The Punisher Returns: A Look at Jon Bernthal's Upcoming Marvel Projects
Jon Bernthal's Punisher character is making a comeback in the Marvel universe with new projects in the works. He recently appeared in Daredevil: Born Again and is currently filming a Special Presentation for the MCU. Photographer Steve Sands shared an image of the updated Punisher uniform Bernthal will wear in the upcoming project on Instagram.
The new Punisher special is co-written by Bernthal and director Reinaldo Marcus Green. It is expected to be a stand-alone story that will bridge the gap between Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Set photos suggest that the events of the special will take place in the summer of 2027, with hints of Frank Castle facing off against the Gnucci crime family.
The inclusion of Punisher in Spider-Man: Brand New Day brings a classic comic book dynamic to the big screen. The characters have a complicated history, with Punisher's first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 in 1974. Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige mentioned that Punisher's introduction to Spider-Man's world is a result of the events in Spider-Man: No Way Home, setting the stage for a street-level crime focus in the MCU.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, promises to be an action-packed street-level epic. The film will feature characters like the Hulk and Scorpion, along with rumors of other crime-related villains. This crossover marks the first meeting between Spider-Man and Punisher on the big screen, adding a gritty element to the MCU.
Fans can look forward to the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day in theaters on July 31, 2026, and the Punisher Special Presentation on Disney+ in 2026. Are you excited to see the Punisher's return to the MCU? Share your thoughts in the comments!