The Punisher is coming back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2024’s Daredevil: Born Again.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is now in Phase 5, the second chapter of The Multiverse Saga. As the franchise expands, new faces and old favorites are coming into the fold. A recent report from The Hollywood Reporter revealed that The Punisher is another fan favorite coming back to the MCU.
The Punisher is one of Marvel’s most beloved antiheroes, perhaps second only to Deadpool in terms of sheer popularity. Frank Castle was a soldier whose wife and children were murdered by criminals in New York City. Castle embarks on a never-ending quest of revenge and warfare in the wake of their deaths, becoming The Punisher. The Punisher murders his enemies, and feels no remorse for taking out the trash.
THE PUNISHER: JUDGE, JURY AND EXECUTIONER
His approach to lethal justice routinely causes conflict with more morally upstanding heroes in the Marvel universe, such as Daredevil. Jon Bernthal portrays Frank Castle/The Punisher in the MCU. He first appeared in Daredevil Season 2, before spinning off into a solo-series which ran for two phenomenal seasons before cancellation.
In Daredevil Season 2, Daredevil and Punisher initially fought one another as enemies, before eventually becoming more like allies. Matt Murdock, Karen Page and Foggy Nelson worked to save Frank Castle through the legal system, while Daredevil worked as a fellow vigilante. The trial of “The People Vs. Frank Castle” still holds the crown for best Marvel courtroom scene, and it is unlikely to lose that distinct honor.
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Although Daredevil never appeared in The Punisher, Karen Page appears multiple times on Frank’s show. The THR report announcing the return of Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle suggests that Karen and Foggy will not be involved in Daredevil: Born Again. If true, this creative decision is a baffling, disappointing, wasted opportunity given the delightful complexity of Karen’s relationship with both Frank Castle and Matt Murdock.
THE PUNISHER: HOW MANY EPISODES WILL HE APPEAR IN?
Daredevil: Born Again will run for a massive 18 episodes, making it the MCU TV show with the most episodes per season, second only to Agents Of Shield. It is unclear how many episodes Jon Bernthal will appear in, or what function Frank Castle will play in the story. Daredevil: Born Again is a loose adaptation of the Marvel comic book storyline of the same name.
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The Punisher did not appear in that comic book, which focused centrally on the conflict between Kingpin and Daredevil. Vincent D’Onofrio is also confirmed to return as Wilson Fisk/Kingpin in Born Again. His character was last seen in Hawkeye, where he appeared to be murdered by his adopted daughter, Maya Lopez AKA Echo. Apparently he survived, because D’Onofrio will also star alongside Alaqua Cox (Echo) and Charlie Cox in Echo, an upcoming MCU Disney+ series.
WILL THE PUNISHER APPEAR IN ECHO AS WELL?
There is a rumor going around that Daredevil is searching for Frank Castle during the events of Echo. The credibility of this rumor is unclear, and an appearance from The Punisher in Echo seems improbable at the time of writing, but it is not out of the question.
Jon Bernthal displayed his incredible passion for the character and his excitement about the announcement via a tik-tok video. Bernthal walks into a house, moving past a large Punisher logo while The Punisher theme song plays. Frank Castle is finally back, and who knows what he might do next!
How have the years changed Castle since we last saw him? Will he be a friend or foe to The Devil of Hell’s Kitchen in Daredevil: Born Again? Let us know your hopes and dreams for the Punisher’s return to the MCU in the comments below or on our social media!
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Source: The Hollywood Reporter
