Jon Bernthal’s return as Frank Castle, a.k.a. the Punisher, in Daredevil: Born Again is a significant moment for fans of the character, but it almost didn’t happen. Initially, Bernthal had turned down the opportunity to reprise his role due to creative differences with the show’s direction. At the time, the series’ tone felt disconnected from the darker, psychologically complex portrayal of Frank Castle that Bernthal had envisioned. He felt that the character wasn’t being handled in a way that would resonate with the fans or with his vision for the role.
However, after a major shift in Daredevil: Born Again, including a restructure of the creative team and the hiring of new lead writers, Bernthal reconsidered. Marvel engaged him in discussions about the character’s development, allowing him to delve deeper into Frank’s psychological and physical state. This new direction, which aligned more with his vision for Frank, encouraged Bernthal to return. His first appearance as the Punisher in Season 1, Episode 4, serves as a “toe dip” back into the character, testing how well his reintroduction would work. The reunion with Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) is intense and filled with tension, with Frank initially attacking Matt before the two get down to business.
Despite his limited screen time in that episode, Bernthal’s performance has opened the door for more Punisher content, including Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 and a standalone Punisher TV special. Bernthal is committed to portraying a version of Frank Castle that is dark, complex, and psychologically driven, avoiding humor or softness. He’s working closely with key figures like showrunner Dario Scardapane, second-unit director Phil Silvera, and Marine Raider Nick Koumalatsos to bring a more authentic and brutal version of Frank to life.
The upcoming Punisher TV special, which Bernthal is working on with director Reinaldo Marcus Green, will delve into the psychological complexity of Frank Castle, with violence carrying real consequences. Bernthal has even contributed to the writing process, ensuring that the character’s story is told authentically and with the depth he feels the Punisher deserves.
