The Marvel Cinematic Universe has seen some ups and downs over the last few years, but anticipation remains high for Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The fourth solo film for Tom Holland as the Wall-Crawler picks up from the ending of 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home, as Peter Parker has made the world forget his secret identity and goes around as a solo Spider-Man.
The film has Peter facing what appears to be The Hand ninja clan while also bringing in some familiar faces like Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner, a.k.a. the Hulk. A surprise is that the film will also have Jon Bernthal reprising his role as Frank Castle, alias the brutal anti-hero known as the Punisher.
Speaking in the new July issue of Empire Magazine, Bernthal noted how he and Holland first worked together in 2015 on the historical drama Pilgrimage, which would be released in 2017. It was there that Holland first brought up The Punisher as Bernthal had been cast but had yet to film the role in the second season of Netflix’s Daredevil series.
“I really wasn’t familiar with the Punisher. I wasn’t a huge comic-book guy,” Bernthal admitted. “Tom was really the one that said, ‘Man, this character’s so great,’ and he explained it to me. We’ve remained friends over the years, but what a beautiful opportunity to do two movies back to back with him with The Odyssey and Spider-Man. I love him. I’m so proud of him.”
While it may seem strange to some to have The Punisher and Spider-Man teaming up, it does fit the comics. The Punisher debuted back in 1974 in Amazing Spider-Man #129, co-created by the late Gerry Conway and John Romita, Sr. He would recur in several Spider-Man comics before finally earning his own series and subsequently becoming a Marvel mainstay.
The Punisher and Spider-Man often clash as much as they partner up, as Spidey is obviously not a fan of the Punisher killing criminals without any qualms. Seeing that play out on-screen should be a thrill, yet fans are naturally worried the character will be watered down. The Netflix shows that introduced us to Bernthal's version of The Punisher have the character cursing and engaging in brutal violence (and his long-awaited return in the Disney Plus shows have done the same), while the MCU movies are more family-friendly at PG-13.
However, Bernthal was quick to note how he, Holland and director Destin Daniel Cretton went out of their way to ensure this is still the MCU Frank Castle, no matter Spider-Man: Brand New Day's rating.
“Frank Castle is perfectly at peace in a world of absolute darkness... He’s not looking for a buddy, he’s not looking for a friend, he’s not looking for a hand to pull him out of the hole that he’s in. He’s fine living in there. In fact, all he wants to do is dig deeper.”
There’s no word yet on just how or why Spider-Man and The Punisher end up working together, but Bernthal hints that Peter’s good humor and heart may crack Castle's tough exterior a bit. “I think, begrudgingly, Frank would tell you, if he had to be honest, he does care about Peter.”
So it seems the fan doubts are for naught and we’re getting a true Punisher in the main MCU, adding to the thrill of this new Spider-Man adventure! And after Bernthal's brilliant return to the character in Disney Plus Special Presentation The Punisher: One Last Kill, that is music to all of our ears.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day arrives in movie theaters on July 31.
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