The Defenders Rewrite Part 1 - Raising Hell and Hard Times

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Marvel/Netflix's The Defenders is one of the biggest missed opportunities in superhero tv/movies. A team up show that was somehow less than the sum of its parts.
So I would like to present an alternative. A Defenders Rewrite.
In this video, we focus on episodes 1 and 2 named Raising Hell and Hard Times. We look at the ordinary world, how things have changed, and how our heroes are going to solve the big problem in the future.
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Music by Epidemic Sound

[@hwoarangthedoorbell]

“You probably have someone who watched a season of Daredevil, maybe watched season 1 of Jessica Jones, started Luke Cage but didn’t finish it, and didn’t even check out Iron Fist” That’s pretty eerie how closely you described my experience with the NetFlix MCU.

[@therandominfochannel6619]

Mine too except I watched all of Daredevil haha

[@TheBlackSerpentBeta]

*Laughs in having watched everything chronologically proceeding the defenders*

[@VicEntity]

Same.

[@thesolidestsnake]

I watched all of them as I have no life

[@VicEntity]

@@thesolidestsnake as of right now I just finished Luke Cage, and there is only Jessica Jones left to finish

[@Khilkhameth]

Defendes WOULD have been a better name if it had ever been used in-universe. Even the last line, where Daredevil asks Iron Fist to protect his city - how difficult would it have been to make that line 'DEFEND my city'?

[@kerrychristensen7204]

👏

[@Stormtrooper-li1je]

👏

[@jogoz2263]

👏

[@reapermaster1233]

👏

[@JoeHoeDoesSomething]

👏

[@Alex-the-Dunster]

You need to be head writer for the “What If?” Cartoon

[@LoveReacts]

Bro yes

[@bae_ofpigz]

Or jus write for a What If? run, not unlike House of M Avengers or that other example.

[@TheMightyDuke197]

Thank you for shouting out The Batman. Not enough people talk about it

[@NandovMovies]

One of my favorite Saturday morning cartoons.

[@melissamay1012]

Bru same here!

[@elephantpowerproductions]

RIGHT!?

[@jamesadamsfl]

The Batman was fun. It just had the bad luck to be the show that came after Batman: the Animated Series. Would you like to be the follow-up act to Elvis?

[@batlord7690]

That show was amazing and it had an amazing theme song.

[@HxH2011DRA]

Bro you can't just leave me on a cliffhanger like that

[@NandovMovies]

Every episode from here one out ends on a pretty big cliffhanger.

[@HxH2011DRA]

@@NandovMovies OH BOY

[@NandovMovies]

Yeah I usually find it kinda exploitative, like on This is Us, but since the series would be bingable, I think it's just a great way to organize an episode. Like, it ends with a big change. Either characters get new information or make a big choice.

[@HxH2011DRA]

@@NandovMovies It's definitely a trope(?) I enjoy immensely when done well

[@NandovMovies]

@@HxH2011DRA exactly. It's a trope because it works. But then it becomes tacky when it's abused.

[@TheLyricalWrdsmth]

Genuinely, I think marvel should hire you as a script doctor.

[@MrxstGrssmnstMttckstPhlNelThot]

The Defenders have to face the worst villain of our modern age! *GENTRIFICATION!!!* Great rewrite. As always.

[@GeoD007]

I honestly don't know how the heck Nando managed to do it again! He took something that in the hands of a lesser writer would've turned into some boring piece of schlock. Leave it to Nando to take something as seemingly mundane as "gentrification" and make it a compelling theme around which to build conflict! The man is a freakin' prodigy! :D

[@Coolsomeone234]

Would be more realistic with modern day New York

[@charleslee8313]

Too bad you weren't gonna introduce Typhoid Mary in this revision of the Defenders -- you could have had "Mary, Mary" as an episode title. This was a brilliant video! I can't wait to see the next parts.

[@NandovMovies]

I HAD THIS EXACT THOUGHT

[@HxH2011DRA]

@@NandovMovies Great minds

[@bodhimind108]

@@NandovMovies So does that mean that you considered Typhoid Mary and she didn't fit; if so why not. I'm curious.

