The Punisher, played by Jon Bernthal, and his fellow defenders are now officially canon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This news comes after the January 9, 2024 release of Marvel Studios Echo. The featured cameos of both Daredevil and Kingpin, two mainstays of Netflix’s Defenders saga.
Daredevil, The Punisher, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and Jessica Jones were among the street-level heroes featured in various Netflix shows as part of the Defenders saga. However, despite their popularity, the projects were canceled as part of Marvel’s effort to create a consistent MCU storyline across film and television.
But with the defenders back in MCU canon. Its only a matter of time before they once again appear on our screens. For instance, Marvel Studios has already confirmed that Frank Castle (The Punisher) will appear in the upcoming Daredevil Born Again. A Disney+ series which focuses on Charlie Cox’s Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin.
While commenting on this development in a recent interview with Collider, Bernthal discussed Frank’s future in the MCU. As well as his opinion on why so many people resonate with the character.
“I think there’s a reason why that character has resonated as deeply and strongly as he has,” the Punisher star said of Frank. “In the hearts and minds of comic book fans, first responders, 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 deeply about that character.”
Bernthal also added his thoughts on how to handle the character upon his return. “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.”
There is currently no official release date for Daredevil: Born Again. However, Vincent D’Onofrio (Wilson Fisk) recently revealed that filming will resume soon. Stating, “not long from now… in a few weeks, in fact.” For now, fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the return of Jon Bernthal’s Punisher.