Jon Bernthal Will Return as ‘The Punisher’ If “It’s Done Right”
Jon Bernthal is ready to return to the small screen as The Punisher – but only if Frank is given his due.
The new show focused on Matt Murdoch and his street-level justice was announced in 2022. Dare Devil: Born Again has gone through some significant changes since then. Six of the planned eighteen episodes were filmed when production was halted by the strikes. The studio took the time to take a closer look at the show and how it was being run. The initial writing team of Matt Corman and Chris Ord was replaced with showrunner Dario Scardapane (who worked on Netflix’s The Punisher). Scardapane wrote nine new episodes.
Studio head Kevin Feige changed the tone of the whole show to be in line with the Netflix shows rather than Marvel’s Phase Five. Vincent D’Onofrio has mentioned that the show has been moved to the Marvel Spotlight banner – like Echo.
I don’t think any of this is bad news. There’s no need to link this to the wider Marvel plot arc (which is a total mess at this point), and the Netflix shows were a hit with fans. Going back to that is a good idea.
Jon Bernthal’s Punisher
In a recent interview with Collider, the actor spoke about The Punisher’s possible return to the small screen.
“I think there’s a reason why that character has resonated as deeply and strongly as he has. In the hearts and minds of comic book fans and first responders and people in the military and people all over the globe.
“I think there’s a little bit of Frank Castle in everybody. He exists very strongly inside me and I care about that character deeply. I also know that it’s absolutely essential that if we do it, we do it right and we have real sacred integrity to the source material and to what is at the core of Frank. I’m gonna do my absolute best to make sure that, if and when we do it, we do it right.”
I am a big fan of Bernthal’s turn as Frank and would love to see him in Daredevil: Born Again or another solo series. He understands the character in a way other actors have not – and based on this, he’s willing to go to bat with the studio to make sure Frank is handled correctly.
Daredevil: Born Again Casting Rumors
Initially, Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Alaqua Cox were attached to the project. As well as newcomers Margarita Levieva, Sandrine Holt, Nikki James, and Michael Gandolfini. As far as anyone knows, they’re still starring in the series.
There have been rumors of the return of other cast members. Namely Elden Henson and Deborah Ann Woll. Based on an Instagram post and this interview, Bernthal is still on board. Hopefully, Marvel will put out an official statement on the accuracy of this soon.