[@shonjones7231]

@@NandovMovies fools seldom differ

[@electricbayonet2]

22:40 The fact that I guessed where that scene was going didn't make it any less satisfying to hear the payoff. And already, it's abundantly clear why the Wrecking Crew would have been such a brilliant fit as foes for the Defenders. But instead, we got five kung fu guys (with the only variation being 'one is a lady and one is an _old_ lady') and an unlimited supply of useless ninjas.

[@vallaby2042]

Southern accent:🎤🎼 ,,Well, you can't have the action without the Ninjas!" 🎼

[@DeadpoolAli]

Ninjas that used guns and didn't dress like ninjas

[@electricbayonet2]

@@DeadpoolAli "Ninjas that used guns" Yeah, I mean...sometimes. They sometimes used guns. They usually didn't. In fact, if Luke Cage being the only bulletproof member of the group was a genuine plotpoint because of the high-volume number of guns among the enemy faction, that could be interesting. "and didn't dress like ninjas" This is objectively wrong, because they do dress like ninjas. They don't _always_ dress like ninjas, but how is that relevant?

[@K1ng1995]

What if the Defenders were being led by Tombstone, after Kingpin was taken to jail, he left a vacuum and Tombstone was showing up to take the crown

[@fangzntalonz]

@@K1ng1995 so why would he lead the Defenders then

[@yepimbatman]

Your method of describing how some people may have watched the series' leading up to Defenders is exactly my experience with those programs

[@mistermr.7830]

“...but in a perfect world, every episode of Defenders will share a title with a song from one of the quintessential rap groups from New York..” *Me: Please say Wu Tang, please say Wu Tang, please say Wu Tang, Please say Wu Tang* “Run DMC” *Me: *internal screaming* * Another great vid, Nando!

[@icefrout]

One problem I see is how your character arcs for Daredevil and Jessica Jones are looking way too close to their Season 3 arcs.

[@BDSilveira]

icefrout too bad we only got one of those 👀

[@RTXWill]

@@BDSilveira We didn't? Both Daredevil and Jessica Jones have 3 seasons lol.

[@The_Crimson_Witch]

I was going to say the exact same thing. By doing this arc for Daredevil in defenders, you take away from the masterpiece that was Daredevil season three.

[@distinguishedallureproduct879]

Hmmmm, I do agree that having Daredevil get back to Matt here would diminish DDS3, that is probably why Defenders was kind of bad because they were hands we're tied due to where their individual stories we're going...But I really do think that S3 still would have worked as is, especially if Matt Murdock arc in the defender is a prequel to Matt arc in Daredevil S3, especially how DDS3 starts off

[@TheGhostPanel]

You were so close with RUNDMC. But there’s another NYC group that, like the Defenders, spends long periods of time as solo artists while occasionally coming together for legendary mega-projects: Wu-Tang

[@ahmad55]

G P so there’d be an episode titled Method Man? Actually that could work if it’s close to the end and the episode is about the Defenders trying to save Method Man and others who are trapped in a radio station or something?

[@roscojenkins7451]

Ain't nothing to F with

[@westingtyler2]

@@ahmad55 or the episode called "Method Man" could just be about different defenders putting their plans into motion. Danny, Luke Cage, Murdock, making a plan. A policeman who sees the scene after ward could even say "there's a method to this madness" or something.

[@d-brothers3112]

I'm still not sold on replacing The Hand with The Wrecking Crew (I think they'd work so much better as She-Hulk villains), but you know what, I wasn't sold on The Legion of Doom in Justice League immediately but you managed to convince me otherwise by the end of the series, so I'm going to remain open-minded.

[@smou96]

Rewrite actually starts @ 4:03 if you want to skip the "I don't think I'm a better writer" shpiel

[@evanrobinson5682]

Luke Cage's new villain: Gentrification.

[@papajcina]

I think The Hand Shadowland storyline is a Season 3 plotline. In Season 1 they meet, in 2 they get closer, in 3 they are shattered, but by Season 3 more people are involved.

