Marvel fans eagerly awaiting the return of Frank Castle can expect an unapologetically dark and violent standalone special, according to actor Jon Bernthal. The upcoming one-shot Punisher special, slated for 2026, promises to stay true to the character's gritty roots.
Speaking at SXSW while promoting The Accountant 2, Bernthal shared his vision for the anticipated project, which he is co-writing with Reinaldo Marcus Green. "We're giving it our all, and we're trying to tell a Frank Castle story that we're going to turn out back on the audience," said Bernthal. "It's not going to be light, and I think it's the version that this character deserves."
The actor, who will reprise his role as the vengeful vigilante in the upcoming Daredevil: Born Again series, emphasized that fans shouldn't expect a watered-down version of the character. "It's going to be dark; Frank has no interest in breaking out of the darkness. It's not going to be easy," Bernthal revealed.
The special gains additional weight as it connects to a broader storyline in Daredevil: Born Again, where Frank Castle's influence on law enforcement becomes a major plot point. Showrunner Dario Scardapane described this narrative thread as one that has been "begging to be told" and will span both seasons of the show.
The Punisher special appears to be just the beginning of Marvel's plans for the character, suggesting that Bernthal's return as Frank Castle could extend beyond these announced projects. For fans of the character's previous incarnations, this commitment to maintaining the Punisher's darker elements comes as welcome news.