It's an exciting time for the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the Multiverse Saga means that it's quite literally full of possibilities. That's certainly always been true for the Marvel Studios juggernaut but it's been particularly prevalent in recent years due to the alternate worlds and dimensions that the saga's ongoing storyline has been exploring.
Another element that the franchise has been exploring throughout these past two phases has been the reintroduction of the grittier heroes and villains from the Marvel Netflix shows. Although they were no longer considered canon to the MCU after that shared universe of shows came to an end in 2019, they have been retroactively canonized through Disney Plus shows Echo and Daredevil: Born Again. This has allowed for certain characters to return, including Jon Bernthal's Punisher.
Speaking of the alternate worlds that the MCU has been traversing throughout the Multiverse Saga, as well as the return of the heroes of the Netflix shows like The Punisher, Marvel Studios officially released the first HQ look at the franchise's first ever female Punisher.
The first look at Riri Williams as the MCU's first female Punisher
Marvel concept artist Justin Kim took to social media to share with fans a new look at Riri Williams as The Punisher. The image was crafted for the final episode of Marvel Animation's What If...?, which featured a sequence which saw a lot of the multiversal variations of heroes who simply never had the chance to appear in the beloved Disney Plus show. Now, as reported by The Direct, we get our first HD look at the image, allowing us to see what Ironheart's Punisher really would have looked like. And it's an epic sight.
Check it out below:
Riri Williams is portrayed by Dominique Thorne in the MCU, and that includes a voice performance in What If...? season 3 (along with another voice performance in recent animated series Marvel Zombies). Thorne first debuted on-screens in 2022's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and she has since starred in her own live-action Disney Plus show Ironheart.
A genius who designs her own revolutionary suit of armor, she is likened to Tony Stark and his Iron Man persona in that she's in a league of her own when it comes to creating. And with that, the idea that an alternate version of her out there in the MCU's Multiverse uses those skills to hone her persona as The Punisher is extremely compelling.
What happens to this version of Riri to make her take on The Punisher mantle, and how does her unique creative abilities enhance her arsenal? From the one image of her that was revealed, it's clear that they enhance the weaponry a great deal!
Marvel Studios' next movie could introduce another new Punisher character
Of course, this revelation comes as Marvel fans are speculating about whether a female version of The Punisher will be involved in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day movie. We know that Jon Bernthal will reprise his role as Frank Castle, a.k.a. The Punisher (which he has previously played in Netflix's Daredevil and The Punisher, as well as Disney Plus' Daredevil: Born Again and the upcoming Punisher Special Presentation), and there are some rumors that claim he will be joined by a protégé.
We know that Stranger Things star Sadie Sink will be playing a major undisclosed role in the 2026 movie, so fans are wondering if she might be the one to take up the Punisher mantle, particularly as there are reports that Rachel Cole-Alves - an ally of The Punisher in the comics - could appear in the movie.
Honestly, at this point, it's quite possible, as so little is known about her character. We do know that Sink has joined the production and was recently spotted on set, but that's literally it.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is shaping up to be quite the star-studded affair, and an appearance from Cole-Alves would simply add to that - especially if Sink is the one playing the role. Regardless, we're very excited to see that movie come to life!
In the meantime, however, Riri Williams certainly makes a very badass Punisher.
What If...? season 3 is streaming on Disney Plus. Spider-Man: Brand New Day arrives in theaters on July 31, 2026.