[@TheUltimate1337ful]

My Defenders S2 idea had the Hood gather together a bunch pf villains (Bullseye, Typhoid Mary, the Russian, etc.) to forge his own empire, so this threat could force the Defenders + Frank to get closer.

[@mawinstallation6626]

@@TheUltimate1337ful Yes!!!

[@harsh-oc3vk]

It warms my heart that you mentioned Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D as Jeph loeb also describes it as the flagship marvel show.

[@tomimpala]

Would love to see you take on a bad remakes like Robocop 2014 - Where you still have the PG13 restrictions, the cast and everything else, but have to make it into a success. That's just one example, just a Nando vs Bad Remakes series would be cool :)

[@lacidar3752]

Not Nando, but Robocop movies tend to be criticisms of what they themselves are. If it were me, I'd make the movie about trying to make Robocop more child-friendly to sell in-universe toys. PG-13 affords *some* blood and swearing (not much, but enough) so you can at least get what you need out of it.

[@tomimpala]

@@lacidar3752 aww that's a cool idea

[@tomimpala]

@@lacidar3752 You could have an actual board of execs looking at the original robocop suit and deciding how to make it more kids friendly and marketable; covering him in cotton wool and putting the Pepsi logo on his chest haha

[@NightmareproductionsOFFICIAL]

I like how Matt went in Defenders as he was. Idk tbh I just love how they took daredevil season 3 so I wouldn’t wanna waste it for Defenders 😂.

[@bobjuniorman5352]

When you first suggested the Wrecking Crew as villains for this series, I thought the idea was a bit ridiculous, but the way you integrate them into the story is pretty awesome. I’m loving this so far and can’t wait to see where it goes. This is what I wanted from the Marvel Netflix universe.

[@anketicable]

I can't wait to watch this, I've been curious about how you'd tackle this for a while.

[@k1ngk4gl3]

Not gonna lie... The moment you said "Run DMC, I was looking for "Hit Em Hard"... Hopefully the song plays during one of these non-existent episodes 👍

[@pirobomandias]

Finally somebody who recognizes the little easter eggs on episode names

[@yashaoftheflames8475]

DD: Who are you? Iron fist: I'm Danny Rand, the Immortal Iron Fist, Protector of K'un-Lun, Sworn Enemy of the Hand

[@tomimpala]

I love Nando's crisp voice. It works so well for this kind of content.

[@Ben10man2]

Absolutely

[@HiperPivociarz]

Anyone who worked on Earth's Mightiest Heroes is okay in my book

[@MaurienDenEngelsman]

Shame the last episodes were so overrushed 'cause of rights bullsjit..

[@HiperPivociarz]

@@MaurienDenEngelsman The Galactus finale kinda came out of nowhere, but otherwise it was alright

[@doodlebrain6594]

I must agree

[@MaurienDenEngelsman]

@@HiperPivociarz exactly that.. the rest was awesome.. it felt like a living universe.. that was awesome

[@lucaserocha6139]

@@MaurienDenEngelsman it wasn't overushed because of rights since it was owned and produced by Disney, they were supposed to have a third season to conclude everything, but Loeb wanted to make a different show with Avengers Assemble, so a new season wasn't greenlit

[@Crick1952]

I enjoyed all of Marvel Netflix and I'm already very happy with this re-write. The biggest thing that bothered me about the Hand being the big bad was that only Daredevil and Iron Fist had any real connection to them. I think your plan to save them for Defenders 2 and focusing on a smaller story (The Wrecking Crew) is a much beter concept.

[@justaguybehindacomputer9804]

Oh boy! Can wait to see more group shots in hallways!

[@SuperAlphabetagama]

Okay, wait then

[@TimdeVisser86]

Love love love it. Gentrification as the antagonist? That sets up so many interesting arcs and conflicts. And it's also the first time a superhero team really faces a problem like this, that many people can actually relate to.

[@PanAndScanBuddy]

There's a lot to praise here but I for one am happy for the return of the Mostly Nitpicking plug. It unites the videos.

