Claim: Ben Affleck is a performer.

Daredevil is a 2003 American superhero film written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson . Based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name , the film stars Ben Affleck as Matt Murdock , a blind lawyer who fights for justice in the courtroom and out of the courtroom as the masked vigilante Daredevil . Jennifer Garner plays his love interest Elektra Natchios ; Colin Farrell plays the merciless assassin Bullseye ; David Keith plays Jack `` The Devil '' Murdock , a washed up fighter and Matt 's father ; and Michael Clarke Duncan plays Wilson Fisk , also known as the crime lord Kingpin .   The film began development in 1997 at 20th Century Fox and Columbia Pictures , before New Regency acquired the rights in 2000 . Johnson shot the film primarily in Downtown Los Angeles despite the Hell 's Kitchen , Manhattan setting of the film and comics . Rhythm and Hues Studios were hired to handle the film 's CGI . Graeme Revell composed the Daredevil score which was released on CD in March 2003 , whereas the various artists soundtrack album , Daredevil : The Album , was released in February .   Daredevil was released on February 14 , 2003 . It received generally mixed reviews from critics with many praising the action sequences , acting performances , its soundtrack , storyline and its visual style and stunts , while many negatively criticized its dramatic depth and commented that the film resembles a Greek tragedy . Despite its critical reaction , the movie became the second-biggest February release to that time and grossed over $ 179 million against production budget of $ 78 million .   A spin-off film , Elektra , was released in 2005 to critical and commercial failure .   In 2004 , an R-rated director 's cut of Daredevil was released , reincorporating approximately 30 minutes of the film , including a subplot involving a character played by Coolio . A sequel was planned , but because of Elektra '' 's failure , this was canceled . A television series -LRB- set in a different continuity -RRB- , Daredevil '' , by Netflix and Marvel Studios , followed , premiering in 2015 .