The Punisher Is Back: Jon Bernthal Enters the MCU as a Bloodied Frank Castle in New Daredev

September 2024 · 4 minute read

Jon Bernthal is back playing Frank Castle (aka Punisher) on the set of “Daredevil: Born Again,” new set photos from which have the character paired up with Charlie Cox’s eponymous hero and soaked in blood. The Disney+ series is now filming in New York City. Bernthal debuted as Frank Castle in Netflix’s “The Punisher” series, which aired for two seasons and 26 episodes between 2017 and 2019.

“Daredevil: Born Again” is bringing back a handful of actors from Netflix’s Marvel series. In addition to Cox and Bernthal, also set to appear in the series are Deborah Ann Woll (Karen Page), Elden Henson (Franklin “Foggy” Nelson), Wilson Bethel (Benjamin Poindexter/Bullseye) and Vincent D’Onofrio (Kingpin). The show officially brings all these characters into the proper Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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Bernthal hasn’t played the Punisher since his Netflix series was canceled in 2019 after Season 2 debuted. A gritty and beloved character from the Marvel comics, the Punisher is a decorated U.S. soldier who returns from combat only for his family to be brutally murdered. He sets out on a quest for vengeance with a whole lot of guns and ammunition. How the character factors into the “Daredevil: Born Again” plot remains to be seen. Story details remain under wraps.

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“Daredevil: Born Again” has been through a bit of a development rollercoaster. The series parted ways with head writers Chris Ord and Matt Corman last October while the production was shut down amid the SAG-AFTRA strike. Marvel also released the directors for the remaining episodes of the season as it decided to take “Born Again” in a new creative direction despite half of the series’ 18-episode order already being shot. Only some elements of pre-existing material is expected to be used in the final cut of the show.

Dario Scardapane, who wrote and executive produced Bernthal’s “The Punisher” series, stepped in to serve as the new “Born Again” showrunner a few weeks after Ord and Corman’s exit. The duo are still being credited as executive producers. Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead — who directed on Marvel’s “Moon Knight” and “Loki” Season 2 — were added as directors. It’s unclear whether or not the original 18-episode order remains.

“Daredevil: Born Again” does not yet have a release date set for Disney+. Check out set photos from the new series below.

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