Of all the Marvel TV productions from the post-‘Avengers’ era MCU, the shows that most people responded to in a big way and hoped would see them interact with the film counterparts are the “Defenders” dramas from Netflix, which includes “Daredevil,” “Iron Fist,” “Luke Cage,” “Jessica Jones,” and “The Punisher.” And while it doesn’t seem as if Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios have any plans for those characters showing up anytime soon in a film or Disney+ series, actor Jon Bernthal isn’t done hoping.
Speaking to Geek House Show (interview below), Bernthal was asked if there’s any chance that his Frank Castle character from “The Punisher” will show up in a future MCU series or film. And though he has hope that the fan response to the character means there’s more appearances down the line, the actor doesn’t really know what’s going on. But he has hope.
“I think with that, there’s always hope, you know?” said Bernthal. “It’s unbelievably humbling how much people responded to this version of Frank. I can’t tell you how much he means to me. He’s in my blood. He’s in my bones. And for me, it’s not really a question ever with this kind of stuff about whether you get the opportunity to do it or not…It’s not about whether we do it, it’s about doing it right. And doing the version the fans really deserve.”
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He continued, “We’ll see. All of those decisions are made in rooms I’m not invited into. That’s okay with me…When we get the call to go, I’ll be ready. And I’ll do everything I can to make sure we do it right or we don’t do it at all.”
Of course, having “The Punisher” series connect to the larger MCU would actually open the doors to the other Netflix/Marvel TV productions doing the same, and that really does seem unlikely to happen. That said, of those series, “The Punisher” might be the most solid, as far as a standalone drama. Now, there is the other caveat about the character and the recent politicization of the skull symbol that he’s famous for. With police and others using the symbol as some sort of badge proving how “badass” they are, any new series or film with The Punisher showing up does carry a bit of baggage. And we know Marvel Studios isn’t necessarily the studio that is going to try to spark some controversy.
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File this under “fans are hoping, but it seems unlikely.” Sorry, Mr. Bernthal.
