Move over, Tom Jane, there’s a new Punisher in town.
[dropcap size=small]D[/dropcap]aredevil’s first season was a smash hit, with roughly 10% of all Netflix subscribers tuning into at least one episode over the fist 10 days of its initial air date in April. With that kind of success, season 2 was obvious, and the future for this series is secured. Of course, it would be tough for any Disney/Marvel property to flop these days, with three of the highest grossing films of all time being among the Top 10.
Hard to imagine that Daredevil‘s level of violence and gore still make it a Disney property, but that won’t stop them from allowing Marvel to move forward with bringing in more guns, more action, and more of what we love.
The newest addition to the series is The Walking Dead‘s Jon Bernthal (Shane), being placed in the shoes of Frank Castle, better known as The Punisher. A role originally popularized by Thomas Jane in the 2004 film, and then UNpopularized by the 2008 reboot, Punisher: War Zone starring Ray Stevenson, The Punisher can and will be something to expect along the same lines as the Affleck/Daredevil combo; a flop turned success under the direction of those behind the MCU, something that includes the Netflix properties.
Off to take down some bad guys.
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[dropcap size=small]P[/dropcap]robably best known for his role as Shane Walsh in the AMC series, The Walking Dead, Jon Bernthal has received massive praise for his roles in films like The Wolf of Wall Street and Fury, the former of which the actor was nominated for several awards. From television to film, Bernthal has certainly shown that if there is a role requiring a hot-headed, man-of-action with a gun, it would be him, and The Punisher could be a role he was born to play.
Jeph Loeb, Marvel’s Head of Television said this of their cast choice:
“Jon Bernthal brings an unmatched intensity to every role he takes on, with a potent blend of power, motivation and vulnerability that will connect with audiences. Castle’s appearance will bring dramatic changes to the world of Matt Murdock and nothing will be the same.”
Frank Castle’s story focuses on a varied origin, all of which include the murders of his family, particularly his wife and children. Fueled by revenge, The Punisher is one hero/anti-hero who will stop at nothing to bring criminals to his own version of justice, usually relying on brutal beatings, occasionally torture, and murder; just the guy to walk the streets of the overwhelmingly corrupt Hell’s Kitchen.
Though The Punisher joins an existing series, Netflix plans on bringing about the likes of some of the most skilled and grim vigilantes among the Marvel Universe including Daredevil, Iron Fist, Power Man (Luke Cage), and Moon Knight (rumored) to their own shows that will collaborate, crossover, and eventually join in a Defenders project (basically a mini-Avengers for vigilantes) before ultimately joining the big screen MCU. It should be noted that while these lesser popular characters are on the small screen, they already are a part of the bigger MCU with references to the Avengers throughout the first season of Daredevil.
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[dropcap size=small]H[/dropcap]eroes aside, with teases of the above, Bullseye has also been teased and announced to appear in Season 2. Rumors have all but confirmed Jason Statham in the role, who has since “dropped out” of the running the moment word got out, likely hoping to keep this a surprise for a later announcement date. With that being said, sources are saying it could have been due to financial reasons, with Statham asking for more than Marvel was willing to pay. However, stranger things have happened and it is still possible he may end up as Bullseye after all (here’s hoping).
Marvel’s Netflix Original Series, Daredevil returns exclusively to the streaming service in 2016.