[@perezortegavalentin9343]

So...using it correctly, the Hand is Defenders´s Mcguffin

[@Ben10man2]

Yup

[@UltimateLegoFan324]

You should do a rewrite on Kingsman The Golden Circle

[@cat5220]

Yes!!!! First movie was brilliant, second movie was..... alright.

[@mr.moviemafia]

I am never more disheartened than whenever you say “...and we’ll continue this is part 2” 😭

[@logan6034]

2:42 “A man For All Seasons” sure does look a lot like Superman 🤔

[@ontos8534]

Thats cause its a superman for all seasons

[@bloomindoom]

Really like how you tied all the citizen vs hero conflicts for each Defender into one storyline

[@archetypebuilds9929]

The Jeff Loeb defense opening here has not aged too well.

[@danielnes1344]

I absolutely loved how you give insight to who wrote it and what they have actually accomplished. Creds to you man :D (i really like defenders, but I totally see how this version could've been an improvement)

[@92alpha13]

Fun Fact: Down with the King was produced by Pete Rock and featured him and CL Smooth. The video is dope!

[@mattboy2313]

They could have just called it "Marvel: Knights" and not have the characters explicitly called "The Knights". It would just be cool name for the series that describes them as the "knights" of the MCU.

[@MakiPcr]

I'm hooked, more than with the actual Defenders

[@StormSage13]

My favorite quote from voice actor Crispin Freeman is "a critic points out what's wrong. An artist will tell you how to make it better." I've used that as a mantra of mine when dissect other films or shows to avoid just ripping into a show and calling it bad. It becomes a fun challenge in thinking about WHY something is bad and why something may work in another show or movie, but not this one. Exercises like this makes us more aware of our storytelling preferences and I feel makes us better storytellers. Learning from the pitfalls of other stories to make sure the next one is better. In the words of Groucho Marx, "learn from the mistakes of others. You'll never live long enough to make them all yourself."

[@jamrhein2]

I'm preferring your rewrite so far and I'm looking forward to hear the rest. That being said I think one little thing was neglected. Your introduction of Jessica and Luke. Last we saw them, if I'm recalling correctly, they weren't on speaking terms after Luke discovered Jessica killed Reva. I don't think that would so quickly be glossed over. Luke is stubborn and likely would have said something less like "thank you" and more like "I didn't ask for your help". I think they should start off on bad terms still. With Jessica still trying to fix things and Luke being abrasive. Which would also fit your intentions of catching everyone up who hasnt seen all the shows. We'd see that they have a history together and something bad happened that Luke is still upset about. Something they can patch through the episodes.

[@Champsr0ck2247]

IIRC Luke found out that Reva was somewhat using him in his S1, so with time and reflection Luke is more amiable with JJ. It's why there wasnt this tension in the real Defenders.

[@Champsr0ck2247]

@Greg Elchert Oh yeah, true

[@knifewieldingwomen]

jamrhein2 oh yeah nice observation

[@playstar2727]

Finally! You took so long with this and it’s been killing me to wait!!

[@coritrottman9699]

Bless this channel! We never asked for this videos but I'm so thankful for it. You have a true gift bro.

[@justincruz5720]

I love that the episodes from these shows have a certain theme. Daredevil’s was based on morality and the Devil, Jessica Jones was “AKA” to give that show that detective noir vibe, Luke is in Harlem, so all the episode titles had that hip-hop/funky vibe, and all the Iron Fist episode titles were named after fighting styles. Also 1:31. Yes, THAT show was part of my childhood.

[@anoutcast1185]

I love you! It brightens my soul when you fix something, and for long moments at a time, with every video, I think that I'm listening to the real thing. This Defenders rewrite is everything that I didn't know I wanted from this show! Just, Thank you, thank you so much bro!!!

[@mehansingh2979]

the new format seems interesting, can't say i favour it, though i am excited to see where your channel leads.

[@johng6950]

This must be what it was like to listen to serials on the radio decades ago...the anticipation... I didn't watch any of the Marvel Netflix shows and know only what I've seen from your videos....still absolutely riveted and can't wait for the rest!

[@lucasmonteiroo5512]

So epic, i just love your vision of the stories you write. Can't wait for the next part.

