Jon Bernthal’s Punisher Returns in 2026 Marvel Special Presentation!

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Summary

  • Jon Bernthal’s return as The Punisher in Daredevil: Born Again episode excites fans.
  • Marvel Studios plans a Special Presentation starring Frank Castle in 2026.
  • Frank Castle is most effective in shorter narratives or as a supporting character.

Last week, Jon Bernthal’s character Frank Castle, also known as The Punisher, made a comeback in the Marvel Cinematic Universe through the fourth episode of “Daredevil: Born Again,” titled “Sic Semper Systema.” Since his last appearance in the role during the final season of “The Punisher” on Netflix in 2019, fans have been eagerly waiting for his return, and their excitement was palpable.

The team-up between Charlie Cox’s Daredevil and Jon Bernthal’s Punisher onscreen has always been a delight to Marvel fans, and seeing them together again is a source of joy. With Bernthal still involved with the character, there’s lots for enthusiasts to anticipate in the future. However, some vocal online fans have been urging Marvel Studios to restart the Punisher series entirely. Unfortunately for these fans, Marvel Studios has devised an alternative plan that promises more for the MCU’s Frank Castle.

Towards the end of February, it was revealed that Marvel Studios was moving forward with another Special Presentation, this time centered around the well-known anti-hero, Frank Castle. For those who may not know, Marvel has only produced two Special Presentations for their streaming service Disney+ so far (Werewolf by Night and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, both released in 2022). Fans initially hoped for multiple smaller projects featuring lesser-known characters each year. However, due to declining interest and budget constraints, Marvel Studios had mostly abandoned this idea… until now. The Punisher is expected to headline his own Special Presentation, set to be released in 2026.

The Punisher Isn’t Exactly The Easiest Marvel Character To Write For

Fans of “The Punisher” TV show might find this hard to accept, but it seems that Frank Castle thrives in shorter narratives or as a secondary character. This notion can be supported by looking at his comic book series. Many of the most cherished Punisher tales in Marvel Comics are limited series or standalone stories. Titles like “Punisher: The Cell”, “Punisher: Barracuda”, “Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe”, “Punisher: Born”, and even the more recent “Punisher: Kill Krew” all fall into this category, showcasing Marvel’s ultra-violent anti-hero. It’s not that Frank Castle can’t handle long-form stories – Garth Ennis has demonstrated this numerous times – it’s just that it’s simpler to craft focused tales with the Punisher without them becoming repetitive.

Frank Castle isn’t the most complex character you’ll find. His family is deceased, and his anger about it is intense. He’s determined to prevent others from suffering the same fate, taking whatever actions he deems necessary. However, if one of his many victims happens to be a parent, well, they can expect a brutal dismantling of their family. In essence, The Punisher thrives in three distinct situations: leading gruesome comics unsuitable for young readers, serving as humorously exaggerated commentary on the character (like in Kill Krew), or appearing as a secondary character in other comics. He made his debut in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man and left a lasting impression during the mid-’00s Civil War crossover. But creating a compelling, continuous storyline across multiple issues is no easy task with Frank.

The Special Presentation Format Is Perfect For The Punisher

It seems that the “Special Presentation” format, as demonstrated by “Werewolf by Night” and “The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special,” provides a more engaging experience compared to the conventional limited series format for Marvel projects. Neither production dragged on excessively, they each presented intriguing themes, and there was no prolonged wait for creators to resolve loose ends. Just like a quick-moving character such as The Punisher, these productions were in, out, and done with minimal fuss!

The movie “Werewolf by Night” clocks in at 53 minutes, while “The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special” runs for 42 minutes. Don’t you think it would be awesome if a “Punisher” special were only 45 minutes long and consisted entirely of intense, gruesome action scenes? After all, we’ve seen enough contemplative moments at Bernthal’s Castle regarding the sad demise of his family. Yes, it was truly heart-wrenching. But by now, everyone is aware of this tragic backstory. It’s not like a new season of “The Punisher” would reintroduce Micro, played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who happens to be quite occupied at the moment. Similarly, Ben Barnes wasn’t given much room to shine as Jigsaw in the series either.

In this innovative presentation style, the character known as The Punisher is given free reign to showcase his signature skill set – wiping out countless villains. Previous scenarios are left behind as we dive into an entirely fresh narrative where Frank Castle can dish out a generous dose of on-screen brutality. It’s almost like a celestial union… or perhaps a descent into the underworld?

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2025-03-24 00:34