Jon Bernthal's take on Frank Castle in Daredevil was nothing short of incredible, and it's no exaggeration to say it was a crime that he didn't receive some serious awards attention for that performance. The Punisher TV series was well-received, though it was the actor's work as this Marvel Comics character that kept fans most invested in where the vigilante's story was heading.
We recently got the chance to speak with Jon and his Small Engine Repair co-stars, Shea Whigham and John Pollono, and had to sneak in a question about The Punisher's possible MCU future.
It's not much, but as you can see in the video below, Bernthal certainly doesn't discount the possibility of returning...he just claims not to know what's in store for Frank moving forward at Marvel Studios.
Stiil, we can't help but watch his reaction (6:24) and have at least some hope...
Just very quickly, Jon, while I have you - is there any chance we’re going to see you back as The Punisher soon? There are all those Daredevil rumours…
Jon: Ah, I don’t know, man. I don’t know! You know that...I don’t know about all that.
Well, fingers crossed, anyway…
Shea: He’s lying! He’s already filming!
Jon: [Laughs]
After Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock/Daredevil, Bernthal's Punisher is the character fans most want to see brought into the MCU from that Marvel Television/Netflix era of storytelling, and we're sure Kevin Feige knows that. Whether the way the anti-hero's logo has been misappropriated in recent years will have an impact on that happening is hard to say, though we'd certainly hope not.
Fingers crossed something changes soon, but for now, you can check out our Small Engine Repair review here. Then, you'll want to come back here tomorrow to read our full interview with Jon, Shea, and John.