[@QNPMEDIA]

Loving this so far! I really like the idea of keeping the threat levels street level and keeping an eye on the working class people in the background of the show. That really is what made each of the series' special (especially Luke Cage and Jessica Jones)

[@NomisArchives]

Dude this is awesome just like all your videos. I also want to thank you for inspiring me to my own first script of justice league dark!

[@jimmydotzel]

I was about to correct you for calling him Joseph Loeb and not Jeph Loeb....but then I googled it and realized that Jeph is just a nickname for Joseph. The more you know.

[@luddsen8314]

The Wrecking Crew... why are they not in the MCU???? They’re awesome!!!

[@jasonpratt5126]

They were kind of set up and included in Spider-man Homecoming, very vaguely, as Vulture's crew. But yeah, could be a lot better.

[@platypus6810]

Jason Pratt nah the characters there were the Tinkerer and Shocker and some disposable goons

[@sheelavprakash9261]

Vicious Savage Thanos and The Black Order? Hela,Skurge and Grandmaster? Ego and Ayesha?

[@Kristian-jk2ww]

Vicious Savage Did you watch Captain America Winter Soldier? I’m pretty sure there is more than one.

[@queend9604]

@Vicious Savage Shocker and Vulture? Alexander Pierce and Winter Soldier? Ultron, Wanda and Quicksilver? Ghost and Sunny Berch? Zemo and Crossbones?

[@GeoD007]

@Nando v Movies, seriously, DC and Marvel should totally hire you! I've been watching your content for a while now, and you have NEVER failed to me knock it outta the park! I wasn't sold on The Defenders, but just watching your "prologue" video, convinced me to check out the rest, and what can I say? You didn't disappoint! Rock on!

[@PatrickCrosman]

i love these so much. thanks for making em, dude.

[@yourconscience1986]

I'm in. I'm ALL in. This sounds like an amazing story! I'll be waiting for part 2, you're doing great!

[@videovoidtv]

Man I love these rewrites. Thanks for all the work.

[@DakotaHighlander]

I’m a complete and total outsider to The Defenders, but after watching this video, I’m impressed! Easy to follow, intrigued by the nuances, and I’m interested in your next act!

[@warlock____]

Your a legend. Your a legend. YOU ARE LITERALLY MY FAVORITE KZbinR. YOU ARE EVERYTHING I HAVE EVER WISHED FOR. YOU LEGEND.

[@Tracer_Krieg]

I'd admit, I was a little hesitant about the Wrecking Crew being the villains of this show... but this has one me over.

[@Timberwolf410]

Loving the rewrite so far; loving how all the characters' arcs reflect and intersect with each other in some way. Can't wait to see the Defenders come together later. (:

[@RTXWill]

Honestly the Defenders show would've been better if it took place after DD season 3. If they did the same story from the comics from 2017 where it's all about stopping villains from becoming the new kingpin in his absence, it would've been a lot more enjoyable.

[@nobudgetreviewer]

Can’t wait to watch. This has been my most anticipated video of yours since you hinted at it in your New Years video. Btw love the new intro

[@HickoryXcailbur]

When you find the time, Part 2 pls. Loving your rewrite so far👍🏿

[@ThejollyFrenchman]

I really enjoyed that. Can't wait to see part 2.

[@ZackBellGames]

Great work, man. Can't wait to see where you end up in a few years.

[@sirat6728]

I enjoyed the Defender, can't say loved it as I agree with you on all the points you made in your previous video regarding Defenders.

[@zackbill603]

I've never been super interested in the Marvel Netflix shows, but now I'm considering watching them just to get more Nando content.

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

I'm REALLY excited to see how the group comes together.

[@mtp455]

Nando your rewrites are your best content easily and I wish your justice league one was the actual movie.

[@themusicalhayes]

I love that you’re doing this

[@gabrielgonzales5907]

Thank you for the disclaimer at the beginning of this video. A common thing said to someone who expresses an opinion is, "CAN YOU MAKE SOMETHING BETTER!?" This argument falls apart when considering that people who don't know how to write music have every right to express their opinion about music that they hear. I appreciate the thought experiments you apply to these movies and shows and look forward to seeing more of them.

