The Punisher’s Journey in the MCU: What You Need to Know!

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After a six-year hiatus, I’m thrilled to finally revisit Jon Bernthal’s gripping portrayal of Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This antihero is undeniably one of Marvel’s most notorious and debatable figures due to his penchant for taking out enemies with lethal force, a practice that traditional superheroes tend to eschew.

The Netflix era of Marvel, now known as The Defenders Saga, came to an abrupt end in 2019, leaving fans yearning for the characters introduced within this corner of the universe. Among them, The Punisher was second only to Daredevil in terms of popularity among fan-favorites eagerly awaiting a return to the MCU.

Daredevil: Reborn – The Grand Return

The Punisher’s ‘Daredevil’ Story

In June 2015, it was made official that Jon Bernthal would portray Frank Castle / The Punisher in ‘Daredevil’ Season 2. Prior to the airing of ‘Daredevil’ Season 2 in March 2016, Netflix announced a separate ‘Punisher’ series. By the time the second season premiered, it became evident that their decision to greenlight the series was well-founded. Bernthal delivered an exceptional performance amidst a somewhat turbulent season, with Episode 3, “New York’s Finest,” being particularly noteworthy for its compelling writing of Daredevil and The Punisher characters. This writing drew heavily on Garth Ennis and Steven Dillion’s “The Choice” storyline.

In Season 2 of Daredevil, the character of the Punisher is depicted in a storyline that’s typical to him. He’s a solitary figure conducting a personal crusade against crime, spurred by the tragic loss of his family – his wife and children. However, Karen Page’s investigation during this period reveals a hidden truth: Their deaths weren’t a random act of gang violence as initially believed. Instead, it was orchestrated by senior officials within the United States military, including Punisher’s ex-commander, Major Ray Schoonover, who disguised himself as a notorious criminal drug dealer called the Blacksmith.

Frank Castle, disguising his demise and breaking free from prison, tracked down and eliminated Schoonover as retribution for his family. Post his alliance with Daredevil in combating The Hand, Frank Castle received a DVD marked “Micro,” containing footage of the execution of Ahmad Zubair, an Afghan National Police officer who exposed the clandestine CIA operation called Cerberus, which was behind the heroin trafficking. In response, Castle destroyed his home using Schoonover’s firearms and a skull insignia painted on his vest that he got from an x-ray taken the night his family was brutally murdered.

‘The Punisher’ on Netflix

In Season 1 of The Punisher, which premiered on November 17, 2017, Frank Castle thought he had tracked down and eliminated everyone he believed was involved in his family’s murder. He then discarded his Punisher vest, thinking his crusade against crime was finished. However, it is later unveiled that there was a vast conspiracy behind his family’s deaths, and the series unfolds Frank Castle’s past service with the covert military unit Cerberus, under the command of corrupt CIA operative William Rollins.

In this show, Castle crosses paths with Micro, a previous NSA analyst falsely accused of leaking secrets about Cerberus during the War on Terror. To shield his family, Micro went into hiding, but Castle and he are forced to work together to uncover the truth. The series also presents Billy Russo, better known as Jigsaw, who was once Frank Castle’s fellow soldier and closest friend in Project Cerberus. However, after their return home, Russo betrayed Castle. In the end, Castle manages to clear Micro’s name, allowing The Punisher to drive off in a van, continuing his crusade against criminal activity.

Season 2 of “The Punisher,” which premiered on January 18, 2019, was one of the final Marvel Netflix series. This season presents a more grounded narrative, resembling a standalone storyline in a Punisher comic book, with Frank Castle (the Punisher) safeguarding a young girl named Amy Bendix. Previously, at the end of Season 1, Castle had left his former friend Billy Russo to die, causing Russo’s psychological breakdown and assuming the alias Jigsaw. Throughout the series, Jigsaw pursues revenge against the Punisher, culminating in the Punisher eventually killing him. In the final scene, the Punisher is seen shooting a group of criminals, implying that behind all these tales, the Punisher will continue his solitary crusade against crime.

