Actor Jon Bernthal has made his highly anticipated return as Frank Castle/The Punisher in episode 4 of "Daredevil: Born Again," marking his first appearance as the character since 2019. The intense reunion scene with Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock serves as a teaser for bigger things to come, including a standalone Punisher TV special for Disney+.
In an exclusive interview, Bernthal revealed that his return to the role almost didn't happen. The actor initially walked away from early versions of "Born Again" that didn't align with his vision for the character. However, after creative changes behind the scenes, including bringing in former "Punisher" showrunner Dario Scardapane, Marvel collaborated closely with Bernthal to develop the character's return.
"Sometimes you have to be very clear with your intentions in this business," Bernthal explained. "You can't get confused with how much you love something. You got to make sure you're serving it."
The upcoming Punisher special, which Bernthal wrote himself, promises to deliver a raw and uncompromising take on the character. Working with director Reinaldo Marcus Green, Bernthal aims to present a "visceral, psychologically complex, unforgiving, no-holds-barred version of Frank."
The actor emphasized that the special will explore the true cost of violence, staying true to the character's dark nature while avoiding any attempts at lightening the tone. "We're going to see that cost," Bernthal stated, expressing gratitude for Marvel's support in pursuing his vision.
Beyond his brief appearance in "Daredevil: Born Again," Bernthal is set to continue Frank Castle's story in the show's second season. The actor's increased creative involvement suggests a promising future for the character within Marvel's streaming universe.
For fans of the character, Bernthal's return represents a commitment to maintaining the Punisher's complex psychological profile while pushing the boundaries of storytelling within the Marvel universe.