[@slicknichobbs6296]

love your stuff man, keep it up

[@queend9604]

This has been a great rewrite so far, my one problem this is that episode 1 doesn't really have much happening, and would need to be interesting in order to get viewers invested. You could just combine episodes 1 & 2 as you did here, but then the daredevil focused episode would get pushed back to probably episode 4/5. Just something that bugs me a bit, mostly in the recaps.

[@curryj.424]

Man I love these series. They help so much with my writing!

[@nochannelmusician769]

I like the Run DMC idea but I think a better idea would be Wu Tang Clan for obvious reasons

[@agnostvelar]

The second reason for why he uses run DMC is absolutely hysterical. "Because theyre people. Like the defenders" and literally everyone else. I love yeah nando but oof. What a reason

[@bigSpidermanfan]

BeardyVerse Entertainment “group of people” as opposed to solo musicians

[@mawinstallation6626]

GROUP of people

[@rustyrobots426]

Great idea doing this a couple episodes at a time. I'm interested to see where you go with it.

[@k.rick_9993]

Can’t wait to watch this when I get home 🔥 Edit: I can't wait for Part 2!

[@tkb667]

Dude, this makes me hyped...

[@gonesnake2337]

I'm not a rap fan but when you said your music choice at 4:50 I was like, yep. That's exactly right.

[@Homemade123asd]

Clean and binge worthy. Nice

[@sterlingkart9562]

This is amazing...someone please give this man a job!!!

[@shabithesnail7016]

I f'ing love your videos Keep it up

[@SupaSayinSkitch]

1:20 Time out! As someone who has found all the Marvel shows fun and enjoyable (yes even iron fist and it's corperate sub-plot) and watched them start to finish. As much as I enjoy them, I'm afraid to admit they have flaws and several shows could've been far better with you (NandovM) in the writting room or involved somewhere in the writing procress. That's the wonderful thing about youtube and channels like this one. That reimagine and recreate films and shows and giving us another take on how the events could have gone down. Like a what if comic :) If you enjoy the original then you win! You got the live action already made and ready to be enjoyed! Everyone else has to use their imagination to enjoy a Defenders shows or a Justice League movie. And I Win Double because I get BOTH!!!! Muahahahahahahaha!!!!!! XD Thanks for the Great Work Nando! Keep it up!!! Please ^_^ (Edit) P.s. WB Hire this man!!!

[@unchainedfilms1328]

As someone who really loves the real defenders show I’m entering you videos with an open mind and really want to see where you go with this. As of video 1 I am leaning toward the show

[@arc4859]

I feel like this can be compressed in one episode or maybe an episode and a half.

[@dragonthunderx3250]

Can’t wait to see how things play out.

[@ihearyoupierce]

Been waiting for this

[@mr.delicious5738]

Fantastic change to the Wrecker, and amazing rewrite overall.

[@Khilkhameth]

Woo! Been waiting eagerly for thsi!

[@hotsauce0097]

This might be one of if not the best produced series You’ve made

[@tylerhart1917]

Love this series so far

[@jharmo2]

You know, this inspired me to do a rewrite of Iron Fist Season 1

[@NandovMovies]

Awesome! You should post it to the NVM subreddit. I'll keep a lookout for it.

[@jharmo2]

Thank you, I think I will. It will probably take 1-2 weeks

[@roccobrooks1133]

LOVE THE RUN DMC NAMING

[@brogeronimo7824]

love u and ur videos man❤❤

[@andershine]

Off topic, but... I can't express how meaningful Matt and Elektra's relationship was for me. I know it's all trope and cliche, but it just hit me very hard. The "I'm not free with anyone else but you" and "This is what living feels like" melts my icy heart every time.

[@BennyBigIron]

Nando you’re the best!

[@lugbzurg8987]

I was wondering how the heck you expected to fit characters who seemed so goofy as The Wrecking Crew into the gritty writing of The Defenders. Now it's starting to make sense.