Jon Bernthal on “Dark” Upcoming ‘Punisher’ Special: “It Will Not Be Punisher-Lite, I Promise You That”

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Jon Bernthal reappears as The Punisher in the recently debuted Disney+ series, “Daredevil: Born Again,” and he’s discussing the forthcoming series that focuses solely on the anti-hero character.

Initially, Jon Bernthal portrayed Frank Castle/Punisher, a vengeful vigilante driven by loss, in Netflix’s adaptation of Daredevil back in 2016. Subsequently, he starred in his solo series, The Punisher, on Netflix from 2017 to 2019. Now that Daredevil has been revived on Disney+, Bernthal is set to reprise his role in the upcoming series, Born Again. At the end of February, it was revealed that he will lead a standalone Punisher special for Marvel Television. Bernthal is currently collaborating with Reinaldo Marcus Green on writing this solo special, and Green will also direct. The Disney+ show is scheduled to air in 2026, coinciding with the second season of Daredevil.

At the SXSW debut of his upcoming film “The Accountant 2” on Saturday, Bernthal expressed his sentiments about the project to The Hollywood Reporter. He stated, “I have a strong affection for Frank, I’m truly thankful for the chance to narrate a tale that I believe the fans warrant. We’re putting in our utmost effort and aiming to portray a Frank Castle story that will challenge our audience – it won’t be simple, it won’t be cheerful, and I think it’s the interpretation that this character merits. I’m simply overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity we have.

When asked about how it compares to the Netflix show, Bernthal stated, “This version will be quite dark and grim, as Frank isn’t inclined to lighten the mood. It won’t be an easy watch. I’m not sure if this aligns with Netflix’s usual tone, but that seems to be the direction we’re taking. Rest assured, it certainly won’t be a watered-down version of The Punisher.

At present, Bernthal is engaged with “The Accountant 2,” a follow-up to the 2016 thriller that revolves around a brilliant mathematician (portrayed by Ben Affleck), who moonlights as an accountant for illicit criminal networks on the side. In this film, Bernthal takes on the role of Brax, his estranged and menacing brother.

The follow-up film took a lengthy path to the big screen, as Bernthal pointed out: “Ben and I often chat, and we frequently hear people mentioning the films we’ve done. It’s always ‘The Accountant’ that comes up in conversation. It appears to be a movie with a dedicated fanbase and it resonated deeply with so many viewers. I’m truly grateful for its success, as it reunites me with some wonderful people.

Affleck expressed that he too received plenty of feedback regarding the initial film. “At first, I was almost taken aback; it turned out to be successful, yet it wasn’t a billion-dollar blockbuster. I believe the rise in popularity of streaming platforms over the past nine years has been beneficial for this movie since viewers now have easy access to various content and can pick what they want,” he explained. “It seems that the first film has developed a following along the way, which is something I’m banking on. I hope that the affection for the initial movie will boost our chances with this one.

He went on to say, ‘I believe this film is superior and I’m quite fond of it. I sincerely hope that the audience will appreciate it too.’ He added, ‘Yes, I persisted with the project despite its ups and downs. It was more aggravating that we didn’t start sooner, but I think we’ve gained from the passing years. I’m aiming to make a third one before another nine years pass.’

The Accountant 2 will hit theaters on April 25.

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2025-03-09 08:29