So as the teaser states, this is an attempt at casting the recent run of the character, Frank Castle. Hopefully, this won't to be too terrible.
Joe Manganiello: Frank Castle/The Punisher
I feel Joe Manganiello is perfect for Frank Castle. Not just because he looks like the character, but because in Rucka's run Frank was a boogeyman. He was a force of nature that barely spoke with his words, but when he did you took notice. With an intimidating 6'5" height and a very husky voice, when Joe gets on screen as Frank, not for one second will anyone not believe that his behemoth can be a bringer of death. I would love to see him for Hercules or even Ares, but I'll be damned if he won't make for a good Punisher. Frank should be a force of nature. He should be to criminals what Jason Voorhees is to horny teenagers. I can see Joe owning this role.
Antje Traue: Sgt. Rachel Cole ALves
Very few women cans stand up to or if necessary, kick Fran's ass. That being said, the woman who made Superman in MOS look like a mere child should have no problem filling this role. I haven't seen her in anything dramatic, but I believe that she can play the role of victim who survives her wedding day massacre and then becomes a revenge driven hunter of those responsible. With those piercing eyes that can deliver a thousand yard death stare without any trouble, she would make a perfect fit for Rachel. Also, her physique in MOS indicates that she be seductive, yet deadly without any trouble whatsoever. Something that would come in handy for the undercover scenes, as there were many in the comics.
Morgan Freeman: Detective Oscar Clemons
Morgan Freeman was practically cast as this character in the comics. As writers and artist cast their work almost all the time, sometimes blatantly, this is what a punisher film needs: Star Power. I'd give my entire college tuition just to hear Morgan Freeman say, "Teletubbies". The same goes to see him play a driven detective trying to bring The Punisher to justice for making a mockery of the law. I believe he already played one such character in the movie Se7en if I'm not mistaken. I even believe that's the character Oscar Clemons was based on. The resemblance is uncanny. Also, while it may seem unlikely that Morgan Freeman would do a Punisher film, I think many thought the same way when he was cast in a Mark Millar property like "Wanted".
Ryan Reynolds: Detective Walter Bolt
Okay, so this is the part where things get a bit into the, "Really?" category. Now, here comes the understatement of the century, Ryan Reynolds has not had much success when it comes to comic book movies. Neither has The Punisher. Yay, redemption for everyone! Cut back on the funny man routine, give him something dramatic and let the tension build (which shouldn't be a problem as Castle informant on the police force)and you've a decent if not good performance in a decent if not good Punisher film. Reynolds can do this, just look at "Buried".
Missy Peregrym: Officer Carlie Cooper
This is a bit of bias here as I love her on the show Rookie Blue. So given her experience on that show, I believe should could play NYPD officer Carlie Cooper who is not only dating the character of Walter Bolt, but is also Peter Parker's ex. Which could be cool for a cross-over film (Omega Drive).
Kristen Bell: Norah Winters
I picked Kristen for this because having seen her on Veronica Mars and House of Lies, the take feisty, whip smart, sassy Norah Winters is totally not a problem for Kristen to play at all.
Joseph Gilgun: Liam Malloy
After seeing him in Lockout I have problem seeing Mr. Gilgun as the lead exchange operative who played a hand in the murder of Rachel Cole's husband to be as well as countless others at the wedding turned blood bath.
Christopher Meloni: Detective Robert Seever
Chris Meloni as the detective charged with interrogating detective Bolt in a punisher shooting in which Bolt was present and also the lone survivor is a cake walk for the actor. With his years of experience on Law & Order: SVU and his role as Vampire Authority Head, Roman Zimojic, Meloni knows how to play intimidating face of the law. He was even one of my top favorites to play The Punisher. Hell, he still is!
Jason Flemyng: Jimmy Natale/Red Vulture
Jason Flemyng to me is a great character actor and wonderful creature actor as well. With his turns as Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde (League of Extraordinary Gentlemen), Calibos (Clash of the Titans), Azazel (X-Men: First Class), and Malachi (Solomon Kane) him playing the former mob fixer turned lethal and downright frightening hitman for "The Exchange" would be a blast to see. Especially when we see him in action with those terrifying mandibles as he spews acid and cannibalizes his weakened victims. Plus, that awesome knife fight he had with Castle in the comics as they were high above New York's cityscape would be awesome to see on screen!
Peter Mensah: Black Talon
For the random scene in the comic where Black Talon shows up with a zombie army, I think Peter Mensah could play this bit role well. I'd really like to see him come back for a better role, so this bit part would have him masked. That way he can come back as someone in the MCU again for more meatier role, such as Black Panther's father, T'Chaka.
William Fitchtner: Ben Urich
William is such a wonderful character actor, and for him to play the eyes and ears of Marvel's underworld would be great to see. Such a quality actor would be a welcome edition into MCU for sure.
Amanda Seyfried: Stephanie Gerard
Another on the nose casting as the character of Stephanie Gerard looks exactly like Ms. Seyfried. I'm not sure she can play this seductive, dismissive, calculating woman in the spy world as one of the leaders of the main villain organization, The Exchange. However, that's the job of an actor and I believe this would be a pleasant surprise to see a villainous turn.
Chris Messina: Christian Poulsen
Chris is damn near in everything. But what made me pick him is the character of Christian Poulsen, the co-leader of the Exchange. Also, the short love interest of Stephanie. He starts out as a very smooth and suave character, but when a surprise attack by Castle and Alves leaves Stephanie dead after confessing her feelings for Christian not to long ago, Poulsen changes. He becomes a wild gung ho, swing for the fences vengeance seeking madman which will culminate in the biggest action set piece, the exchange shootout that claims the life of detective Bolt. I can easily see Messina playing the former S.H.I.E.L.D agent as the laid back brain who unleashes his inner action hero(ala Castle) when he loses his love.
Now of course there's the team-up film which would see Castle and Alves team-up with Spider-Man and Daredevil, so they can appear in this film to set up the omega drive.
Matt Long or Matt Dallas: Peter Parker/Spider-Man
Matt Long
Matt Dallas
I couldn't really choose which actor could play Spider-Man as I think both could work regardless of who's chosen. I just knew that they had to be more mature (Out of high school/college) yet still had that youthful look to them as it seems Spider-Man never really ages. I feel that either one of these guys can take up the mantle and do just fine.
Jamie Bamber: Matt Murdock/Daredevil
No stranger to physical action and courtroom drama Jamie Bamber of both Battlestar Galactica and Law & Order UK not only looks strikingly like Matt Murdock, but also has the acting ability to bring him to life as well. Literally, just put those classic shades on him and you have Matt Murdock. Place him in the costume and you have the man without fear.
And there it is. My fan-cast of Greg Rucka and Marco Checchetto's Punisher Run part one. Part two will place the Punisher up against the Avengers in the fan-cast of the "War Zone" mini-series. If I missed any characters, please let me know.