The Punisher’s Thomas Jane Gives Honest View on Jon Bernthal’s Frank Castle

The Punisher's Thomas Jane Gives Honest View on Jon Bernthal's Frank Castle

As a movie critic with over three decades of experience under my belt, I must say that Thomas Jane’s approval of Jon Bernthal as The Punisher is not just commendable but well-deserved. Having seen both actors embody the gritty and complex character of Frank Castle, it’s evident that Bernthal has made the role his own.


In a show of appreciation, Thomas Jane, who originally played The Punisher in a 2004 film, has endorsed Jon Bernthal’s portrayal of Frank Castle in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Unlike Bernthal, who made his debut as the character in the Netflix series, Jane’s association with the violent Marvel character dates back many years. However, despite speculations about his potential appearance in the Deadpool & Wolverine project, Jane has clarified why he declined to reprise the role and expressed his belief that Marvel Studios has found an ideal fit for the part in Bernthal.

In the build-up to the premiere of Deadpool & Wolverine, numerous actors were speculated to play Marvel characters from other realms, like those seen in the Fox X-Men films, the Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and beyond. Among them was Jane, who clarified that he wasn’t approached to resume his character for the movie. In an interview with The Direct, he further expressed his belief that Jon Bernthal delivers the finest portrayal of The Punisher that Marvel has seen so far. Putting it simply, here is how Jane put it: “Although I was rumored to be in the film, I wasn’t asked to reprise my role. In my opinion, Bernthal is an exceptional Punisher.”

“Nah, I’m a fan of Jon Bernthal as The Punisher. To be honest, it was a bit challenging for me because Frank Castle is meant to be an Italian-American character, and I’m not. As an Irish-American, I had to alter my appearance and adopt a new role, but Bernthal pulls it off flawlessly. In my opinion, they should keep him on board.”

Jon Bernthal Made The Punisher His Own

The Punisher's Thomas Jane Gives Honest View on Jon Bernthal's Frank CastleThe Punisher's Thomas Jane Gives Honest View on Jon Bernthal's Frank CastleThe Punisher's Thomas Jane Gives Honest View on Jon Bernthal's Frank Castle

Although some fans might have been excited to witness Jane back as Frank Castle after two decades, it’s evident that there is only one suitable actor for the role within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, given Marvel Studios’ decision to alter the connection between their upcoming Daredevil series and the Netflix show’s storyline continuity.

Initially planned as a fresh start for the blind lawyer-turned-vigilante character portrayed by Charlie Cox (Daredevil) and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin, the series intended to retain just these two characters from previous shows. However, an unexpected turn of events occurred as D’Onofrio revealed that the production underwent a major transformation, inviting several well-known stars from the Netflix series into the mix. Among these additions was the character of Frank Castle, prompting the search for an ideal actor to play the role.

During a recent discussion at Disney’s D23 Expo, Bernthal hinted at the possibility of the cast coming together again, discussing their feelings about it and its implications for the series. He stated:

“Everyone is present, and we’re all thrilled to be together. We take great pride in our accomplishments. If you were a fan of the previous series, you’ll find immense joy here. I believe that if you enjoyed the earlier show, you’ll appreciate this one even more. It seems we’re simply pushing boundaries a little further.”

The Daredevil: Born Again series is slated for release towards the end of 2025. In the meantime, you can catch Bernthal’s past portrayals of The Punisher within the Defenders Saga, available on Disney+.

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2024-09-02 19:31