Jon Bernthal says Marvel fans are getting the darkest version of The Punisher yet in the upcoming special that gets released Tuesday on Disney+.
The actor opened up on The Kelly Clarkson Show (watch below) about co-writing the upcoming Punisher project and teased what fans can expect from Frank Castle, including his role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day with Tom Holland.
According to Bernthal, this version of Frank is not being softened for the MCU.
Jon Bernthal Says The Punisher Gets Darker
Bernthal said the new Punisher story is “the most psychologically complex” and “darkest” version of the character fans have seen.
“I think it’s going to be the most psychologically complex, the darkest version of The Punisher that you’re going to see,” Bernthal said. “I believe it’s what the fans want.”
For fans who have worried Marvel might tone down Frank Castle, Bernthal’s comments should come as good news. His version of The Punisher has always worked best when the story digs into trauma, violence, loss, and the cost of Frank’s war.
Bernthal Co-Wrote The Punisher Story
Bernthal also confirmed he wrote a lot of the project himself and worked with people close to the veteran community.
“I wrote a lot of it,” Bernthal said, adding that he worked alongside Nick Koumalatsos, a Marine Raider who wrote about his own pain, hopelessness, and recovery.
Bernthal said Koumalatsos is also a producer on the project.
Cody Alford, another Marine Raider, and Colton Hill, a Green Beret, were also on set and appear in the special.
“They’re badass,” Bernthal said. “But more than badass. They’re just beautiful human beings.”
Veteran Trauma Is At The Core Of Frank Castle
Bernthal said the team wanted to do something meaningful for the veteran community, especially for elite soldiers struggling to return to regular life after combat.
“They really wanted to do something for the veterans community,” Bernthal said, pointing to “tip of the spear guys” who are suffering as they try to re-enter the world.
Bernthal said that idea is “very much at the core of Frank’s story.”
The Punisher Will Also Appear In Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Bernthal also discussed playing Frank Castle in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
He said it is the “same character but different” because the tone of Spider-Man is not the same as The Punisher.
“With Spider-Man, I think what was most important, because obviously tonally it’s different, and such an honor to be a part of it, especially with my dear friend Tom Holland, it was important to us that Punisher could walk off one set and walk on to the other,” Bernthal said.
Bernthal said the two projects “couldn’t be more different” tonally, but he hopes they managed to keep Frank consistent.
Bernthal Praises Tom Holland
Bernthal also had big praise for Tom Holland.
He said he has known Holland since he was 17 and called him “the greatest to ever do it.”
“I never saw somebody with that kind of drive, that kind of confidence, that kind of belief,” Bernthal said, while also calling Holland “deeply kind” and “good.”
Release info
The Punisher: One Last Kill hits Disney+ on May 12th; Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into theaters on July 31.
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