Following Jon Bernthal’s appearance in “Daredevil: Born Again,” reprising his role as Frank Castle, also known as the MCU’s Punisher, fans can look forward to more developments involving the character. The reworking of “Daredevil: Born Again” by “The Punisher” executive producer and writer Dario Scardapane sparked Bernthal’s renewed interest in the role, particularly with Marvel’s decisions to embrace the ultra-violence associated with the character.
Bernthal emphasized the depth of discussion between Frank Castle and Matt Murdock, portrayed by Charlie Cox, which highlighted the psychological and physical state of Castle. He shared with Entertainment Weekly the extent to which he was involved in conversations about his character, which allowed him to explore new dimensions of Castle’s character.
Describing the character’s development, Bernthal noted that the arc for his portrayal of the Punisher is aligning with the character’s intended depth. He expressed a desire to depict Frank Castle as a complex, dark, and psychologically challenging figure, devoid of humor and sentimentality, pushing the portrayal to its boldest form.
Bernthal’s brief appearance in “Daredevil: Born Again” served as a gateway to portraying a version of Frank Castle that aligns with his vision, particularly as the character grapples with the misuse of the Punisher emblem in ways that contradict his code.
Reflecting on Castle’s character, Bernthal mentioned that a part of Frank Castle exists in everyone, encapsulated in the notion that everyone is just “one bad day away” from becoming him. He noted a mutual recognition between Castle and Murdock of their shared traits, emphasizing Castle’s resolute nature.
Fans have come to appreciate Bernthal’s portrayal of the anti-hero, and he will not only star in an upcoming Marvel Television special on Disney+ but also contribute as a writer. Bernthal discussed the meticulous process of developing the project with director Reinaldo Marcus Green, underscoring the importance of accountability and earning the outcome. The narrative promises to deliver a raw, psychologically multifaceted portrayal of Castle, emphasizing the consequences of violence.
Bernthal remains focused on creating this special, appreciating the creative freedom Marvel offers while ensuring the character’s journey remains genuine and true to the envisioned storyline.
“Daredevil: Born Again” is currently available for streaming on Disney+, alongside both seasons of Bernthal’s “Punisher” series.
