Jon Bernthal Explains How SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY Connects to His “High Octane” PUNISHER Special Presentation
Fans have been eager to understand how Marvel Studios plans to weave Frank Castle into the expanding MCU tapestry, especially after Jon Bernthal made his official return as The Punisher in Daredevil: Born Again.
With Spider-Man: Brand New Day on the horizon and a standalone Punisher Special Presentation set for Disney+ in 2026, the big question has been how these projects will intersect. Now Bernthal is offering some insight.
The actor is currently set to appear in Tom Holland’s upcoming Spider-Man film and also headline his own Disney+ special. While the two projects operate with different tones and ratings, Bernthal says the team worked hard to make them feel connected.
Speaking with ScreenRant, he revealed that he collaborated closely with Holland and filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton to create a seamless journey for Frank Castle between the movie and the special.
Bernthal said: "Around that same time, there will also be this Punisher special that's coming out, that I think will be as high-octane Punisher as you've ever seen.”
"I think what was really important to me and to Destin and to Tom is that we believed that The Punisher could walk off of the Spider-Man set and could walk onto the special set, and I do believe that we achieved that."
While it might suggest the Punisher Special Presentation could drop shortly after Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters next July, it still appears more likely that Marvel intends for the special to fill the space between Daredevil: Born Again and Spidey’s new adventure.
Marvel Studios has kept its release date locked away for now, though past reports point to a window close to Born Again Season 2.
Bernthal also opened up earlier this year about the emotional fuel behind the project and the responsibility he feels while shaping Frank Castle’s story, which he is co-writing with Reinaldo Marcus Green.
"For the Marine Corps. and that community for helping me on this journey. Helping me write, helping me find this character; some of the best people that we have in this country have worn that Punisher skull on their body armour when they've taken that unbelievable walk into danger to stand up for our country."
He continued, "That's something that I take enormously seriously, and I make the show for them; I make it with them. I just really, really want to get it right."
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, returning to Marvel after helming Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The script comes from franchise veterans Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers.
Holland leads the cast, which also includes Bernthal as The Punisher, Mark Ruffalo, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Michael Mando, Marvin Jones III, Jacob Batalon, Liza Colón-Zayas, and more. Florence Pugh is also expected to appear as Yelena Belova following her role in Thunderbolts.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into theaters July 31, 2026.