joe Locke emerges as a breakout star in Marvel’s “Agatha All Along,” playing a mysterious character named Billy, alongside his role in Netflix’s “Heartstopper.”
Cox expressed his admiration for Locke’s work: “What’s interesting watching ‘Heartstopper’ and ‘Agatha’ is how you go from a set with presumably a lot of people for whom it’s their first job onto a set with veterans, left, right and center. What was that experience like?”
Locke admitted, “Terrifying but amazing. I did 12 auditions for ‘Agatha.’ I remember getting the first tape. I didn’t even know what it was at that point. It was just ‘Untitled Marvel Show.’ Before they gave me the part, I was like, ‘If I don’t get it…’”
Challenges and Transformations
Both actors have faced unique challenges in their roles. For Cox, returning to the physically demanding role of Daredevil after several years was daunting. “My body is not what it was, so the recovery time takes a little bit longer,” he shared. “But I’m so aware of there being a shelf life on how long you get to play a part that has not only beautifully written scene work but also fully developed characters and relationships.”
Locke, on the other hand, is navigating the industry as a young actor eager to diversify his roles. “At the moment, a lot of the auditions I get sent are for the same skinny gay twinks—which is great. And I’m really good at playing that, because I am a skinny gay twink,” he joked. “I’m struggling now because I want to do the opposite of that. I’ve been trying to put on weight recently. I just can’t do it.”
“I remember when I got ‘Daredevil,’ I was 160 pounds, which is not tiny, but it’s way less than I weigh now. They needed me to put on significant muscle quite quickly, and it was really hard.” — Charlie Cox
Marvel’s Expanding Universe and Representation
The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand, and with it, the opportunities for diverse storytelling. Cox and Locke discussed the importance of representation in their roles. “When you first start working in this industry, you get cast very close to who you are,” Cox explained. “As you work more and more, the industry allows you to try more things. Daredevil is a really good example of that for me.”
Locke echoed this sentiment, expressing his desire to avoid being typecast. “I’m really grateful that I’ve been able to play loads of great queer characters, but I don’t want that to define my career.” He cited actors like Colman Domingo as inspirations for their diverse casting choices.
“The whole point of representation is to change people’s opinions about things. You can’t do that without positive representation where it’s just a part of them.” — Joe Locke
The Future of Marvel and Its Stars
As the Marvel universe continues to grow, both actors are optimistic about their futures. Cox, who once thought his time as Daredevil had ended, is now embracing the unexpected opportunity to return. “I was absolutely shocked. It was the middle of COVID. I was in the garden, and my phone rang. I hadn’t heard from anyone from Marvel for two years at least,” he recalled.
Locke, meanwhile, is excited about the possibilities ahead, both within and outside the Marvel universe. “I feel very cool to be a slight part of this huge thing,” he said, acknowledging the passionate fan base that supports their work.
Their conversation at Disneyland was more than just a chance meeting; it was a reflection of their journeys and the evolving landscape of entertainment. As they continue to navigate their careers, both actors remain committed to pushing boundaries and embracing new challenges.
