The Punisher has really struggled to find a place on the big screen. If they do a brainless action film, it has terrible story and poor acting. If they try to do it with a heart, it's not really a Punisher film. The Punisher is a character who divides opinion. He should turn up, do what he does and leave. No questions. No justification. Leaving society to pick up the pieces and try and decipher why he does it. Frank openly admits he is beyond saving and he is The Punisher because he needs to be.
I will give my pick of actors who should be in the show, a small background on them and how they will be portrayed in the show.
From Season 1 to 6, it follow Frank Castle from his last stand in Vietnam in the 70's, to fighting the Kingpin of New York in 2015.
Episode 1 chronicles the BORN storyline. We follow Frank Castle as he leads his platoon against the Vietcong. At the end only he is left, he is airlifted to safety and returns to his family.
The following five episodes follow his struggle to adapt to the world.
His family's murder at the hands of the Da Costa Family.
His transformation into The Punisher
The introduction of Hitman and Bushwacker.
THE PUNISHER - THOMAS JANE
Thomas Jane was a solid pick for this character. I know some people didn't like it and some people loved it, but I think Thomas would be happy to jump back into the character if it was written correctly.
DA COSTA FAMILY
FREDDY DA COSTA - GIOVANNI RIBISI
Freddy is one of the men who is involved with murder of Frank's family. He and his brother are trying to prove themselves to their father but accidentally create The Punisher.
Giovanni has always been a good actor, just always in small roles. Gone in 60 Seconds and Avatar are examples. He would be a good fit as he always looks looks a little unhinged.
DONNY DA COSTA - MILO VENTIMIGLIA
Freddy's brother. They are in exactly the same boat.
Another actor who does well in small roles. I think him and Giovanni would work well together. Although their roles are small, they are vital.
PAUL DA COSTA - JAMES CAAN
Paul is the Don of the Da Costa family. Once The Punisher is born, Paul does everything he can to stop him.
James Caan, where to begin? He is a fantastic actor, we all know it. It would be amazing if he just had a few minutes each episode culminating in a final showdown in his mansion. Plus it would be great for the fans to see Caan back in a Mafia role.
HITMAN - WOODY HARRELSON
Hitman is the codename for Vietnam veteran Lt. Burt Kanyon. Once the war is over, Kanyon becomes a hitman due to his enjoyment of killing.
Woody Harrelson is not only a great actor, but a funny actor. His dry sense of humor would be perfect for someone who is effectively The Punisher with jokes. He would only last two episodes so not too much work for him to do.
BUSHWACKER - DOLPH LUNDGREN
My version of Bushwacker is a rogue government agent, who experimented with robotics on his own body. The government tried to take him out but his enhanced body was too much for them. He escapes and is now a soldier of fortune.
Dolph Lundgren would be a slightly obvious choice but when you look at Dolph, you can see in his face he's been through alot. If he brought all that history to the character, combined with his martial arts ability, there could be some fantastic fights between him and Jane.
Season 1 is set late 70's to 80's. Frank would be in his 30's. By the end of the first season,
The Da Costa's would be dead.
Hitman would be killed after the pair discuss Vietnam and how it changed them both.
Bushwacker and The Punisher would have a massive battle. Punisher believes he is dead, but Bushwacker has survived.
Well, that's it. This was my first fan-fic so please be kind or at least helpful! I have plans for the following five seasons, which I will post if this is successful.
Thanks for reading!