THE PUNISHER Star Jon Bernthal Has No Interest In Returning As A Watered-Down Version Of Frank Castle

Could we see Jon Bernthal reprise the role of Frank Castle in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? It could happen, but the King Richard actor has no interest in returning as a watered-down take on The Punisher.

By MarkCassidy - Dec 03, 2021 03:12 PM EST

Filed Under: Punisher

Though nothing has been made official just yet, it looks like Marvel Studios does indeed plan to reintroduce some of the characters from the now cancelled Netflix Marvel shows while keeping the original actors on to play them in the MCU, and there have been persistent rumors that Jon Bernthal is set to return as Frank Castle, aka The Punisher.

The actor has spoken about the prospect of donning the iconic skull logo again on several occasions in the past, but it doesn't sound like he has much interest in playing a watered-down version of the ultra-violent vigilante - which he almost certainly would be under the Disney-owned Marvel Studios banner.

While chatting to THR about his part in King Richard, Bernthal gave an in-depth response when asked about the possibility of reprising the role of Frank Castle in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

"That character, in particular, has real, real, real deep, deep meaning for me and resonance in me," he began. "He’s really in my heart, man. He’s really in my bones. I’m enormously protective of that character. I’ve said before that there’s nothing in this world more important to me than my wife and my kids, and only until you understand that kind of love and what it really means to willingly die for somebody, [do you understand] what it would be like if somebody took them from you. That’s a road and a darkness and a rage that really, really scares me and brings me to places that I’ve worked the last 20 years to get away from. So I was really grateful, respectful and weary of the places where that role took me and the world in which I had to live in."

"That being said, that’s where that character needs to be. It needs to be a level of darkness," he continued. "I think if there’s any let up on that character, you do a disservice to the character, to every iteration of the character, to every comic book that’s come before, and to all of the unbelievable fans of the character. This character means so much to people in the military. So like I said before, it’s not about whether you do the character; it’s about whether you can do it right, and I’m only interested in doing it right."

While it's true that a brutal character like Castle would be far from a good fit for the family-friendly MCU, we know that Deadpool 3 will be R-rated, so the studio is clearly planning to expand into uncharted waters at some point in the near future.

Who knows, maybe we will see Bernthal back in the saddle as The Punisher down the line.

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122 Comments

1 2 3 4

DaHyro - 12/3/2021, 3:49 PM

If i ever hear Frank Castle say “i’ve got to Scooby Doo this crap” i think i’d just cry on the spot

Nightwing1015 - 12/3/2021, 3:49 PM

@DaHyro - I wouldn’t have a problem with that line if made sense within the context of the movie.

It’s a weird analogy given the information we know…there’s got be better analogies to capture the villains.

EDIT: OK this is so weird, comments are playing up. This wasn't my original comment. Somehow, My comment is repeating TheDoctor1225's despite me typing something completely different.

MyCoolYoung - 12/3/2021, 3:50 PM

@DaHyro

Unless he is talking about 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo which if he is then it’s more appropriate

The premise of that show is oddly similar to NWH to some extent.

HAUSMAN01 - 12/3/2021, 4:23 PM

@Nightwing1015 - except we haven't gotten DD nor Kingpin yet...LOL there y'all fans go assuming sh!t b/f it actually transpires...some of y'all finna be real upset when certain characters don't appear. Look I want those characters to appear too just...relax on the "FOR SURES" if you will LOL

Origame - 12/3/2021, 4:49 PM

@Nightwing1015 - let's pokemon this crap.

JermareCBM - 12/3/2021, 3:52 PM

I'm sure however Marvel Studios is handling Deadpool is how they'd handle Frank. My guess is R-rated Marvel will be distributed by 20th Century Studios and put on Hulu (with "Once Upon A Deadpool" versions for Disney+ if need be).

Jackraow21 - 12/4/2021, 11:13 AM

@JermareCBM - That would make sense.

HeavyMetal4Life - 12/3/2021, 3:54 PM

"we know that Deadpool 3 will be R-rated, so the studio is clearly planning to expand into uncharted waters at some point in the near future."

I was told that Marvel currently has no plans of venturing into R-rated territory outside of Deadpool 3. No desire whatsoever.

Superspecialawesomeguy - 12/3/2021, 3:59 PM

"...it’s not about whether you do the character; it’s about whether you can do it right, and I’m only interested in doing it right."

HAUSMAN01 - 12/3/2021, 4:02 PM

I totally agree with Berthal this is one character(this goes for other R-rated Marvel characters) that needs to be R and have that dark to him. None of that fluffy BS we see with the other shows or joke BS we get with Drax or Thor. I love the MCU but I am not blind nor ignorant like some fans who eat up everything from the MCU every chance they get. Look you going get it from me straight how I see it. No CAPPIN for the mouse from me unlike some DISNEY/MCU fans I know in here and other platforms.

TheWalkingCuban - 12/3/2021, 4:03 PM

I too shake my head at that. A lot

https://img.wattpad.com/4b7585ca3863db5bb7264e8fc438eda3bb74cc5f/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f2d5335564941634f797a5f712d513d3d2d3430393036313433372e313462633638346132396565626635313736333239333633363231322e676966

Ha1frican - 12/3/2021, 4:04 PM

Honestly I felt like he was a watered down Punisher just in the way that he really wasn’t the Punisher past Daredevil Season 2. Great performance dont get me wrong but I have fundamental issues with that show and how it portrayed Frank Castle as pretty much just a guy. I’d be fine with his Punisher coming back but it was the one Netflix show I didn’t really care for and would rather he just get cast as Wolverine.

GhostDog - 12/3/2021, 4:06 PM

@bkmeijer - plus , if the Moon Knight trailer is any indication..it seems like they aren’t afraid to go dark.

Maybe not full R Rated but still.

1 2 3 4

THE PUNISHER Star Jon Bernthal Has No Interest In Returning As A Watered-Down Version Of Frank Castle

Could we see Jon Bernthal reprise the role of Frank Castle in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? It could happen, but the King Richard actor has no interest in returning as a watered-down take on The Punisher.

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