Jon Bernthal Back as Punisher for Record-Breaking Special

Jon Bernthal is set to reprise his iconic role as Frank Castle in a new Punisher special for Disney+, making significant history for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This highly anticipated special presentation will run for 60 minutes, establishing it as Marvel Studios' longest special to date, surpassing previous entries like "Werewolf By Night" (53 minutes) and the "Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special" (42 minutes).

The special, written by Bernthal himself and director Reinaldo Marcus Green, aims to delve deeper into Frank Castle's story, building upon his appearances in Netflix's "Daredevil" and "The Punisher" series. Bernthal has assured fans that the project will remain faithful to the character's dark and authentic persona, emphasizing that it will not be a diluted version. Filming for the special took place over 12 days in New York City last summer and is slated for release later in 2026, around the same time as "Spider-Man: Brand New Day."

Furthermore, Bernthal will make his theatrical debut as The Punisher in the upcoming MCU film "Spider-Man: Brand New Day." This movie will feature a confrontation between Spider-Man and The Punisher. Bernthal expressed confidence that the transition from Netflix to Disney+ would not compromise the character's integrity, promising a high-octane and uncompromising portrayal of the anti-hero.