Present Day Punisher

This leads us to the storyline titled “Daredevil: Born Again,” set in 2027, approximately nine years after the conclusion of Season 2 of “The Punisher.” Whether The Punisher was among those erased by Thanos is uncertain. It seems that during this period, The Punisher’s status has escalated, as his skull logo has become a symbol misused by some corrupt police officers, much like the real-world controversy surrounding the use of The Punisher’s emblem. The Punisher appears to be aware of these imitators, but it remains unclear if he has taken any action against them.

It appears that The Kingpin hinted in Episode 2 that The Punisher primarily operates within New York City. I’m eager to see how The Punisher’s narrative unfolds, especially since a Marvel Special Presentation focusing on the character is underway and scheduled for release in 2026.

Key Dates To Know About The Punisher

For fans curious about the Marvel Cinematic Universe chronology, here’s where The Punisher’s backstory aligns with the broader universe.

  • November 15, 1979 — Frank Castle is born. This means he is nine years younger than Tony Stark / Iron Man (born 1970) and 14 years younger than Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel (born 1965).
  • 1997 — Frank Castle enrolls in the Marine Corps at the age of 18. This is two years after the events of Captain Marvel.
  • 2002 — Frank Castle meets Maria Falconio, and the two begin a relationship. He proposes to her three months later after finding out she is pregnant.
  • 2003 — Frank Castle’s daughter Lisa is born. Frank Castle is shipped out to Iraq, but not before his wife becomes pregnant again.
  • 2004 — Frank Castle’s son Frank Castle Jr. is born, a birth Castle is unable to attend.
  • 2006 — Frank Castle becomes friends with Billy Russo, his future foe Jigsaw. This is one year after Bruce Banner transformed into the Hulk.
  • 2007 to 2012 — Frank Castle is fighting in the War on Terror during the events of Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, and The Avengers.
  • 2013 — Frank Castle was awarded the Navy Cross for his service in the Marine Corps. This appears to be after The Avengers in 2012 but before the events of Thor: The Dark World and Iron Man 3, both of which occurred in 2013.
  • 2013 to 2015 — In the backdrop of the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Frank Castle was part of Operation Cerberus alongside Billy Russo and under the leadership of CIA agent William Rawlins and Major Ray Schoonover, with the squads’ goal to capture, interrogate, and killing high-value targets. However, unbeknownst to the soldiers, the missions were unsanctioned by the United States Congress or the CIA and were funded illegally by selling heroin, smuggling it through the corpses of dead soldiers. The squad was disbanded following a high-profile failed mission where many soldiers died, with many only surviving due to the actions of Frank Castle.
  • April 3, 2015 — About one month before the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Frank Castle finally returns home to New York City to be reunited with his wife and kids. Frank Castle’s daughter asks her father to read her a bedtime story, Penny & A Dime, but he is too tired and says he will read it to her tomorrow.
  • April 4, 2015 — Frank Castle’s family is killed following a firefight between the Mexican Cartel, Dogs of Hell, and Kitchen Irish. The deal and firefight were set up by William Rawlins and Ray Schoonover, who wanted to have Castle killed because he believed he leaked the torture and death of Ahmad Zubair, a member of the Afghan National Police who was investigating the movement of heroin traffic and murders in Kandahar, and discovered illegal activities being carried out by the armed services members. Castle was shot down and managed to survive, even coming back from flatlining with no medical aid. The Punisher is born.
  • Late 2015 — Daredevil: Season 2. After the events of Ant-Man.
  • November 2016 — The events of The Punisher Season 1 take place shortly after the events in Spider-Man: Homecoming and likely congruent with Stephen Strange going to Kamar-Taj at the beginning of Doctor Strange.
  • January 2018 — The Punisher Season 2 takes place about four months before the events of Avengers: Infinity War.
  • Early 2027 — Matt Murdock reunites with Frank Castle/The Punisher in Daredevil: Born Again.

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2025-03-20 01:05