The Punisher's Confirmed Spinoff After Daredevil: Born Again Proves My Biggest Sequel Dream Can Still Become Reality
The Punisher returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Daredevil: Born Again, but that will not be the last we see from Jon Bernthal's Frank Castle. I'm a huge fan of Netflix's The Defenders Saga. One of the biggest surprises I had with the Marvel shows was how Bernthal's Punisher was simply so good that he made it necessary to add The Punisher series to the original plan for the Defenders heroes. On top of that, Bernthal's portrayal of Frank Castle was so electric that he became the second most popular hero in the franchise behind Charlie Cox's Daredevil.
The duo's chemistry in Daredevil season 2 stands as one of the best between live-action Marvel heroes. That is why I'm so excited to finally see them back together soon as part of Daredevil: Born Again's cast. When I heard Bernthal was coming back as the Punisher, I instantly knew that we would be seeing more from him beyond the show, as the Punisher is just ripe for appearances in future MCU movies and series. What I did not anticipate was that it would happen so soon, nor the way Marvel would go about it.
Jon Bernthal Is Working On A Punisher Special Presentation
Marvel Studios Is Bringing Back The Phase 4 Format
Just before Bernthal returns to the MCU to play a key role in Daredevil: Born Again as Frank Castle, major news about the Punisher has come out. According to multiple reports, Jon Bernthal is developing a Punisher Special Presentation for Disney+. The fact that Bernthal is co-writing the Punisher special is quite exciting, as the actor has talked about in interviews since the Netflix show ended that Frank Castle is near and dear to his heart and that he would want the character's story to be special if he were to come back.
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With Bernthal being one of the writers alongside his We Own This City director Reinaldo Marcus Green, who will also direct the Punisher Special Presentation, I don't think the project could have been in better hands. I believe Marvel has done a good job with that format so far, as The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and Werewolf by Night were both very good in different ways. As such, the format could allow Bernthal to tell a thrilling Punisher story that packs a punch. The Punisher special will be released in 2026, alongside Daredevil: Born Again season 2.
I Need Bernthal To Get A New The Punisher Series
Frank Castle Deserves A Longer MCU Project
The Punisher might seem like a straightforward character to some, with most of his appearances being action-first, but there can be incredible depth to the anti-hero. That is why I loved Netflix's The Punisher and the character's role in Daredevil season 2. The Defenders Saga allowed Bernthal to peel back the layers of the character, showing a more vulnerable side of Frank Castle that I haven't really seen in his other live-action portrayals. While I trust Bernthal to bring that same kind of story out in the Punisher Special Presentation, a new Punisher series would be ideal.
The Punisher is a strong supporting character, as seen in Daredevil season 2, so I'm okay with Frank playing that role in Daredevil: Born Again. However, he has all the necessary elements to be a star of the MCU's street-level corner, and I hope that 2026's Punisher Special Presentation is not the only project Bernthal gets to lead in his Frank Castle return. With Marvel Studios now developing the character, there are so many exciting possibilities for who he could interact with in a new Punisher series. Seeing how he operates in a world full of heroes would be interesting.
How The Punisher’s Special Presentation Could Pave The Way For More Defenders Returns
The MCU's Street-Level Corner Is Expanding
I'm convinced that Marvel Studios is building up the MCU's street-level corner for a big event that pulls from Marvel Comics' Devil's Reign. In that story, Kingpin became New York's mayor, as he is doing now in the MCU, and outlawed street-level vigilantes like the Punisher, Daredevil, and Spider-Man. To make the most out of that story, Marvel would need to bring back Netflix's Defenders. Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Iron Fist could all add different elements to such an event. I think the Punisher's Special Presentation shows a way for the characters to return to the MCU.
Since Netflix's Daredevil was the only one of the Defenders' series to have every season be well-received, I think the others could more or less follow the Punisher's lead and return through Special Presentations. Marvel's Head of Streaming, Brad Winderbaum, has revealed that the studio is exploring possible Defenders returns. They could all get Special Presentations that reintroduce them to the MCU. Luke Cage's criminal turn could be explored, with Marvel showing how Jessica Jones' P.I. business works in a comic-book-y, and Iron Fist found himself. If The Punisher special is a hit, the Defenders could be next in line.
The Punisher
- Release Date
- 2017 - 2019-00-00
- Network
- Disney Channel
- Showrunner
- John Romita Sr.
- Directors
- Mark Goldblatt, Lexi Alexander
- Writers
- Gerry Conway
Cast
- Franchise(s)
- Marvel Cinematic Universe
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